Analysis of Sea Freight Services from China to Mexico

In recent years, the international shipping market has been affected by factors such as capacity adjustments and cost fluctuations, posing challenges to the stability of Latin American routes. Against this backdrop, how can Chinese export enterprises enhance their delivery connectivity capabilities for the Mexican market? We invited the market director of Xinghan Tongda (Qingdao) International Supply Chain Service Co., Ltd. to share practical experience and compliance advice on "end-to-door services from Chinese ports to Mexico."

Host: What are the main impacts of the current international shipping environment on China-Mexico maritime transport?

Guest: The current shipping market indeed faces multiple challenges: capacity supply adjustments, fuel cost fluctuations, and changes in the geopolitical trade environment all affect route stability. For enterprises, beyond focusing on freight rate fluctuations, the compliance and delivery certainty of the supply chain are more critical—it is essential to plan the entire process before shipment to avoid additional costs due to oversight in any link.

Host: What are the main types of goods exported from China to Mexico, and what common issues do enterprises encounter?

Guest: Key categories of Chinese exports to Mexico include electronic appliances, automotive parts, machinery equipment, textiles and apparel, furniture, and plastic products. As a country with a relatively well-developed industrial system in Latin America, Mexico has a continuously rising demand for Chinese intermediate goods in areas such as automotive assembly and electronics manufacturing.

Common issues encountered by enterprises in practice include: inconsistent documentation, discrepancies between declared and actual cargo values leading to customs clearance delays, and high port storage fees. These need to be avoided through pre-planning and standardized collaboration.

Host: What core documents need to be prepared before exporting goods?

Guest: Complete and consistent documentation is the foundation for smooth customs clearance. Shippers need to prepare in advance:

Bill of Lading (B/L): Ensure that the consignee information, cargo description, and weight fully match the commercial invoice;

Commercial Invoice: Specify detailed product names, quantities, unit prices, total amounts, and trade terms;

Packing List: Include cargo volume, gross weight, number of packages, and specifications;

Certificate of Origin (CO): Used when necessary to apply for tariff preferences;

Product Technical Documentation: Such as equipment manuals and material certificates, to assist with customs classification and inspection.

Host: What are the key compliance points to pay special attention to for Mexican customs clearance?

Guest: Mexican customs supervision is relatively strict. Key considerations include:

Import Qualifications: The consignee must complete Mexican tax registration (RFC) and possess legal import qualifications;

Truthful Declaration: Declare according to the actual value of the goods and the HS code. Under-declaring values may trigger customs "alerts" and in-depth inspections, leading to delays or fines;

Port Timeliness: Mexican port storage fees are calculated from the day the cargo arrives. Delays in customs clearance will significantly increase costs. It is advisable to apply for a reasonable free storage period in advance.

Host: What are the main advantages of Xinghan Tongda's sea freight to door services in Mexico?

Guest: Our service advantages lie in our end-to-end coordination capabilities, specifically including:

Flexible Multi-Port Scheduling: Support shipments from ports such as Qingdao, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Shenzhen, matching suitable routes based on space availability and shipment schedules;

Localized Network at Destination Ports: Established customs clearance and trucking cooperation systems in major ports like Manzanillo and Veracruz, covering Mexico's core industrial areas;

Document Pre-Review Mechanism: Conduct dual verification of documents such as bills of lading, invoices, and packing lists before shipment to ensure consistency and reduce inspection risks;

DDU/DAP Door-to-Door Services: Offer two mode options—DAP (Delivered at Place, excluding import taxes and duties) and DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid, including customs clearance to door)—to meet different client operational needs.

Host: What are the core differences between DDU and DAP terms, and how should enterprises choose between them?

Guest: The main difference between the two terms lies in the division of responsibilities:

DAP (Delivered at Place): The seller is responsible for transportation to the designated location in Mexico, while import taxes and duties are borne by the consignee. This is suitable for scenarios where the consignee has customs clearance capabilities;

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): The seller is responsible for transportation to the destination and completing customs clearance to the door, while taxes and duties are still paid by the consignee. This is suitable for clients who need to simplify operations at the destination port.

It is important to note: All services provided by Xinghan Tongda involve formal customs clearance. We do not offer non-compliant models such as "double clearance with taxes included," strictly adhering to the trade regulations of both China and Mexico to ensure the legal entry of client goods.

Host: What advice do you have for export enterprises regarding freight rate fluctuations and reduced sailings?

Guest: We recommend that enterprises focus on the following five points:

Secure Space in Advance: Seize cutoff deadlines to avoid peak season freight rate surges;

Optimize Cargo Planning: Prioritize full container load (FCL) shipments (20GP/40HQ) to reduce delays associated with less than container load (LCL) shipments;

Strengthen Document Management: Ensure documents are complete and consistent, and verify Mexico's special requirements (such as product certifications and certificates of origin) in advance;

Clarify Term Responsibilities: Specify customs clearance and tax/duty sharing methods in contracts to avoid disputes;

Diversify Transportation Risks: For high-value goods, consider shipping in batches to mitigate the impact of losses on a single shipment.

In the current environment, compliance and stability are key competitive advantages in cross-border transportation.

Host: How would you summarize Xinghan Tongda's service philosophy?

Guest: We firmly believe that logistics is not just about transporting goods but also about "fulfilling trust." Xinghan Tongda adheres to the philosophy of "Linking the Globe, Winning the Future" and, through our experienced team and localized network, provides clients with "reliable schedules and secure delivery" sea freight to door services, helping Chinese manufacturing efficiently connect with the Mexican market.

Facing the complex international logistics environment, choosing a compliant and suitable supply chain partner is crucial for enterprises to steadily expand overseas. We hope this interview provides practical insights for enterprises exporting to Mexico.

Market Director: Zhang Congyao