Mexico · United States · Global

Executive Summary | Reference Week 6 | Wednesday 04-02-2026

SEMUDMEX – Strategic Customs & Trade Advisory

MEXICO – Customs, Trade & Logistics Risk

• Mexican trucking sector flags USMCA review and insecurity as key risks (CANACAR statements; sector briefings)

The Mexican trucking industry has formally acknowledged that the upcoming USMCA review is already influencing logistics planning. This concern is amplified by persistent highway insecurity, driver shortages and rising insurance costs, which together increase delivery risk and contractual exposure for exporters and importers.

SEMUDMEX Practical Risk Assessment: Disruptions in inland transportation may generate cascading compliance risks, including missed customs deadlines and penalties.

• ANAM and SAT intensify post-clearance audits as an operational standard (Mexican Customs Law Arts. 42, 150; SAT–ANAM practices)

Authorities are no longer treating post-clearance audits as exceptional. Instead, reviews are being applied systematically, with expanded data cross-checks involving customs entries, electronic invoices and accounting records.

SEMUDMEX Practical Risk Assessment: Companies face higher exposure to reassessments, fines and retroactive duties if inconsistencies are detected.

• Mexico–Portugal maritime corridor announced via the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (Mexico–Portugal cooperation protocol; port authorities)

The Sines–Coatzacoalcos corridor represents a strategic effort to strengthen Mexico–Europe trade flows and reduce dependence on traditional Asia–U.S. routes. The project also integrates rail and port infrastructure across the Isthmus.

SEMUDMEX Practical Risk Assessment: Multimodal operations increase complexity in origin determination, transit regimes and customs documentation.

UNITED STATES – Trade Enforcement

• CBP expands preventive detentions based on origin and traceability (CBP enforcement practices; TFTEA)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is increasingly detaining shipments due to documentation gaps, origin inconsistencies and incomplete traceability, even outside forced labor investigations.

SEMUDMEX Practical Risk Assessment: Exporters may face storage costs, delivery failures and strained commercial relationships.

• USMCA increasingly used as an enforcement and industrial policy tool (USMCA Chapter 4; U.S. trade policy statements)

The agreement is now being leveraged to reinforce regionalization objectives and strengthen oversight of rules of origin, particularly in strategic sectors such as automotive and electronics.

SEMUDMEX Practical Risk Assessment: Non-compliance could result in loss of preferential treatment and retroactive assessments.

GLOBAL – Canada & Asia

• Canada reinforces origin controls to prevent trade circumvention (Canadian customs guidance; USMCA framework)

Canadian authorities are tightening origin verification procedures to prevent circumvention schemes, especially involving Asian inputs entering North American supply chains.

SEMUDMEX Practical Risk Assessment: Mexican exporters integrated into trilateral chains may face indirect audit exposure.

• China tightens export controls on strategic inputs (PRC Export Control Law; MOFCOM announcements)

China has expanded export controls on critical minerals and components, increasing uncertainty for global manufacturers that rely on Chinese-origin inputs. SEMUDMEX Practical Risk Assessment: Supply disruptions may affect compliance with regional trade agreements.