During the last few months, global trade has seen a sustained increase in measures  that directly impact business operations .

According to data from the World Trade Organization (WTO) , between October 2024 and October 2025, more than a thousand new measures were implemented in this area, many of them related to imports and tariff adjustments, confirming an environment of high regulatory volatility.

This context is already reflected in concrete operational decisions within companies. One of the first steps has been to identify whether the products they import are subject to new tariffs , particularly those from countries with which Mexico does not have free trade agreements .

As a result, companies face decisions such as absorbing the additional cost , seeking alternative suppliers , or rethinking their supply schemes .

The impact of these changes goes beyond the final price of the product . They have also resulted in longer customs processing times, delays in the release of goods, and increased pressure on delivery schedules, especially for operations that depend on constant flows to maintain their profitability, warned Ilan Epelbaum, CEO of Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE)  in Mexico.

Given this scenario, the specialist commented that financial and operational planning have become more important. Companies are conducting more detailed profit and loss analyses to determine if their business models remain viable under the new market conditions.

At the same time, he explained that a more conservative inventory strategy is beginning to emerge , with additional margins to absorb unexpected delays or adjustments, even if this implies a higher financial cost .

Routes and safety, with greater operational pressure in 2026

The reconfiguration of entry routes into the country is already a reality, Epelbaum said. Recent experience has shown that relying on a single crossing point , port , or transport provider increases operational risk , leading companies to diversify entry points and routes to reduce their exposure to regulatory changes.

Adding to this situation is the concern about the security of goods in transit . The increase in thefts on highways and strategic corridors has forced the reinforcement of measures such as cargo insurance, accurate declaration of value, and greater attention to packaging, particularly for higher-value shipments, explained Epelbaum.

According to data from the  National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV) , in the second quarter of 2025, nearly 90% of cargo thefts reported nationwide were concentrated in 10 states. Puebla (23.5%) and the State of Mexico (20%) accounted for 43.5% of the incidents. These were followed by Guanajuato (8.3%), Michoacán (6.3%), Jalisco (6%), Veracruz (5.3%), Hidalgo (5.3%), San Luis Potosí (5%), Querétaro (4.3%), and Nuevo León (3.5%).

Security remains a critical factor for the competitiveness of trade in Mexico , especially as the country seeks to consolidate its position as an investment destination through nearshoring (relocation of production lines). Certainty regarding highways , customs , and border crossings is key to maintaining the flow of goods and attracting foreign investment .

The message from the start of 2026 is that it’s not a year of less commercial activity , but rather one of more demanding commerce with less room for error. The companies that adapt best will be those that incorporate scenario planning, risk diversification, and operational flexibility in an environment where the rules of the game continue to evolve.

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Fortidia announced the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of the Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) brand in Mexico, a transaction that marks a strategic step in its international expansion plan and integrates the country into its direct operating markets.

Fortidia, a group specializing in global commerce solutions for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and consumers, is strengthening its presence in Latin America, adding value in Mexico with Mail Boxes Etc., a global brand with more than 35 years of experience and a network of more than 2,600 centers worldwide, specializing in comprehensive local, national, and international shipping solutions.

“We are pleased to welcome MBE Mexico to the Fortidia Group among our so-called direct operating countries. We look forward to working together to further strengthen our offering of high-value solutions for customers in the Mexican market,” said Paolo Fiorelli, President and CEO of Fortidia.

Fortidia closed 2024 with gross revenues of €1.4 billion (approximately $1.5 billion), thanks to a platform that brings together more than 3,130 solution centers in 57 countries.

In addition, its digital e-commerce ecosystem moved a gross merchandise value of 22 billion euros (23 billion dollars).

For its part, Red Postal Mexicana , an MBE franchisor since 2003, has consolidated a network of more than 60 solution centers in the country in just over two decades, serving key sectors such as shipping, logistics, marketing, and printing.

“We are very pleased to now be part of the Fortidia Group. The future developments and synergies we can leverage together are a fantastic catalyst for the growth of the Mail Boxes Etc. brand in Mexico. We share with Fortidia a strong alignment in values, culture, and, above all, a focus on customer satisfaction,” said Ilan Epelbaum, CEO of MBE Mexico.

The merger opens a new chapter for MBE Mexico, with access to greater innovation capabilities and sustainable growth, in addition to strengthening Fortidia’s global commitment to service excellence.

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On August 15, a new tariff increase went into effect for products imported from countries without a trade agreement with Mexico, such as China, increasing the tariff from 19% to 33.5% for transactions made via parcel or express courier services.

The measure, published in the General Rules of Foreign Trade of the Tax Administration Service (SAT) and in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , was part of a strategy by the federal government to strengthen national production against foreign platforms that dominated online consumption in recent years, such as Temu and Shein , which recorded increases of up to 614% in their users in a single year.

According to Ilan Epelbaum, CEO of Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) in Mexico, the direct impact of the adjustment was the reduction of the margin that made the ultra-competitive prices of these marketplaces viable .

“We witnessed the beginning of a new era in cross-border e-commerce logistics. For many platforms operating under low-cost models, the increase in tariffs completely changed the operational landscape, delivery times, and, above all, final consumer prices,” the executive said in a statement.

The end of “cheap” e-commerce

In recent years, Shein and Temu conquered the Mexican market with below-average prices, thanks to a dropshipping model from Asia, without warehouses in the country, and a more flexible tariff scheme for low-value shipments. However, with the 33.5% tariff, that logic began to change.

According to Epelbaum, the price gap compared to domestic options or platforms operating under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was no longer as wide, as these products were exempt or taxed only 17% because they were backed by free trade agreements.

The change did not mean the exit of Temu or Shein from the Mexican market, but it did reduce their structural price advantage.

“What happened wasn’t a punishment for certain brands, but rather a natural evolution of the commercial ecosystem. The rules changed to level the playing field, and that required different, more strategic logistics focused on regulatory efficiency,” Epelbaum added.

Logistical implications

The tariff adjustment brought with it logistical implications that affected both marketplaces and thousands of Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that relied on cross-border trade to import inputs or finished products.

Among the main effects mentioned by MBE are:

• Increased documentation and customs clearance times, as they are not covered by preferential treaties.
• Higher costs for temporary storage.
• The need to reorganize routes, suppliers, or even import categories.

From the perspective of Mail Boxes Etc., these measures were part of a regional trend seeking to reorganize e-commerce based on criteria of traceability, equity, and formality.

“We observed a reconfiguration of import patterns in the last quarter of the year. Not necessarily fewer packages, but with different origins, delivery times, and logistics schemes. Brands that understood this early, and the companies that supported them, would set the tone in 2026,” Epelbaum emphasized.

As a result, Temu and Shein remained affordable options in Mexico , but no longer with the same savings or under the same conditions. The new tariff policy did not seek to curb digital commerce, but rather to transform it, positioning logistics as a strategic axis for competitiveness.

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