How to Export Food from the U.S. to Mexico: A Practical Regulatory Guide

By Carolina Herrera Samaniego, EAS Consulting Group Independent Consultant

As global food markets evolve, Mexico offers growing opportunities for U.S. exporters seeking to expand their international reach. Exporting food to Mexico from the United States requires more than compliant product formulation and safe manufacturing—it involves navigating Mexico’s layered regulatory system. Whether shipping processed foods, animal-origin products, or plant-based commodities, exporters and importers must coordinate across multiple agencies, including FDA, USDA, COFEPRIS, and SENASICA.

This guide provides a practical overview of the key regulatory steps for U.S. food exporters and their Mexican importing partners.

Step 1: Classify the Product and Verify Requirements

The Mexican customs broker assigns a tariff code to the product. This classification helps identify applicable non-tariff barriers, such as labeling obligations, Sanitary Import Permit, among other requirements.

Import restrictions, if applicable, are tied to the specific product and intended use, so regulatory pathways differ even within similar food categories. A product’s formulation, origin, and processing method can all influence its risk classification.

Step 2: Importer Facility Requirements in Mexico 

Mexican importers must first notify COFEPRIS of their business operations by submitting one of the following:

• An Operating Notice (Aviso de Funcionamiento) for conventional food storage, handling, and distribution.
• A Sanitary License (Licencia Sanitaria) for higher-risk items such as medicines, pesticides, etc.

This declaration must precede any request for a Sanitary Import Permit. Facilities must comply with NOM-251 (Good Hygienic Practices) and designate a sanitary responsible person with appropriate credentials.

Step 3: Determine If a Sanitary Import Permit Is Required

Not all processed foods require a Sanitary Import Permit. However, if the product is classified as moderate- or high-risk or is listed under restricted tariff codes in Mexico’s official agreement, a permit must be obtained per product, per shipment.

Permit applications to COFEPRIS typically include:

• A Certificate of Free Sale (CLV) from the FDA or U.S. Department of Commerce
• Microbiological and physicochemical analysis for each lot
• Label from the country of origin
• Label compliant with NOM-051.

Step 4: Exporter Documentation and Good Manufacturing Practices

U.S. exporters must ensure compliance with FDA or USDA standards. Although not always mandatory, GMP, HACCP certifications, and Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are often requested by Mexican importers to support permit filings and product safety. These documents demonstrate adherence to sanitary manufacturing conditions and can prevent delays during customs clearance.

Step 5: Animal and Plant-Based Products – SENASICA Oversight

Products of animal origin (e.g., dairy, meat) and plant-based products (e.g., grains, vegetables, seeds) often require a Zoosanitary Export Certificate issued by USDA FSIS or a Phytosanitary Certificate from USDA APHIS.

Before export, consulting SENASICA’s regulatory modules—MCRZ for zoosanitary requirements, MCRFV for phytosanitary requirements, and SICPA to verify if U.S. facilities are pre-approved—can help determine the applicable sanitary requirements. At the Mexican border, SENASICA will conduct both documentary and physical inspections to ensure full compliance.

Successful export to Mexico depends on more than documentation—it requires collaboration between exporter and importer, accurate classification, and full regulatory alignment. Done correctly, it opens doors to one of the most dynamic food markets in the Americas.

References

1. Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios (COFEPRIS). (s. f.). Permiso sanitario previo de importación de productos. Gobierno de México. https://www.gob.mx/tramites/ficha/permiso-sanitario-previo-de-importacion-de-productos/COFEPRIS660
2. Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior Mexicana (VUCEM). (s. f.). Clasificador de trámites por fracción arancelaria. Gobierno de México. https://www.ventanillaunica.gob.mx/vucem/Clasificador.html
3. Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF). (2020, diciembre 26). Acuerdo que establece las mercancías cuya importación y exportación está sujeta a regulación por parte de la Secretaría de Salud. https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5608830&fecha=26/12/2020#gsc.tab=0
4. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA). (s. f.). Módulo de consulta de requisitos zoosanitarios para la importación. https://sistemasssl.senasica.gob.mx/mcrz/moduloConsulta.jsf
5. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA). (s. f.). Módulo de consulta de requisitos fitosanitarios para la importación. https://sistemasssl.senasica.gob.mx/mcrfi/