🇲🇽 Everything you need to sell in Mexico
Mexico is one of the fastest-growing ecommerce markets in Latin America. Amazon.com.mx and Mercado Libre are the dominant platforms. Mexican consumers increasingly shop online, with mobile commerce growing rapidly. Mexico has a 16% VAT (IVA) system and specific customs requirements. The CUSMA/USMCA trade agreement facilitates cross-border trade with the US and Canada.
🛃 Customs Notes
USD 50 duty-free threshold for postal imports. NOM certification required for many products. Spanish-language labeling mandatory. CUSMA/USMCA preferential rates for qualifying US/Canada goods.
Compliance Topics
📊 VAT (IVA - Impuesto al Valor Agregado)
Mexican VAT (IVA) standard rate is 16%. Border region has a reduced rate of 8%. Non-resident digital services providers must register for IVA and appoint a Mexican fiscal representative. SAT (Servicio de Administracion Tributaria) administers taxes. Digital platforms must withhold IVA for non-resident sellers.
- •Standard IVA rate: 16% (8% in border region)
- •Non-resident digital services providers must register for IVA
- •Mexican fiscal representative required for non-resident businesses
- •SAT (Servicio de Administracion Tributaria) administers taxes
- •Digital platforms must withhold IVA for non-resident sellers
- •Monthly IVA returns filed via SAT portal
🚢 Customs & Import Duties
Mexico's duty-free threshold is USD 50 for customs duty on postal imports. Import duties based on HTS code and country of origin. IVA at 16% on imports. Mexico's customs authority (Aduana de Mexico) manages import procedures. CUSMA/USMCA provides preferential tariff treatment for qualifying goods from the US and Canada.
- •Duty-free threshold: USD 50 for postal imports
- •Import duties vary by HTS code and country of origin
- •IVA: 16% on customs value + duties
- •Aduana de Mexico manages customs procedures
- •CUSMA/USMCA: preferential rates for qualifying US/Canada goods
- •Mexican customs broker (agente aduanal) often required for commercial imports
🛡️ Product Safety & Labeling
Mexico requires NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) certification for many product categories including electronics, textiles, and food products. Spanish-language labeling is mandatory. COFEPRIS (Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks) oversees health-related products. PROFECO (Federal Consumer Protection Agency) handles consumer protection.
- •NOM certification required for electronics, textiles, food products
- •Spanish-language labeling mandatory
- •COFEPRIS oversees health-related products (cosmetics, food, medical devices)
- •PROFECO handles consumer protection and product safety
- •Electrical products require NOM compliance mark
- •Specific labeling requirements for food products (NOM-051)
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🔒 Data Privacy
Mexico's data protection is governed by the Federal Law on Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties (LFPDPPP). The INAI (National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data Protection) oversees compliance. Mexico has strict consent requirements and specific rules on cross-border data transfers.
- •LFPDPPP: primary privacy law for private sector
- •INAI oversees data protection compliance
- •Privacy notice (aviso de privacidad) mandatory
- •Consent required for data collection and processing
- •Cross-border transfers require informed consent
- •Spanish-language privacy policy required
🛒 Marketplace Rules
Amazon.com.mx and Mercado Libre are the dominant marketplaces in Mexico. Mercado Libre has a strong local presence with MercadoPago payments. Amazon FBA Mexico is available for cross-border sellers. Mexican consumers expect Spanish-language support. The Federal Consumer Protection Law (PROFECO) applies to all marketplace transactions.
- •Amazon.com.mx: growing marketplace, FBA Mexico available
- •Mercado Libre: dominant Latin American marketplace, MercadoPago payments
- •Walmart Mexico marketplace: growing presence
- •Spanish-language product listings mandatory
- •PROFECO consumer protection applies to all transactions
- •Marketplace facilitator IVA rules apply
Top Product Categories
Official Sources
This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal, tax, or compliance advice. Consult a qualified professional and check official sources before making decisions.