Borderlands Mexico is a weekly look at developments shaping U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Mexico’s proposed customs overhaul raises concerns about border delays and cargo seizures, while OmniTRAX expands rail-served industrial capacity in the Phoenix market.
Mexico customs proposal draws concerns over delays and cargo seizures
Mexico is preparing another major revision of its customs framework, with proposed changes that could give authorities significantly greater latitude to scrutinize the declared value of imported merchandise.
President Claudia Sheinbaum submitted amendments to Mexico’s Customs Law, or Ley Aduanera, to the Chamber of Deputies earlier this month as part of the government’s 2027 economic package.
The central objective is to combat undervaluation, a practice in which imported goods are declared at a value below their actual transaction value in order to reduce duties and taxes.
The government says the measure is intended to protect Mexico’s domestic manufacturers from competition involving merchandise that enters the country with artificially low declared values. But companies involved in cross-border trade are also watching the proposal closely because the changes could lead to additional inspections, documentation requirements and precautionary seizures.
The initiative was formally sent to the Chamber of Deputies’ Finance and Public Credit Committee. On Tuesday, the committee held a working session with officials from Mexico’s National Customs Agency, known as ANAM, as well as representatives of private industry, according to La Jornada.
Lawmakers are now working on a draft opinion on the legislation. A committee vote could take place as early as next week. If Congress approves the amendments and they are enacted, the new provisions would take effect the day after they are published in Mexico’s Diario Oficial de la Federación.
One of the most significant elements of the proposal concerns when customs officials could detain imported merchandise because of questions surrounding its declared value.
Under the proposed rules, authorities would have greater powers to begin verification procedures when they determine that an importer has declared a value below the transaction value of identical or similar merchandise.
The legislation would also eliminate an existing 50% undervaluation threshold that currently applies to precautionary seizures in certain circumstances.
The administration maintains that undervaluation weakens Mexico’s import-tax base and puts domestic manufacturers at a disadvantage when competing against products entering the country at artificially low declared values.
Another proposed amendment would change an existing provision of the customs law by reducing the difference-in-value threshold for presuming an infraction from 50% to 20%.
The change would apply to goods imported under customs regimes in which duties are calculated but are not immediately paid, El Financiero reported.
The government is also proposing to authorize precautionary seizures when an inspection finds objective evidence of irregularities involving the declared value of goods that are not already covered by estimated prices established by Mexico’s Finance Ministry.
Before such action could be taken, customs authorities would have to perform a valuation analysis in accordance with procedures established under the Customs Law.
The proposal would also alter the mechanisms available to importers seeking to replace or lift a precautionary seizure.
For value differences below 20%, importers would generally be able to use a cash deposit or a customs guarantee account. Where the difference reaches 20% or more, a cash deposit would generally be required.
Mexican lawmaker Roberto Albores Gleason said on Facebook that more than 2,500 customs operations, representing approximately $89.6 million in value, currently avoid precautionary seizure because of the existing 50% threshold.
For manufacturers, importers, customs brokers and logistics companies moving freight between the United States and Mexico, however, the practical impact could ultimately depend on how aggressively ANAM exercises the additional authority if the reforms become law.
The prospect of increased scrutiny of customs valuation could require importers to strengthen the documentation supporting declared transaction values. Particular attention could fall on related-party transactions, royalties, assists and transfer-pricing adjustments.
Trade law firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg said those areas are likely to face increased scrutiny under the proposed changes.
The consequences could extend well beyond customs compliance.
Gilda Varela, director of customs and foreign trade at Mexico’s automotive industry association, AMIA, warned that removing the existing 50% threshold could interfere with just-in-time manufacturing. Automotive components could potentially be seized while customs authorities and importers resolve valuation disputes, according to El Universal.
Bonded-warehouse representatives have also expressed concerns. If precautionary seizures increase, they warn that the additional freight could contribute to congestion, higher storage expenses and a lack of available space.
The proposed customs overhaul reached the Chamber of Deputies on Sept. 8 and was formally referred to the Finance and Public Credit Committee on Sept. 9.
As of Wednesday, the legislation was still under committee consideration and had not been approved by the full Chamber of Deputies. La Jornada reported that lawmakers were expected to circulate the committee’s draft opinion Wednesday, with a possible vote scheduled for next week.
OmniTRAX adds rail-served capacity in Phoenix-area market
OmniTRAX is expanding its rail-served industrial presence in Arizona after acquiring 25 acres in Casa Grande, citing rising demand tied to manufacturing and nearshoring activity around the Phoenix region.
The company said the property will support industrial outdoor storage, or IOS, as well as transload operations for customers serving Phoenix and the wider Southwest.
The site is located close to major industrial companies including Lucid, Hexcel, LKQ, Tractor Supply and Wright Asphalt.
OmniTRAX said demand for industrial outdoor storage in the Phoenix market is growing faster than nationwide demand. Casa Grande has seen particularly strong activity as advanced manufacturing expands and businesses benefit from the area’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border.
The acquisition follows OmniTRAX’s purchase of the Sonoran Valley Railroad and forms part of a $100 million commitment by the company to develop a national network of rail-served real estate properties that provide supply chain services.
The Casa Grande project also increases capacity along an increasingly important freight corridor linking Arizona’s manufacturing base with Mexico.
Nearshoring investment has helped increase demand for industrial and logistics space in the region, strengthening the role of the corridor in cross-border supply chains.
Why it matters
U.S.-Mexico manufacturers depend on tightly synchronized cross-border supply chains. Broader customs valuation enforcement could increase compliance requirements and costs while creating additional risks of freight delays when shipments are detained.
