# Mexico (MX) **Capital:** Mexico City **Currency:** Mexican Peso (MXN) (MXN) **Population:** 129,875,529 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 1,972,550 km² > Mexico is North America's central industrial and nearshoring hub, with dense road and rail corridors to the USA and major Pacific ports (Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas). The import IVA is 16 percent, and clearance is handled electronically via VUCEM/ANAM. For Swiss exporters, the EFTA-Mexico free trade agreement applies with origin preferences. Mexico (MX) is North America's manufacturing and nearshoring hub, linking the country's production regions with the US market and the Pacific routes to Asia. Mexico is part of the USMCA/T-MEC free trade area (not a customs union); customs clearance is electronic via a pedimento through the single window VUCEM under the customs authority ANAM, and import VAT (IVA) is 16 percent on the customs value plus import duty (IGI) and the customs processing fee (DTA). The main cargo airports are Felipe Ángeles (AIFA/NLU), Mexico City (MEX), Guadalajara (GDL) and Monterrey (MTY); the largest container port is Manzanillo (around 3.9 million TEU in 2025), complemented by Lázaro Cárdenas on the Pacific and Veracruz and Altamira on the Gulf of Mexico. Key corridors are Nuevo Laredo–Monterrey–Mexico City, the Bajío industrial belt and the Ferromex/GMXT and CPKC rail networks towards the US. Main exports are vehicles and parts, electronics, machinery and petroleum products; key partners are the US, Canada, China and Germany. Swiss exporters benefit from the EFTA-Mexico free trade agreement (in force since 2001). **Top Import Partners:** US, KR, DE, JP **Top Export Partners:** US, CA, CN, DE, JP **Top Import Goods:** Electronic devices, Machinery, Mineral oils, Vehicles, Plastics **Top Export Goods:** Vehicles, Equipment, Machinery, Petroleum products, Apparatus **Key Airports:** - [Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/benito-juarez-international-airport-mex) - [Cancún International Airport (CUN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cancun-international-airport-cun) - [Cozumel International Airport (CZM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cozumel-international-airport-czm) - [General Abelardo L. Rodriguez International Airport (TIJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/general-abelardo-l-rodriguez-international-airport-tij) - [General Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/general-felipe-angeles-international-airport-nlu) - [General Guadalupe Victoria International Airport (DGO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/general-guadalupe-victoria-international-airport-dgo) - [General Rafael Buelna International Airport (MZT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/general-rafael-buelna-international-airport-mzt) - [Guadalajara International Airport (GDL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/guadalajara-international-airport-gdl) - [Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/los-cabos-international-airport-sjd) - [Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/manuel-crescencio-rejon-international-airport-mid) **Key Seaports:** - [Altamira (MXATM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/altamira-port-mxatm) - [Acapulco (MX ACA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/acapulco-port-mx-aca) - [Ensenada (MX ESE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/ensenada-port-mx-ese) - [Manzanillo (MX ZLO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/manzanillo-port-mx-zlo) - [Mazatlan (MX MZT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/mazatlan-port-mx-mzt) - [Puerto Progreso (MXPGO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/puerto-progreso-port-mxpgo) - [Tampico (MXTAM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/tampico-port-mxtam) - [Tuxpan (MXTUX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/tuxpan-port-mxtux) - [Veracruz (MX VER)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/veracruz-port-mx-ver) - [Campeche (MX CPE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/campeche-port-mx-cpe) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Standard IVA rate 16 percent (northern border region reduced to 8 percent via stimulus, valid until 31.12.2026). Imports are always 16 percent on customs value plus IGI plus DTA. **Customs complexity:** medium to high **Customs system:** Electronic Pedimento via VUCEM (Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior); since the 2026 customs reform, stronger digital control by ANAM. **Customs authority:** [Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de Mexico (ANAM) / SAT](https://www.anam.gob.mx) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Industrial and nearshoring hub for North America **Economic area:** USMCA/T-MEC (free trade area); EFTA and EU FTA **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium to high **Pharma/cold chain:** high ## FAQ ### What is the import VAT rate in Mexico? IVA is normally 16 percent on the customs value plus import duty (IGI) and the customs processing fee (DTA). A reduced 8 percent rate applies to certain domestic sales in the northern border region, but imports are always taxed at 16 percent. ### Do Swiss exporters benefit from a free trade agreement? Yes. The EFTA-Mexico free trade agreement has been in force since 1 July 2001. With a valid proof of origin (EUR.1 or origin declaration) preferential tariffs apply. A modernisation of the agreement is under negotiation. ### How does customs clearance work in Mexico? Clearance is electronic via the single window (VUCEM) using a pedimento under the customs authority ANAM. Using a licensed customs broker (agente aduanal) is common practice. The 2026 customs reform has strengthened digital oversight. ### What are Mexico's main ports? Manzanillo is the largest container port (about 3.9 million TEU in 2025), followed by Lazaro Cardenas on the Pacific coast. On the Gulf of Mexico, Veracruz and Altamira are the key ports for trade with Europe. ### What are the main air cargo hubs? Most air cargo in the Mexico City area now runs through Felipe Angeles airport (AIFA/NLU) after the relocation, complemented by Mexico City airport (AICM/MEX), Guadalajara and Monterrey. ### What supply chain risks should be considered? Consider periodic congestion at Manzanillo, a regionally elevated cargo theft risk in road transport, and the hurricane season from June to November. Careful routing, partner selection and insurance are recommended. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.anam.gob.mx](https://www.anam.gob.mx) - [https://www.sat.gob.mx/minisitio/EstimulosFiscalesFronteraNorteSur/documentos/PreguntasFrecuentes.pdf](https://www.sat.gob.mx/minisitio/EstimulosFiscalesFronteraNorteSur/documentos/PreguntasFrecuentes.pdf) - [http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LIVA.pdf](http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LIVA.pdf) - [https://www.anam.gob.mx/](https://www.anam.gob.mx/) - [https://www.ventanillaunica.gob.mx/vucem/](https://www.ventanillaunica.gob.mx/vucem/) - [https://www.anam.gob.mx/boletin_informativo_02_2026/](https://www.anam.gob.mx/boletin_informativo_02_2026/) - [https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/mexico](https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/mexico) - [https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mexico/eu-mexico-agreement_en](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mexico/eu-mexico-agreement_en) *Last verified: 2026-07-19* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/mx](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/mx)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/mx](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/mx)*