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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With the goal of strengthening the national fashion and footwear industry and addressing growing Asian competition , Mercado Libre is advancing its Development Poles initiative in Latin America , announcing the consolidation of four strategic poles in Mexico this year.

According to the company’s statement, this initiative seeks to boost geographic areas with a high concentration of manufacturers by offering them personalized support to integrate into the Mercado Libre marketplace and scale their digital operations.

The strategy is based on two fronts: the incorporation of new sellers through consulting, technological tools, and commercial benefits; and the acceleration and growth of manufacturers already selling on the platform through support with visibility, audiovisual content, promotions, and consulting.

Since its launch in 2023, this model has had very positive results in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, with 13 hubs already active and 10 more in the process of launching in the region.

These hubs have proven effective in improving the offering of on-trend products, with competitive prices and high-speed delivery, allowing Mercado Libre to gain preference over Asian brands that cannot offer quality local products with fast delivery.

In this sense, Mercado Libre will open Mixcalco in Mexico City in 2025, a location known for its affordable clothing market, which concentrates more than 1,500 merchants in an area of ​​15,000 m2.

The second hub will be León, Guanajuato , the center of footwear and leather goods production, with 2,500 factories and more than 10,000 merchants.

Guadalajara, Jalisco , will also be a development hub, especially in Zapotlanejo, where more than 400 manufacturers and 2,000 textile and fashion stores operate.

Finally, Moroleón, Guanajuato , one of the most important centers of the textile industry in Mexico, especially recognized for its production of high-end fabric with approximately one thousand factories.

These centers will receive support through consulting packages , bonuses, commission discounts, and visual content production to strengthen their online presence.

In addition, there are plans to expand this network with future hubs in Puebla and Yucatán , currently in the scouting stage.

So far this April, the team in charge of this initiative in Mexico has already held two key events in Moroleón and León, with the participation of more than 170 local manufacturers interested in joining the program and starting to sell on Mercado Libre.

Currently, there are more than 1,500 Mexican manufacturers active on the platform , demonstrating the potential and interest of the national ecosystem to digitize and grow.

“At Mercado Libre, we believe that the future of e-commerce in Mexico is closely tied to the development and digitalization of domestic manufacturers. With this program, we seek to support local manufacturers in Guanajuato so they can access new business opportunities by digitizing their processes and connecting with more buyers throughout the country and the region,” said Luis Pedraza, Commercial Director of Mercado Libre.

Mercado Libre’s commitment to retail hubs not only promotes local economic development but also improves the consumer experience with greater variety, better prices, and faster deliveries.

This initiative is part of a long-term vision to strengthen the fashion sector’s value chain in Mexico and the region.

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