In an environment of uncertainty, insecurity and cost overruns, industry leaders agreed that logistics in Mexico is facing one of its most complex, but also decisive, moments for its transformation.

During the dialogue panel “Mexican Logistics in 2026: Between Resilience and Competitiveness” , at the Forum of the National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV) , Osiel Cruz Pacheco,  CEO of Grupo T21 , acknowledged the role of logistics entrepreneurs, whom he described as “heroes” who keep commerce operating in an adverse environment.

However, he was also emphatic that Mexico still has not managed to reduce its logistics costs to levels that are competitive with more advanced economies.

Insufficient infrastructure, outdated toll systems, downtime on roads and in ports, as well as regulatory burdens, are part of a “salad of factors” that increase the cost of logistics operations and directly affect the end consumer.

From the perspective of importers and exporters, Javier Lagunes , president of the National Association of Importers and Exporters of the Mexican Republic (ANIERM) , stated that the country is going through an evolutionary process forced by global competition.

Among the main challenges, he highlighted the need to clearly define the roles within the logistics chain, the lack of concrete actions to solve structural problems, and the urgency of generating effective public policies.

Even so, he stressed that Mexico has a privileged position to become a key logistics hub , provided it manages to correct its weaknesses.

For his part, Fernando Con y Ledesma , president of the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents (Amanac) , emphasized that one of the main obstacles is the lack of alignment among the actors in the logistics chain.

“The challenge is to put aside individual interests in order to build collective efficiency,” he said.

Furthermore, he proposed promoting a national initiative under the concept of “Safe Mexico” , with the aim of improving international perception and generating more reliable conditions for trade.

Rising costs and operational uncertainty

From the Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (Amacarga) , its president, Eva Muñoz, offered one of the most critical diagnoses: insecurity has completely transformed the logistics operation .

Today, he explained, companies face increased theft and violence, higher insurance premiums, a need for security and constant monitoring, and an inability to maintain stable rates.

This has eliminated practices such as just-in-time , forcing a redesign of routes, schedules, and operational strategies, which directly impacts costs and efficiency.

In this context, Luis Villatoro , president of ANERPV, highlighted the role of technology as a central element in mitigating risks.

He noted that the use of artificial intelligence , telemetry, and tracking systems has improved vehicle recovery and strengthened traceability. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with authorities, which has led to the development of analytical frameworks, incident reports, and critical points.

Intermodal: progress, but with structural challenges

Luis Hernández, president of the Mexican Association of Intermodal Transport (AMTI) , presented a more optimistic outlook for intermodal transport, with progress in the use of rail and greater integration with ports and borders.

However, he warned that structural problems persist , such as complex customs processes, a lack of standardization between ports and regions, and increased regulatory costs.

Added to this is the need to redefine Mexico’s role in an environment of regionalized trade, where economic blocs are becoming more relevant.

Participants agreed that the transformation of the sector involves the use of data for decision-making; training and certification of talent ; adoption of new technologies; and greater collaboration between associations and authorities.

In particular, the importance of professionalizing all levels of the logistics chain and generating reliable information to design more effective strategies was highlighted.

In conclusion, the consensus was clear that without security and legal certainty, logistics competitiveness is limited; since insecurity hinders investment, damages the country’s international image, increases operating costs, and limits the sector’s growth.

Despite this, the final tone was optimistic. The industry acknowledged the challenges, but also its capacity for adaptation.

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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.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Jennifer Galindo / @GrupoT21

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