Mexico Importer of Record at a Glance:
Importer of Record
- Electronic devices imported into Mexico will need NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) approval
- If NOM certificates are not available for your specific project, you (or FGX on your behalf) will need to contact manufacturers to determine alternatives
IT Shipping & Logistics
- Ensuring secure last mile delivery is integral
Pre-shipment IOR and Compliance Documentation
NOM Certification and Importer of Record Requirements
In Mexico, an Importer of Record (IOR) must be able to certify the shipment through NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana). In recent years, the NOM requirements have become much more strict, and understanding the intricacies of the system has become an important factor in clearing customs. While not all imports to Mexico are regulated under NOM, almost all electronic imports require NOM approval.
Each product must have a unique certification covering purpose, product, and brand of the equipment. Unlike general compliance certifications issued by the IECEE on a “CB Certificate”, NOM is specific to Mexico and can be uniquely specific to the manufacturer of each product.
Sometimes, NOM certificates aren’t available for the product you need to import into Mexico. In that case, your provider would have to work with the manufacturer and other parties to see if there are any equivalency certificates or exemptions.
If a NOM Certificate is not Available
If a NOM certificate, for whatever reason, doesn’t exist, there are still routes for importing IT equipment into Mexico via equivalency certificates or dictums. Equivalency certificates are provided by testing laboratories that are partnered with and approved by the Mexican government. Dictums are applied on a shipment-by-shipment basis. Both of which FGX provides our guidance on.
Additionally, some manufacturers may be resistant to provide a NOM certification and instead request that you buy the products from an in-market VAR (despite it being cheaper and more efficient for you to procure the equipment in the US). If you are facing resistance, please reach out to us, as our entire mission is built around enabling buyers to consume their infrastructure the way they want to.
IT Shipping & Logistics
One of the primary concerns in moving high-value goods in Mexico is ensuring that the shipment can move directly from customs to your destination data center, office, or warehouse.
For example, we ship all of our client’s high-value shipments last-mile via a dedicated vehicle so that the shipment doesn’t need to make any unnecessary stops. You can read about how FGX compares with other hub-and-spoke providers throughout the shipping process here.
FGX manages all of our client’s shipments door-to-door (or door-to-data center). This case study showcases how we navigated IT logistics and importation into Mexico at the time that it was written. Regulations and challenges are constantly changing and exact shipping requirements may have changed. To learn more about FGX and how our global shipping platform can help your company, reach out here.
