In a new FreightWaves article, Carlos Barbosa, Vice President of eCommerce Solutions at ePost Global, discussed how Mexico’s recent tariff increase on Chinese imports and stricter customs data requirements are reshaping U.S.-Mexico e-commerce fulfillment strategies.
Barbosa explained the scope of the policy changes and their immediate impact on U.S. sellers:
“In August, President Claudia Sheinbaum made changes under the Plan Nacional de Desarrollo,” Barbosa said. “Everything coming in from China, instead of the 19% tariff, went up to 33.5% – and it could be even more for some products. At the same time, we started getting requests from our customs broker in Mexico that now we have to provide the seller’s U.S. tax ID or EIN, along with the consignee’s [Mexican tax ID]. So now both sides of the transaction must be declared.”
He noted that enforcement has been inconsistent across ports of entry:
“Sometimes it’s the interpretation by the customs agent or depending on where you’re clearing customs. One entry point can behave very differently than another,” he said. “Some courier networks treat U.S.-fulfilled parcels under USMCA and exempt under $50, while others charge the full tariff. There’s ambiguity in how some networks apply it.”
Barbosa added that these developments are prompting U.S. retailers to rethink how they use Mexico as a nearshoring hub:
“Maybe it’s not worth the hassle,” Barbosa said. “It’s pushing more people to bring inventory to the U.S., fulfill and clear it here, and avoid those massive fines if you get caught doing something wrong. More stuff will start here and stay here, less going to Mexico for re-export.”
