On the Mexican side
- Commercial invoice and packing list — describing products, quantities, values, weights and packaging.
- Export customs declaration (pedimento) — filed through a licensed Mexican customs broker.
- Sectoral exporter registration — Mexico's tax authority (SAT) requires exporters of goods such as beer, tequila, wines and distilled beverages to be registered in the Padrón de Exportadores Sectorial (opens in a new tab) for the relevant sectors.
- Product certification — for tequila, a certificate issued by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (opens in a new tab) accompanies export lots; mezcal is certified through the Consejo Regulador del Mezcal (opens in a new tab).
- Certificate or certification of origin — needed to claim preferential duty under a trade agreement, such as the USMCA/T-MEC with the United States and Canada or the agreement between Mexico and the European Union.
On the destination side
Your importer is usually responsible for import licences, product registration, label approval, duties and excise. The links below are starting points published by the relevant authorities:
| Destination | Where to check |
|---|---|
| United States | TTB label approval (COLAs) (opens in a new tab) for alcohol; FDA food import requirements (opens in a new tab); CBP guidance on USMCA (opens in a new tab) |
| Canada | Canadian Food Inspection Agency — food imports (opens in a new tab); alcohol is also regulated by provincial and territorial liquor authorities |
| European Union | Access2Markets (opens in a new tab) for tariffs and rules of origin; EU excise duties on alcohol (opens in a new tab); EU–Mexico trade relations (opens in a new tab) |
| United Kingdom | Importing goods into the UK (opens in a new tab); Alcohol Duty rates (opens in a new tab) |
| Australia | Australian Border Force — importing (opens in a new tab); Food Standards Australia New Zealand — labelling (opens in a new tab) |
| Other markets | US Commercial Service country guides (opens in a new tab) summarise import rules for many countries; your importer or customs broker should confirm current requirements |
Labels deserve early attention
Label rules are the most common cause of delays. Destination markets may require an importer name and address, specific alcohol or health warnings, allergen statements, a local-language description or prior approval of the label. Mexican domestic labels — for example the front-of-pack warning seals used on packaged drinks in Mexico — are designed for Mexico. Plan the label with your importer before the producer prints or stickers anything.
How we help
We coordinate the Mexican-side documents with producers and the customs broker, collect certificates for each lot and share drafts before shipment. Destination compliance remains the responsibility of the importer of record, and we will ask you to confirm requirements rather than guess them. See the wholesale and export process for how this fits into a shipment.
General information only, not legal, tax or customs advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant authorities and your customs broker.