The federal government of Mexico is set to issue a decree that will ban the temporary importation of finished footwear under the IMMEX program. The move aims to protect the domestic manufacturing sector from unfair practices that evade taxes and tariffs. The measure safeguards approximately 130,000 direct jobs in the industry.
Authorities identified misuse of the IMMEX scheme, whereby footwear not used in industrial processes entered the domestic market without paying VAT or the applicable tariff of at least 25 %.
From 2019 to 2024, the footwear industry’s activity declined by 12.8 %, largely due to these unfair practices. Additionally, imports of finished footwear under this scheme have risen by 159 %.
The decree intends to level the playing field by eliminating fiscal advantages. Henceforth, all imported finished footwear must pay a minimum 25 % tariff.
Also during the announcement in León, Guanajuato, authorities signed an agreement to establish the “Puerta del Bajío” Wellness Pole in Celaya—a strategic industrial hub for the automotive, agroindustrial, and manufacturing sectors.
Source: Expansión
