Do I need a company to import into Mexico, and where is the official list of customs agents? in detail

Dear friend,

Welcome! This letter sets out what you need to know, plainly and in order.

Setting up a company

Foreigners can also form a company in Mexico. The Economy Ministry's foreign-investment register (RNIE) page covers "Sociedades mexicanas en las que participen [...] Personas físicas o morales extranjeras" (Mexican companies with foreign individuals or companies as participants). Such companies must register with RNIE. The source notes that the official listings show S. de R.L. de C.V. and S.A. de C.V. as forms.

The source found no official statement that a director must live in Mexico.

Before you can import

Forming the company is not enough. You must also join the SAT importers' register (Padrón de Importadores). SAT says it applies to "Las personas físicas y morales que deseen importar mercancías a territorio nacional" (individuals and companies that want to import goods).

Conditions on the SAT page:

• "Contar con un agente aduanal, apoderado aduanal y/o representante legal, que realizará sus operaciones de comercio exterior" (a customs agent, customs attorney or legal representative to handle your foreign-trade operations, under Article 59 of the Customs Law).
• RFC active, valid e.firma, no unpaid tax obligations, a verifiable tax address, and Buzón Tributario status "Validado".

A separate register, Padrón de Importadores de Sectores Específicos, exists for specific sectors on the same SAT site.

Official register of customs brokers

ANAM, the national customs agency, publishes a PDF titled "Listado de sociedades de Agentes Aduanales, en relación con la Regla General 1.4.7 de Comercio Exterior". The version the source found is dated May 2022: ANAM list.

Fields in the part the source opened:

• Entry number and company name: yes.
• Licence number (patente): not shown.
• Address, phone, email: not shown.

To check a licence number or the customs office an agent belongs to, you would need another ANAM list. The source did not open it.

What to do yourself

1. Get the company name approved on Tu Empresa, then have the deed notarised.
2. Register the company for an RFC and make sure the e.firma is valid.
3. Apply to the Padrón de Importadores and name your customs agent or legal representative.
4. If you use an agent, check the company name against the ANAM list and ask the agent for the licence number.

When to use a licensed professional

The importers' register requires a customs agent, customs attorney or legal representative to carry out your foreign-trade operations. Ask a licensed professional about your product and route.

Still uncertain

• The source found no official wording requiring a Mexican resident director.
• The ANAM list is dated May 2022 and shows company names only. We did not check ANAM's lists split by customs office, or SAT's agent registration.
• Several official pages carry no date.
• This page is general information from official sources, not legal or tax advice.

Sources for this letter

1. gob.mx, denominación o razón social
2. SAT
3. RNIE
4. ANAM list