The Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) published this Wednesday an agreement that regulates the granting of permanent permits for international motor transportation companies that wish to operate in national territory, mainly in the United States and Canada, an activity that has historically been carried out in a reduced way, despite being openly contemplated in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and now in the Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC).
The Agreement that regulates the permanent modality of the International Cargo Transportation service for carriers from the United States of America and Canada , published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , presents details of the requirements and procedures to be carried out by of the interested parties.
The document establishes the requirements and procedures necessary for the issuance of permits, and which is expected to provide legal certainty to foreign carriers and transparency in the authorization process.
According to data from the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) , of the SICT, at the end of May 2024, there were 358 companies authorized to offer international motor transport services. Of these, 350 corresponded to American companies, the remaining eight are Canadian companies; Together they add up to a universe of 5,540 motor transport units.
Among the measures that were ruled in the agreement, the highlight was that foreign applicants must carry out the process in person before the Directorate of Federal Motor Transport Services Procedures, dependent on the DGAF.
As well as in the Federal Motor Transportation Departments assigned by the SICT Centers in Baja California (Tijuana or Mexicali), Sonora (Nogales or San Luis Río Colorado), Coahuila (Piedras Negras), Nuevo León (Monterrey) or Tamaulipas (Nuevo Laredo). , Matamoros or Reynosa).
The procedure may be requested only by the applicant, or through a legal representative, and for its origin, they must have prior registration with the authority. Another important topic is that the process must be carried out in Spanish , in this sense, to facilitate the process and compliance with the requirements, the SICT will enable a guide in English.
Applicants will be able to pre-register by entering the DGAF electronic portal. Once completed, the system will assign a folio number with which the application can be tracked.
“The permit issued under the modality of the International Cargo Transportation service authorizes the operation of the specialized cargo transportation service, however, it does not allow the operation of the motor transportation services of passengers, tourism, funds and securities, industrial cranes. , auxiliary trawling and rescue services, nor domestic services in any of their modalities,” according to the DOF publication.
Among the paperwork that the authority requires from applicants is documentation that proves the ownership or legal possession of the vehicle, as well as a current insurance policy issued by an insurer established in Mexico , with coverage throughout the Mexican Republic for the Federal Public Service and valid for at least one year.
Another notable requirement is the possession of a document issued by the manufacturer stating that the vehicle has an auxiliary engine brake, as well as an anti-lock braking system, in accordance with the provisions of NOM-012-SCT-2-2017. , Regarding the maximum weight and dimensions with which motor transport vehicles traveling on general communication routes under federal jurisdiction can circulate.
Once the authority has reviewed the required documentation and, if applicable, the resolution is positive, the vehicles will be registered. “Individually, vehicles for the international cargo transportation service will be equipped with metal vehicle identification plates (two plates per unit), registration card and stickers. Once the permit is obtained, the applicant may register additional vehicles for the permit,” the SICT stressed.
In its eighth chapter, the aforementioned agreement emphasized that in the event that the vehicles are operated by drivers with a Commercial Driver License issued by the United States or Canada, once the permit is obtained (which will be valid for two years) , the permit holder must send to the General Directorate of Protection and Preventive Medicine in Transportation (DGPMPT) , a list of drivers who wish to register to operate in Mexico accompanied by the documentation required by the authority.
Among the driver’s obligations, it was detailed that he must carry at all times the original registration card, metal identification plates, a current insurance policy, a current certificate of low emission of pollutants, and a current temporary import request for trailers, semi-trailers and container ships .
As well as a valid commercial driver’s license, original hours of service log, duly completed, and documentation that proves that they are legally hired by a transportation company in the United States or Canada.
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