When a company plans to import products into Mexico, the United States often feels like the most convenient option: close proximity, fewer language barriers, and solid commercial infrastructure. But that apparent simplicity has led many companies —even large, experienced brands— to make logistical and compliance mistakes that cost them time, money, and reputation. At Mexbuy, we frequently receive urgent requests to fix shipments that "were going just fine from the U.S."... until they reached the Mexican border. Here are the 5 most common mistakes even large companies make when importing from the U.S. into Mexico:

1. Assuming every U.S. supplier knows how to export properly

Many American suppliers are used to selling domestically. That doesn’t mean they’re familiar with the logistical, fiscal, or documentation requirements to ship to Mexico. What usually happens?

• Incomplete invoices
• Shipments missing customs documents
• Incorrect declared values that lead to fines or cargo holds at Mexican customs
• Certificates of origin to apply USMCA without a legal analysis of the goods’ origin

At Mexbuy, we review all documentation before the cargo leaves — to stop small mistakes from becoming expensive ones.

2. Not verifying the correct customs regime for the operation

Some companies ship through courier or consolidated freight, unaware that this limits their ability to deduct taxes, or prevents certain products from entering legally. Other businesses overpay on duties simply because they didn’t structure their operation through a proper importer of record. A common example:

• A company regularly ships medium-sized lots via parcel service. Everything seems fast and smooth... until they try to deduct taxes or face an audit.

3. Misclassifying the goods (tariff code)

This is a quiet but costly mistake. The wrong tariff code can:

• Increase VAT or IEPS rates
• Trigger NOMs or special permits
• Lead to unnecessary customs inspections

Even if the U.S. supplier provides a tariff code, it may not be valid or strategic for Mexico. At Mexbuy, we perform a pre-shipment analysis to ensure correct classification before anything crosses the border.

4. Assuming that U.S. imports mean less paperwork

Mexico has strict regulations — even for goods coming from the U.S. Many brands fail to check whether they need:

• COFEPRIS permits or NOM compliance
• Special product labeling
• Certificates of origin to avoid tariffs

Trying to “keep it quick and simple” often leads to major compliance issues if regulations are not met from day one.

5. Underestimating logistics costs within Mexico

Freight is often just a small part of the total landed cost. The mistake is not accounting for:

• Last-mile delivery
• Storage at border warehouses
• Unloading and handling
• Administrative or fiscal penalties caused by poor planning

What seems “cheap and fast” from the U.S. can triple in cost upon arrival in Mexico — if not carefully designed.

Importing from the U.S. can be easy — if you do it strategically. Yes, the proximity to the United States is a clear advantage for companies supplying the Mexican market. But if poorly managed, that advantage can quickly turn into a costly bottleneck. At Mexbuy, we help international businesses import to Mexico the right way, including from the U.S. — with complete visibility, compliance, and peace of mind. Importing from the U.S. doesn’t have to be difficult. It just has to be done right.