Mexico’s Ministry of Economy has issued a bulletin easing restrictions on temporary imports under the IMMEX program that were announced in December in an effort to protect the Mexican textiles and apparel industries.
A decree issued by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum last month increased from 20-25 percent to 35 percent the import duty on 138 apparel products and 17 made-up textiles of Chapters 63 and 94, and from 10 percent to 15 percent the import duty on 17 tariff headings related to textiles. The decree also excluded certain finished products from temporary importation under IMMEX, which facilitates the deferral of duties on the importation of raw materials and components used in the production of goods destined for export. These exclusions include finished clothing and textile articles classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule Chapters 61, 62, and 63; quilts and comforters classified under HTS subheading 9404.40; and pillows, cushions, and other bedding materials classified under HTS subheading 9404.90.
According to ST&R’s translation of the ministry bulletin, the IMMEX measures will be suspended with respect to companies that:
• Are registered in the Business Certification Scheme for Value-Added Tax maintained by Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT) and have not had their registration suspended or canceled;
• authorize Mexican authorities to have online access to their automated inventory control system;
• only carry out import operations with respect to tariff lines they imported during the most recent calendar year; and
• submit proof of compliance with these requirements as part of their application to the ministry.
Further, this flexibility will be rescinded if the company is found not to be in compliance with any requirement of the IMMEX program or the new decree. It appears that the ministry will accept applications for this flexibility through July 13 and that, once granted, it will remain in effect indefinitely.
