Non-tariff regulations and restrictions

Import Permits

The Ministries of Economy, Health and Agriculture, among others, may require a prior import permit or license on certain products considered sensitive. These requirements are published on the Diario Oficial de la Federación and may be found on any of the ministries web pages. Additionally, customs brokers can provide this information.
Ministry of Economy
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Agriculture
Contact a Mexican broker at www.caaarem.org.mx

Quotas

When NAFTA entered into force, the quota certificate of importation was established to control the quotas agreed under NAFTA'S protection. The term “quota” means a specific quantity of merchandise which can enter duty-free at the moment of the importation over a certain period.
These certificates are issued by the Ministry of Economy in official paper and are given to the companies through a competitive bidding or a direct allocation.

Standards, testing labeling and certification
Companies must show compliance with mandatory Mexican standards, known as Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOMs). They are developed by the Mexican Bureau of Standards (Direccion General de Normas) which is part of the Ministry of Economy. There are two categories of NOMs: product performance and/or product safety (applicable to products such as building and construction materials, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment); specific commercial information which must be marked on products sold to consumers (such as labeling requirements). Not all products are subject to NOM compliance.

Under Chapter IX of the NAFTA, Mexico, the US, and Canada agreed to provide national treatment in standards related issues. National treatment means that locally manufactured products will have to comply with the same requirements as imported ones.

Specific NOM requirements are listed by harmonized tariff system (HTS or HS) code numbers. If a product is covered by an HTS code with a mandatory NOM it must be tested in laboratories accredited by Mexico, found to comply with the applicable NOM, and receive a certificate attesting that the product complies with the applicable NOM. Laboratory test results are sent to Mexican certification bodies that issue a certificate of compliance. The certificate of compliance is presented to Mexican customs officials at the entry point into Mexico.

The Mexican government publishes lists and updates of HTS code numbers with the corresponding NOMs to be complied with. The Ministry of the Economy publishes the main list. The same lists describe situations under which products do not have to comply with mandatory standards.

The actual text of most standards can be downloaded from the web page of the Mexican Bureau of Standards (DGN). In this section one can search for mandatory and voluntary standards by generic product name, HTS code number, standard title, or by the government ministry that issues the standard. At this same web site, one can also download a list of accredited test laboratories and verification units (for labeling NOMs), and a list of product certification bodies.

Additionally, customs brokers and agents generally have the information about NOMs that must be complied with to import into Mexico, as well as other regulatory requirements for importation.