For companies in the Manufacturing, Maquiladora and Export Services Industry (IMMEX) and the Mexican export sector, the publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) of the reform to the Customs Law, on November 19, represents a new stage, which, although it brings with it technological advances in customs matters and the incorporation of digital tools, on the other hand creates an environment of legal uncertainty for foreign trade actors , considered Manuel Carrasco, director of the Foreign Trade Committee of Index Chihuahua .

The specialist pointed out that the considerable increases in sanctions and fines do little to favor national competitiveness , putting the continuity of operations at risk due to the possible application of aggressive sanctioning criteria, where the authority obtains greater powers of supervision, verification and discretion.

The Mexican foreign trade ecosystem is at a turning point. While the global economy demands greater competitiveness and more agile processes, the recent approval of the reform to the Customs Law has set off alarm bells in the export sector. The industry perceives in this new legal framework a shift that, while seeking to combat corruption, tax avoidance and evasion, focuses efforts on compliance and traceability of each operation.

In an interview with T21, Carrasco pointed out that the new regulations “give a more supervisory touch” to operations, to the detriment of the fluidity that exporting companies need .

According to the executive, the Customs Law seeks to counteract corruption, an issue that the sector recognizes as a priority and must be “addressed in an important, direct and strong manner,” however, there is concern regarding the new provisions, particularly concerning fines and penalties .

“Exorbitant fines are being considered for minor, even simple, errors,” he stated. This, coupled with an increase in “obstacles and complications” for customs brokers, courier companies, and importers, contributes to an environment of legal and operational uncertainty.

According to Carrasco, IMMEX companies are currently the economic backbone of Mexico, accounting for 60% of the country’s total exports. To put this scope into perspective, the Ministry of Economy reports that the IMMEX Program includes more than 6,300 companies that carry out approximately 57.6% of total Mexican exports.

For a sector of this size, customs regulations have a direct impact on its ability to compete internationally. The proposed changes in the new Customs Law, far from fostering a competitive environment, exacerbate external pressures such as tariff uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, resulting in less investment.

“We see our corporations concerned about the issue of oversight, about the issue of program suspensions, and this law creates some uncertainty regarding continued investment in the country,” Carrasco emphasized.

Various business analyses, such as that of the International Chamber of Commerce Mexico (ICC Mexico) , have warned that overregulation and the increase in operating costs resulting from the new reform to the Customs Law could make Mexico less attractive compared to other countries competing for investment in the context of nearshoring (relocation of production lines).

In this context, Manuel Carrasco called for reconciliation between the authorities and the productive sectors, since these are the ones who experience customs operations on a daily basis. The goal is “laws that favor foreign trade, making it more fluid,” and that at the same time, “ensure that customs clearances are correct, legal, and in accordance with all the procedures listed in the law and regulations, since what concerns us at Index is that the penalties seem to be aimed more at raising revenue than anything else.”

Essentially, the sector views the Customs Law as a significant revenue-raising measure that could ultimately be counterproductive for an economy heavily reliant on foreign investment and trade. An overly punitive law could discourage investment and disrupt logistical operations, undermining the economic engine.

“As Index, we raised our hand at the time, and we continue to raise it, to propose dialogue sessions with the authorities and Congress so that we can be heard more effectively and that they take into account the comments we have to make as the private sector,” Carrasco concluded.

Despite this, the Mexican government has repeatedly defended the recent reform to the Customs Law, asserting that its objective is to close loopholes for tax evasion, streamline foreign trade, and strengthen accountability, arguing that the reform does not focus exclusively on customs agents, but establishes a stricter framework for all actors involved in the matter.

The new Customs Law will come into force on January 1, 2026, a date that was established after the approval of the reform by the Chamber of Deputies and was sent to the Executive for its promulgation, with the regulations still pending.

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El cargo Customs Law: The reform that Mexican foreign trade needs? apareció primero en T21.

Having emerged as a thriving industrial zone, Chihuahua remains resilient in the face of an economic environment shaped by the United States’ protectionist policies. This state is therefore banking on its strategic position to attract investment, build industrial warehouses, and optimize logistics flows , even though tariffs have left some negative consequences.

Manuel Carrasco , director of the Foreign Trade Committee of Index Chihuahua , commented that tariffs have impacted some areas of the region, however, the movement of merchandise, both imports and exports through the state’s border crossings, continues to flow, even at higher percentages than the previous year, particularly in industries such as manufacturing.

“In terms of logistics, from the state capital to distribution centers in El Paso, Texas, a typical 53-foot box load takes between seven and eight hours, including transit on the Chihuahua-Ciudad Juárez highway, considered an essential ‘trade route,’ making these optimal times to meet on-time delivery requirements,” he emphasized.

Carrasco explained that the flow of goods has not stopped, as companies in the region continue to produce. However, there is a significant challenge at the Zaragoza Bridge due to congestion during peak hours, as it remains the main freight crossing in the region.

Faced with this saturation, we have worked with companies to encourage them to use alternative bridges, such as the Guadalupe-Tornillo bridge , which has been heavily promoted to prevent exports from the southern region of the state and other entities from entering Ciudad Juárez, where around 3,500 crossings are currently made daily.

Despite these challenges, the flow of freight trucking remains efficient, which benefits this industrial and export-oriented entity in the northwest region of Mexico.

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) , in the first quarter of 2025, Chihuahua exported the equivalent of 21,320.7 million dollars (mdd) , a growth of 27.5% compared to the same cycle in 2024, which placed the state in first position nationwide in that period.

New projects in the entity

The state remains a key attraction for foreign investment, especially in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua, which are the most important centers of attraction. There have also been cases of reinvestment, meaning companies already established in the area are deciding to attract new projects and expand their operations.

According to the Ministry of Economy , Chihuahua captured $440.5 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first quarter of 2025 , mainly in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and medical.

The Intermex Operations Manager also indicated that there is interest from investors, particularly North American and Asian investors.

“Currently, negotiations are underway for investments and reinvestments in the state in the metalworking, automotive, aerospace, communications, medical, plastics, and electronics sectors,” he explained, although he did not name the companies involved.

In this regard, he explained that North American companies are exploring investment in the state due to its proximity to the United States and the partial tariff exemptions granted by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , as well as the region’s experience in high-tech manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing clusters in Ciudad Juárez facilitate agile cross-border logistics and just-in-time operations , especially for companies in the electronics and automotive industries.

On the other hand, the industrial park sector has grown steadily, with sufficient supply of warehouses and land to meet the demand for new projects.

“The issue of industrial parks and attracting companies is undoubtedly something that has been done correctly in the city for many years, so we have enough space and industrial parks, specifically 10 in Ciudad Juárez, to ensure investors have a smooth landing,” the executive emphasized.

A path with cautious optimism

The key to Chihuahua’s success lies in its synergy. Collaboration between the private sector, the three levels of government, and educational institutions has created an environment of investor confidence. This work, along with a skilled workforce and solid working conditions , has allowed the state not only to withstand the onslaught of foreign policy but also to continue attracting new investment.

Although the future is uncertain, Manuel Carrasco is confident that as long as the USMCA remains in place, Mexico will continue to be an attractive and strategic market for investment, including in the logistics and trucking industries.

The state will expand its manufacturing and logistics capacity with the San Jerónimo Economic Development and Well-being Hub , which will cover 60.3 hectares. According to Carrasco, this hub will be able to develop industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and electronics.

“These are the sectors we’ve seen as the most vibrant, with the most reinvestment, the most announcements of new projects, constant research, and a constant search for industrial parks and new buildings, both for merchandise storage and for investment in new machinery,” he emphasized.

Looking ahead, Chihuahua, like other Mexican states, is experiencing periods of tariff, trade, political, and governmental uncertainty, but with a significant network of industrial parks, a robust manufacturing industry, and trucking , the state is emerging as a resilient logistics hub .

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El cargo Chihuahua, a resilient logistics and manufacturing hub in northwestern Mexico apareció primero en T21.