Executive Summary
Mexico’s cross-border environment was generally stable during the reporting period (August 10th-16th). No broad nationwide customs disruption or major new customs-rule change stood out in the sources reviewed.
The strongest customs signal came from Mexico’s Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM), or National Customs Agency of Mexico. ANAM reported approximately 1.96 million foreign-trade operations during July, up 2% from June and the highest monthly volume since January 2025. Customs collections reached approximately MXN 131.6 billion, the highest monthly total so far in 2026.
Mexico’s heavy-truck industry also posted a strong July. The Asociación Nacional de Productores de Autobuses, Camiones y Tractocamiones (ANPACT), or National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers, reported that production increased 51.8% year over year, while exports increased 66.7%. More than 92% of heavy vehicles exported by Mexico through July went to the United States, reinforcing how closely tied the two (2) manufacturing and transportation markets remain.
Regulatory Radar
Mexican Customs and Trade Compliance
ANAM’s July report showed 1,957,554 foreign-trade operations, 2% above June and the highest monthly level since January 2025. Customs collections reached MXN 131.616 billion, up 8.7% from June and 5.4% compared with July 2025.
This is not a regulatory change, but the numbers are worth watching. Mexico’s customs network is handling significant volume while the government continues to put more emphasis on digitalization, collection, and enforcement.
The Manifestación de Valor Electrónica (MVE), or Electronic Declaration of Value, remains the biggest near-term compliance item for importers. Mexico’s Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), or Tax Administration Service, and ANAM extended the current transition period through September 30th, 2026, with mandatory electronic transmission beginning October 1st.
Importers should be using the extra time to review:
- Commercial invoices and purchase agreements
- Proof of payment
- Freight and insurance charges
- Related-party transactions
- Assists, royalties, and commissions
- Customs valuation methodology
- Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior Mexicana (VUCEM), or Mexican Single Window for Foreign Trade, access and internal responsibilities
- Coordination and testing with their Mexican customs broker
The deadline has moved, but the underlying valuation requirements have not. Waiting until the end of September to sort through the supporting documentation is probably not the best strategy.
Foreign-Trade Measures
On August 14th, Mexico published its final antidumping determination covering imports of ammonium sulfate originating in China, regardless of the country from which the goods are exported, through the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), or Mexico’s Federal Official Gazette.
This is a targeted measure rather than a broader trade-policy change. Companies importing affected chemical products should review classification, country of origin, and applicability with their customs advisor.
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Review
No new U.S.–Mexico negotiating outcome affecting normal day-to-day customs or border transportation was announced during the reporting period (August 10th-16th).
The larger United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review remains active. Following the third bilateral round in Mexico City, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and Mexico’s Secretaría de Economía, or Secretariat of Economy, directed their teams to meet again in Washington during September.
Discussions have included automobiles, steel and aluminum, economic security, labor, agriculture, electronic payment services, North American manufacturing, and regional supply chains.
For now, USMCA remains in effect and qualifying products continue to receive preferential treatment. Companies should continue maintaining strong origin documentation and supplier traceability while the review moves forward.
Transportation Pulse
Mexico Heavy-Truck Manufacturing Rebounds
Mexico produced 14,675 heavy-duty vehicles in July, up 51.8% from July 2025. Exports increased 66.7% to 13,117 units, while wholesale sales increased 19.1%, according to ANPACT.
The United States remains by far the largest destination. Through July, 65,983 of Mexico’s 71,377 heavy-vehicle exports (approximately 92.4%) went to the United States.
The July rebound is encouraging, but it needs some context. Year-to-date production and exports are both still approximately 6.1% below 2025 levels. July was a strong month, not necessarily a full recovery.
For cross-border transportation, the bigger takeaway is the continued concentration of industrial activity between Mexico and the United States. Automotive and heavy-equipment production will continue to drive meaningful freight through Laredo, El Paso, and the other major manufacturing corridors.
Border Capacity
No broad cross-border capacity disruption was identified during the reporting period.
That does not mean every lane is easy to cover. Capacity across the southern border continues to be tight, and this also affects the return freight needed to position northbound capacity into Central Mexico.
The more difficult shipments continue to be:
- Short-lead-time freight
- Weekend crossings
- Appointment-sensitive shipments
- Specialized equipment
- Multi-stop loads
- Border-to-regional moves
- Freight with limited return-load opportunities
The issue is often not whether a truck exists. It is whether the right equipment, driver, crossing plan, customs documentation, and downstream capacity can all be lined up within the required timeframe.
Earlier forecasting and complete shipment information give us more options and reduce last-minute exposure, although they obviously cannot guarantee equipment availability.
The World Trade Bridge expansion in Laredo is planned to ultimately increase the bridge from eight (8) to 18 commercial lanes, while Mexican officials have indicated work is expected to begin during the second half of 2026.
Separately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed five Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) from its registered list on August 6th. Carriers using those devices must replace them before October 6th, 2026.
Early planning, complete documentation, realistic transit expectations, and timely carrier engagement can improve transportation and customs execution options, but they do not guarantee equipment availability or customs clearance.
Air & Ocean Watch
Air and ocean operations remained generally stable during the reporting period (August 10th-16th).
No material Mexico-wide air-cargo disruption or major nationwide port shutdown was identified.
Customers should continue monitoring:
- Airline and vessel schedules
- Port congestion
- Customs inspections
- Free time and storage exposure
- Inland transportation availability
- Equipment availability
- Production-critical freight requirements
The continued development of maritime alternatives between Mexico and the United States is also worth watching. Land transportation will remain the backbone of U.S.–Mexico trade, but additional routing options may provide another tool when geography, transit requirements, and economics make sense.
What this means for your business:
Mexico’s trade network continues to handle significant volume, while the July heavy-truck numbers point to renewed activity in one of the most important cross-border manufacturing sectors.
For importers, the immediate priority remains Manifestación de Valor Electrónica preparation. The September 30th extension created additional time, but it did not eliminate the requirement.
For transportation buyers, the market remains manageable, but short-notice freight and difficult operating profiles can still create service and pricing exposure.
The continued development of maritime alternatives is also worth watching. Land transportation will remain the backbone of U.S.–Mexico trade, but more routing options give supply chains another tool when geography and economics make sense.
Overall, Mexico’s cross-border trade environment is operating at high volume and strong industrial activity levels, but it is becoming increasingly shaped by tighter compliance requirements, digital customs processes, and ongoing regulatory transitions. While trade flows, manufacturing output, and transportation capacity remain robust, especially in automotive and heavy-truck sectors, the key pressure point for businesses is the growing complexity of customs documentation and system-driven enforcement, particularly around the upcoming MVE electronic valuation mandate. At the same time, USMCA discussions, infrastructure expansion plans, and evolving border and transportation conditions signal continued structural change rather than short-term disruption. For supply chains, success will depend less on reacting to individual events and more on proactively integrating customs compliance, transportation planning, and sourcing strategy into a single coordinated approach.
Early planning, complete documentation, realistic transit expectations, and timely carrier engagement can improve transportation and customs execution options, but they do not guarantee equipment availability or customs clearance.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please reach out to your RIM Representative or to our Director of Mexico Business Development, Tony Pastrana at TonyPastrana@rimlogistics.com.