On April 15, 2024, the Ministry of Economy published in the Federal Official Gazette the "Resolution through which the Ministry of Economy issues General Administrative Guidelines in Foreign Trade Matters " (the “Resolution”), which entered in force the day after its publication and by which the Ministry of Economy has modified its procedures for the Prior Import License for steel products (“AAIPS”).

Prior to issuing the Resolution, and as a result of various meetings held this year, Mexico agreed to coordinate with the United States of America the implementation of steel-related policies.

The Resolution is centered in the modification of various tariff codes that will now be subject to AAIPS, the procedure for obtaining said licenses, the creation of the Steel Products Importers’ Registry (“RIPS” by its acronym in Spanish), and the certification by mills previously authorized by the Ministry of Economy through the General Directorate of Trade Facilitation and Foreign Trade (DGFCCE).

In the AAIPS applications, which must be filed via the Foreign Trade Single Window (“VUCEM” by its acronym in Spanish), it will be necessary to include, among other information, a description of the product to be imported, the country of origin, the Commercial Identification Number (NICO), and the name of the mill, which must be registered in the corresponding catalog issued by the DGFCCE of the Ministry of Economy.

If the specified mill is not found in the catalog, it is possible to request its registration using the format published by the Ministry of Economy, within which information such as the mill's address, owner, and country is requested.

Additionally, through the Resolution, the creation of the RIPS was implemented, and it will allow, one or more AAIPS for one or more tariff codes, valid for a year with the option to renew annually.

To obtain the RIPS, it is necessary to be registered in the corresponding sectorial importers’ registry and submit the application before the Ministry of Economy, which may authorize per tariff code the quantity equivalent to the volume of imports made in the twelve months prior to obtaining the RIPS.

Note that importers who seek to obtain the RIPS must be up to date with their tax, customs, and foreign trade obligations; notify the Ministry of Economy of any changes to the information provided in the application and submit quarterly reports of the import operations carried out. For the purposes of the foregoing, the imported quantity cannot exceed by more than 3% than that indicated in the mill and/or quality certificates.

Mill or quality certificates issued prior to the entry into force of the Agreement will be considered valid, provided they contain certain data such as the location of the mill or manufacturer, casting number, shipment number, folio, or order number.

Importers must verify the tariff code of their goods and confirm if they are subject to compliance with the AAIPS, consider the new requirements to be met, and assess the advisability of requesting the RIPS to ensure the continuity of their operation and avoid incurring negative consequences resulting from non-compliance with this obligation.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

This newsletter was prepared by ([email protected]); Juan Carlos Jimenez Labora Mateos ([email protected]); Ernesto Vega Zaldivar ([email protected] ); Ana Lucía Moreno Elizondo ([email protected]); and Jasive Cordero Pérez ([email protected]).