LEÓN, GTO.- New foreign trade rules are changing the way the automotive industry operates in Mexico, marked by a more demanding customs environment where compliance, traceability and auditing have become central elements for the competitiveness of this sector, one of the most important in the country.
During the panel “Playing under new rules: customs reform and logistics competitiveness”, held at the second edition of the Road 2 Logistics Automotive 2026 of the Industrial Cluster , Gimena León, Industrial Services Procurement Coordinator of Pirelli Mexico, warned that it is no longer enough to know the regulatory changes, but that organizations must translate them into procedures, responsibilities and control systems that allow them to maintain operational continuity in the face of stricter oversight.
“The challenge is to translate that change into processes, times, movements and the definition of responsibilities within the organization,” León emphasized.
In her remarks, she explained that the reform to the Customs Law, which came into effect in 2026, is driving the digitization of processes and greater integration between corporate systems and government platforms . She also highlighted that authorities are using data analytics tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen audits and detect inconsistencies in foreign trade operations.
One of the panel’s main messages was that any non-compliance can become a logistical problem . An additional review, an incorrect tariff classification, or a documentation error could lead to delays, storage costs, and even halt the flow of materials to the production lines.
This issue becomes even more relevant in an industry that relies on highly integrated supply chains. Mexico maintains a strategic position within the North American automotive sector. In 2025 alone, 3,953,494 vehicles were produced and 3,385,785 units were exported, according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) .
During the panel, it was highlighted that regulatory pressure is also forcing companies to review the regional content of their products and their certificates of origin. Traceability has ceased to be a competitive advantage and has become an essential requirement for accessing the trade benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .
In that regard, Ramón Ruvalcaba, Supply Chain Director at Kasai Mexicana , agreed on the point about digitalization and modernization, and considered that given the high dependence on foreign inputs, the focus should be on regional content.
“We must focus on adding regional content and mastering the rules to minimize costs, because any impact goes directly to the market. So, as long as we remain in this situation, with this dependence on foreign countries, we have to work hard on regional content, on adding value in assembly and manufacturing,” he emphasized.
Participants felt that companies are no longer just looking for suppliers capable of delivering on time, but for partners who can demonstrate documentary compliance, responsiveness, and transparency in the origin of their inputs .
Another point addressed was the increase in customs inspection times. According to Gimena León, processes that previously could be completed in 24 or 48 hours now face more detailed reviews related to the value, tariff classification, and origin of the goods, extending the time to more than 48 hours. This has led several companies to increase safety stock levels to avoid production interruptions.
The expert indicated that maintaining larger inventories adds more costs. In addition to tied-up capital, companies must absorb expenses related to storage, delays, and potential penalties. Therefore, visibility across the logistics chain becomes a determining factor in balancing compliance and efficiency.
The panelists also agreed that foreign trade can no longer be handled solely by a specialized department. Finance, purchasing, logistics, production, legal, and foreign trade must all work under a unified strategy .
In this context, Francisco Méndez Aguiñaga, director general of the Bajío region’s Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) , stated that foreign trade has already changed, and therefore, past procedures are no longer sufficient for the present and future. Given this, he urged the strengthening of processes through the integration of different departments .
The importance of strengthening these capabilities is reflected in the current economic context. According to the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) , in 2025, customs revenue registered a real increase of 15.5% compared to the same period in 2024, totaling a cash flow of 1,449,461.35 million pesos.
The panel discussed the challenge facing the automotive industry in maintaining agile supply chains in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
The conclusion was clear: competitiveness will not depend solely on producing more or reducing costs . The ability to integrate information, guarantee compliance, and ensure the continuity of supply chains will determine which companies manage to adapt to the new rules of international trade.
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