Revenue from import taxes in Mexico started the year strongly, reaching a historic amount in January 2025. According to the Secretary of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), the government received 14,738 million pesos in that month, representing a 52% increase in nominal figures. This record growth is attributed to the implementation of temporary tariffs and fiscal adjustments on products from countries without trade agreements, as well as the entry into force of new rules for foreign trade.
The end of 2024 recorded a historic high of 137,821 million pesos in import taxes, reflecting a 43% increase compared to the 100,709 million pesos reported in 2023. In January 2025, these taxes represented 2.8% of total tax revenues, compared to 2.0% in January of the previous year.
Salvador García Pérez, a consultant in foreign trade and customs, highlighted that in addition to the tariffs imposed in 2024, various factors explain the increase in revenue from foreign trade. Among them are the auditing measures implemented since 2023, which include deeper auditing actions and a focus on VAT as the main tax collected.
In 2025, an increase in revenue is expected according to García Pérez, as year after year the revenue target for the Tax Administration Service (SAT) continues to rise, responding to the need for more resources for government social programs. In 2024, Mexico raised tariffs on around 700 imported products, mostly from Asia, through decrees issued in April and December 2024. These temporary levies range from 5 to 50% and affect key sectors such as steel, aluminum, textiles, apparel, footwear, among others.
