Mexico has decided to exclude footwear from its Strategic Bonded Warehouse regime, aiming to close a channel that authorities and industry groups say had been misused in recent years.
The program allows goods to enter the country with tax benefits when they are intended for manufacturing or re-export. However, industry representatives argued that finished footwear was entering under this scheme and remaining in the domestic market without fully complying with tax obligations.
From 2023 to 2025, footwear imports under this mechanism surged by nearly 2,000%, an increase widely viewed as abnormal by the sector.
The policy shift is part of broader efforts to support domestic manufacturing, especially in regions like Guanajuato, where the footwear industry plays a key role in employment and economic activity.
Under the new rules, footwear imports must follow standard trade procedures, including applicable tariffs and regulations. The measure is intended to level the playing field and address concerns over unfair competition.
While industry groups have welcomed the change, analysts note that its effectiveness will depend on enforcement and how market conditions evolve in the coming months.
Source: Expansión
