Brenda Cordova, Author at Braumiller Law Group

Importing Steel into Mexico A Pillar of Compliance for Suppliers Trading with Mexico

September 28, 2025

By: Brenda Cordova Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel and Judith Montes de Oca

The steel trade with Mexico is particularly strategic at this moment. Companies are shifting supply chains to North America, and Mexico which has been an attractive manufacturing hub for various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, construction, electronics, household appliances, and more. This trend is driving strong demand for imported steel while simultaneously creating new export opportunities for Mexican producers. Much of this advantage stems from the USMCA, because steel originating within the USCMA region can qualify for preferential tariff treatment when traded within the United States and Canada, provided that the applicable rules of origin are fully met.

Sheinbaum Proposals to Amend the Mx Customs Law and LIGIE

September 13, 2025

By: Brenda Cordova and Brendita Cordova, Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

From a Mexican resident’s perspective, who is also involved in international trade, it appears that since the Trump administration took office, the global economic scenario has been altered by an escalating trade war, characterized by the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. government, on a range of countries. These measures, intended to safeguard the U.S. interests, have affected the relationships with certain international markets, as the U.S. is showing signs of progressive isolationist practices.

Mexico’s Evolving Trade Scenario Amidst Global Tariff Tensions

August 1, 2025

Behind the Numbers: My Transformative Internship Journey at SAT (Tax Administration Service)

August 1, 2025

By: Brenda Noyola Cordova, Intern, BLG Mexico Legal Counsel

My internship in Mexico was with the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), the office responsible for applying tax and customs legislation, which facilitates trade through customs administration. With its influence extending across both the public and private sectors, SAT stands at the forefront of Mexico’s efforts to promote transparency, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. My internship experience within this institution offered invaluable insights into its operations and the impact it has on the nation’s economic landscape.

Sheinbaum’s Response to Trump´s Tariffs and the Origin of the Goods

April 7, 2025

By: Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

On April 3, 2025, during the presidential daily morning briefing, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to the import tariffs announced the day before by President Trump, which targeted several countries. She emphasized that, of all the nations affected by these new duties, Mexico was the least impacted. She attributed this to the strong bilateral relationship between Mexico and the United States. She also reiterated that, since Mexico does not impose tariffs on U.S. goods, it is unfair for the U.S. to impose tariffs on Mexican products.

The Future of IMMEX: Navigating U.S.-Mexico Trade Challenges and Opportunities

February 10, 2025

By: Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

Recent announcements by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the potential imposition of import duties on goods from Mexico have created uncertainty for companies operating under the IMMEX program. Many businesses are concerned that the benefits provided by this program may no longer apply.

Trump import duties on goods from Mexico

Mexico’s Response to Trump’s Increase to Import Duties on Goods Coming from Mexico into the United States

December 11, 2024

By: Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

Recently, US elected President Trump threatened that when he takes office one of his first orders will be a 25% import duty on all goods coming from MX into the US. The intention is to put pressure on Mexico to stop the flow of illegal drugs and immigrants.

Amendments to the MX Customs General Rules for 2024 and to Annexes 1, 2, 5 and 24 (Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior para 2024)

October 21, 2024

By: Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

On September 15th, 2024, the Mexican Congress published on the Diario Oficial de la Federacion (Mexican Official Gazette) a decree to amend, add, and abolish several provisions of the Mexican Constitution regarding the Judicial Power. This reform, as it is being called, is one of the major changes to the Mexican Judicial System and has been met with heated debates by opponents who fear it will put the balance and separation of power at risk as it will result in a weakened and deteriorated judicial system overpassed by the legislative and executive powers.

The Reform to the Mexico Judicial System

October 7, 2024

The Importance of Pedimento Codes for the IMMEX Customs Regime

April 1, 2024

By: Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

In Mexico, a customs regime is the destination or treatment for goods subject to customs control in accordance with the nature and purposes of a customs operation. Companies with an IMMEX program may perform operations under the so-called customs regime of “temporary importation for elaboration, transformation or repair under a maquila program”. This name by itself implies several facts to consider.

La importancia de las Claves de Pedimento en el Régimen Aduanero de las IMMEX

April 1, 2024

Por: Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

En México, un régimen aduanero es el destino o tratamiento que se da a los bienes objeto de control aduanero de conformidad con la naturaleza y propósitos de una operación aduanera. Las empresas con un programa IMMEX pueden realizar operaciones al amparo del régimen aduanero llamado “importación temporal para elaboración, transformación o reparación en programas de maquila”.

Suspensión del Padron de Importadores

February 6, 2024

Por Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

Uno de los requisitos más importantes para importar mercancías a México es estar registrado como importador en el registro de importadores mexicanos. Hay 2 tipos de registros para importadores, uno es para importadores generales (Padrón de Importadores) y el otro es para importadores de sectores industriales específicos (Padrón de Importadores de Sectores Específicos) que pueden importar mercancías identificadas por el código arancelario MX (es decir, productos químicos, armas de fuego, puros, calzado, textiles, alcohol, hidrocarburos, siderurgia, automoción, etc.). Generalmente, estos 2 registros son listados con información de personas y entidades autorizadas para importar mercancías a México.

Suspension of Mexican Importer Registration (Padron de Importadores)

February 6, 2024

By: Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

One of the most important requirements for importing goods into Mexico is to be registered as an importer under the Mexican importer’s registry. There are 2 types of registries for importers, one is for general importers (Padron de Importadores), and the other is for importers of specific industry sectors (Padron the Importadores de Sectores Especificos) which may import goods identified by the MX tariff code (i.e. chemical products, firearms, cigars, footwear, textiles, alcohol, hydrocarbons, steel, automotive, etc.). Generally, these 2 registries are lists with information of individuals and entities authorized to bring goods into Mexico.

Legal Framework Governing IMMEX Operations

November 8, 2023

Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

As we have previously explained in other articles, an IMMEX is a duty deferral program from the Mexican federal government created in 2006, which stands for Industria Manufacturera, Maquiladora y de Servicios de Exportación (Manufacturing, Maquiladora and Export Services Industry).

Requirements for Bottling/Packing Tequila in the United States

August 4, 2023

Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

The United States Mexico Agreement (USMCA – the free trade agreement signed between Mexico, the United States and Canada) promotes and protects the trading of tequila between these 3 countries as it acknowledges it is a distinctive product of Mexico. Accordingly, Canada and the United States shall not permit the sale of any product as Tequila unless it has been manufactured in Mexico in accordance with the laws and regulations of Mexico governing the manufacture of Tequila.

Recent Update on Forced Labor in Mexico

June 12, 2023

Brenda Cordova, Mexico Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

Mexico has recently published several legal instruments aimed to prevent and investigate forced and compulsory labor, including child forced or compulsory labor (forced labor). This impacts labor standards implemented by employers not just within the Mexican territory, but also from abroad, because starting May 18, 2023, goods produced in any country under forced labor conditions are restricted for importation into Mexico.

Legal Framework Governing Foreign Direct Investment from the United States and Canada in Mexico

June 5, 2023

By Brenda Cordova, Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

A large number of companies considering relocating their business abroad have turned their eyes to Mexico, which has become an attractive place for investors to relocate their business, mainly because it is close to the United States and Canada (nearshoring), the labor costs are relatively low, the availability of IMMEX (maquiladora) program, and because there is a preferential treatment to originating goods and foreign investments from the United States and Canada that are protected under the USMCA, among other factors.

Advanced Rulings on USMCA Origin

April 5, 2023

By Brenda Cordova, Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

A good that complies with the USMCA rules of origin may qualify for duty exemption when imported into the United States, Mexico or Canada. The document that certifies such compliance is the certification of origin. This certification includes information about the importer, exporter or producer, certifier, description and harmonized tariff code of the goods, origin criteria, blanket period and authorized signature and date. Completing it seems to be a simple task because such information appears to be relatively basic.

Mexican Customs Regimes – Regimenes Aduaneros Mexicanos

April 5, 2023

By Brenda Cordova, Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

This article is aimed to briefly explain what is Mexican Customs regime, when and how it is used and why any party entering or extracting goods in or out of Mexico should be aware of its importance for compliance.

Exporting to Mexico

February 4, 2023

By Brenda Cordova, Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

This article covers some of the legal requirements that should be taken into consideration if your company is already exporting to Mexico or is considering doing so.