Marcelo Ebrard, head of the Ministry of Economy (SE) , announced that a decree will be published prohibiting the temporary importation of finished footwear under the Program for the Promotion of the Manufacturing, Maquiladora and Export Services Industry (IMMEX) , due to the abuse of this measure, as well as simulation that has affected this sector, so now they will pay a tariff of at least 25 percent .
At the event, held in León, Guanajuato, Ebrard indicated that the measure will go into effect “in the coming days, following this announcement,” adding that an investigation by the Ministry of Economy and Trade (SE) found a 159% increase in the volume of finished footwear entering the country under the IMMEX scheme.
The federal official pointed out that between 2019 and 2024, industrial activity fell by 12.8 percent . The main reason was the temporary importation of finished products.
He noted that as a result of the above, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum “instructed us to prepare a decree stating that Mexico will no longer allow the temporary importation of footwear products into our country.”
This means that finished footwear that does not pay taxes will no longer be imported into Mexico.
The purpose of this measure, which is in line with Plan Mexico’s aim to protect this sector, is to ensure that the Mexican footwear industry does not face disadvantageous conditions compared to products imported from other countries.
Ebrard pointed out that the next objective is to combat technical smuggling .
“How does that work? Underpricing, lying to the authorities, selling shoes. Well, I’ve been around some stores where I see truly ridiculously low shoe prices. It’s obviously technical smuggling. So, let’s move on to the next step: technical smuggling,” he emphasized.
The Secretary of Economy emphasized that the Mexican footwear industry is one of the most important sectors in the country, with between 120,000 and 130,000 direct workers . “There are even more indirect workers.”
He considered it a strategic error to buy a very cheap product that undermines the national industry, since “importing cheap products is deceptive; it destroys Mexican industry. It’s not good for us. It’s a short-term indulgence,” which generates unemployment.
It should be remembered that the provision was requested by the National Chamber of the Footwear Industry (Canaical) .
According to figures from that organization, imports under the IMMEX scheme increased from 3.79 million pairs in 2022 to more than 40 million in 2024, which has affected the Mexican footwear industry.
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