In the context of RECO ‘s 30th anniversary , specialists from the public and private sectors agreed that the reform to the Customs Law in Mexico does not only represent a regulatory change, but a profound transformation in the way foreign trade operates, based on technology, compliance and transparency.
During the panel “The reform of the Customs Law and its implications for foreign trade” , Zaira Biridiana Luján Guevara, Director of Customs Operations at the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) , explained that one of the central axes is the digitization of processes and the incorporation of advanced technologies to strengthen traceability and eradicate practices such as evasion and corruption.
“The intention is to build a more robust and equitable system, but we need the participation of all actors: importers, customs agents and the authorities,” he said.
From an operational perspective, Javier Alejandro Dávila Chávez, Director of National Operations at ADUAX , emphasized that the reform implies a change of mindset: moving from a corrective logic to a preventive one .
“Today, customs compliance must anticipate the operation. Technology, prevention at the source, and compliance as a business asset are key factors,” he stated.
In this regard, he highlighted that more and more companies are strengthening controls from the beginning of the chain, including inspections at origin and the integration of complete digital files before dispatch, which reduces the risk of fines, delays and additional costs.
For his part, Antonio De la Rosa, ambassador of Grupo Inversor Veracruzano (GRIVER) , considered that, although the customs reform increases the pressure on the actors in the sector, it also opens an opportunity to organize the operation .
“The responsibility has always been there, but now it is more evident. The customs agent ceases to be just a manager and becomes an assistant to the authority,” he explained.
This new approach also implies greater involvement of the importer, who must be actively involved in aspects such as the valuation and classification of goods .
“They cannot completely delegate the operation; they must know their products and their fiscal and legal impact,” he added.
Similarly, Baruc de la Fuente Lozada, Legal Business Partner at GRIVER, emphasized that the use of technology and transparency will be key to building companies that are trustworthy in the eyes of the authorities.
“A clear, traceable operation that adheres to the standard generates certainty and facilitates recognition as a reliable operator,” he noted.
In the financial sector, Vicente Alberto Vargas Acevedo of HSBC Mexico highlighted that the reform to the Customs Law also impacts guarantee mechanisms , such as customs accounts. Although it opens the possibility of operating through letters of credit, there are still regulatory aspects to be defined.
“There are working groups with authorities and banks to refine these processes and move towards more efficient, including electronic, schemes,” he explained.
The panelists agreed that the concept of traceability of goods, processes and financial resources becomes non-negotiable in the new regulatory environment.
Technological adoption, strict compliance, and shared responsibility among stakeholders will make the difference between those who adapt successfully and those who face greater risks in their operations.
It is worth remembering that the reform to the Customs Law, which came into effect on January 1st, introduces changes that seek to modernize processes, strengthen oversight and close loopholes for smuggling and evasion in Mexican customs.
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