How you import from and export to Mexico.

Back to News

Trade with Mexico

UK-Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement ( TCA)

The UK has signed a trade agreement with Mexico which came into force on 1 June 2021.

This guidance provides information on changes to certain aspects of trade that are covered by the UK-Mexico agreement. It is for UK businesses trading with Mexico.

What the agreement includes

The continuity agreement includes provisions on:

• trade in goods - including provisions on preferential tariffs, tariff rate quotas, rules of origin and sanitary and phytosanitary measures
• trade in services
• intellectual property, including geographical indications
• government procurement

Tariff rates on goods

Preferential tariff rates for bilateral trade in goods between the UK and Mexico continue to apply as set out in the agreement. In some cases, the applied preferential rates for imports into the UK have been adjusted due to changes in the UK’s Most Favoured Nation ( MFN) tariff schedule (for example, removing of the entry price regime and certain complex agricultural duties).

For a short period, from 1 January until the agreement entered into force, goods entering Mexico from the UK were subject to MFN tariffs. However, businesses are able to claim back (from the Mexican Government) any tariffs paid in excess in this temporary period. Further details on this can be found in the side letters exchanged with Mexico. The Mexican Government has also issued specific guidance on the rebate scheme and how to claim back any tariffs paid in excess during this temporary period.

Tariff rate quotas ( TRQs)

Tariff rate quotas ( TRQs) are being applied. Utilisation before the TCA enters into force have been deducted from the volumes in the TCA. TRQs in the TCA have been tailored specifically to the UK.

Further details on this can be found in the side letters that were exchanged with Mexico and that form part of the TCA.

Rules of origin

Finding the correct rule of origin for export

Depending on the type of good you are seeking to export, in order to claim preferential treatment it will need to be either wholly obtained or sufficiently processed.

To be considered sufficiently processed your good will need to meet the relevant product specific rule ( PSR). The PSRs for this agreement use the 2002 version of the Harmonised System ( HS) nomenclature. You should apply the PSR for your good using the code in which it was classified under this nomenclature.

In a limited number of cases the code for your good may have changed during HS revisions. We are currently updating our online services to reflect these changes. In the interim correlation tables tracing these changes have been made available by the World Customs Organisation and the United Nations

Claiming preferential rates for your exports from the UK

Unless you are permitted to provide an origin declaration, you will need to fill in a certificate of origin to claim preferential treatment.

The UK continues to use the EUR1 format for movement certificates with trade partners that have mutual FTAs with the EU, including Mexico. These movement certificates are identical to those previously in use, but the place of origin on the certificate is now marked as the United Kingdom instead of the European Community. EUR1 certificates of origin that have been updated to show the UK are now available from your usual provider, such as the chambers of commerce.

If you previously used an EUR1 form with a mutual EU trading partner, you can use the new EUR1 form that shows the UK as the place of origin.

Using EU materials and processing in your exports to Mexico

You can use EU materials or processing in your exports to Mexico. The UK and Mexico must have fulfilled the necessary requirements set out in the Incorporated Rules of Origin Protocol and Annexes in the TCA. You must also ensure the working or processing you do in the UK goes beyond the minimal operations listed in TCA and the other relevant conditions are met.

For example, you cannot simply package or label a product from the EU and export it to Mexico as a good originating in the UK.

See the list of operations which are insufficient in Incorporated Article 7 of the Rules of Origin Protocol.

If you use EU materials or processing in your exports to Mexico, you need to submit evidence to the Mexican customs authorities. See Integrated Article 3.a, paragraph 6(c) for details.

Sending your goods to Mexico through the EU and other countries

Goods transited through the EU are not subject to the same restrictions as those in transit through other countries.

For example, you are able to split a consignment in the EU when exporting goods to Mexico, provided the goods comprising the consignment have not cleared customs in the EU.

Transit through any other country is possible provided your goods remain under customs surveillance and do not undergo operations other than unloading, reloading or any operation designed to preserve them in good condition.

Origin quotas

Origin quotas in the TCA have been tailored specifically to the UK. Please see table 6 listed in the agreement Parliamentary report, which details the origin quotas.

Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)

The approvals for Mexico’s commodities and establishments continues to be recognised. The UK’s import pre-notification system IPAFFS (the UK’s Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System) includes:

• approved exporting establishments listed on TRACES (the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System)
• approved establishments added to TRACES during the transition period

These establishments therefore remain eligible for export to the UK.

Regulations

The UK will accept most goods that meet EU requirements on product safety for a time limited period. There are also requirements for the use of a UK Conformity Assessed ( UKCA) mark for goods sold in Great Britain. The UK CA mark covers most goods which previously required the CE marking.

gov.uk