Mexico Keeps Unilateral Duty-Cut Scheme

From Jan. 1, 2012, Mexico will cut down its duties on the imports of 479 goods covering cars, trucks, leathers, shoes, machines, textile apparel, electric appliances/parts, chemicals, steels, cosmetics and toilet soaps.

As reported, the biggest reduction is its import duties on apparel involving 396 types, making up 82.7% of Mexican trade-opening total. According to its 2008’s duty-cut scheme, the apparel duties will be slashed from 35% to 20%-25%, with shirt duties down from 30% to 25%.

Additionally, the duties cut from 30% to 20% will be applied to importing cars and trucks. The Mexican duty-cut scheme done from 2009 is believed to be the most extensive unilateral trade opening since the past 20 years, with 6,871 of 10,800 imports under gradual duty reduction.

However, with an adjustment in 2010, Mexico takes slowdown in the duty reduction for 319 goods during 2010-2013.