A decree issued April 23 by the Mexican government permanently maintains the higher most-favored-nation import duties on a broad range of products that were adopted in April 2024 or December 2024 and increases MFN import duties on several additional articles. However, the decree does not differentiate between the tariff lines for which the 2024 duty increases were extended and those that face a higher duty effective April 24.
This action affects a total of 185 tariff lines covering such products as chemicals, cosmetics, paper and paperboard, textiles, headwear, steel, aluminum, automotive parts, electrical equipment, furniture, bicycles and musical instruments. Covered products are classified within HS Chapters 28, 29, 34, 35, 39, 40, 48, 49, 52, 54, 55, 58, 64, 65, 68 through 76, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 92, 94 and 96. The new decree does not appear to include any of the 1,463 tariff lines that saw a duty increase on Jan. 1, 2026.
It appears that only a handful of products will be assessed a new, higher duty rate as a result of this action. They include, among other articles, ferrosilicon manganese classified under HTSMX 7202.30.01 (duty increased from zero to 35 percent), wind-powered generating sets classified under HTSMX 8502.31.01 (duty increased from zero to five percent), and certain machines and apparatus for arc welding of metals classified under HTSMX 8515.39.99 (duty increased from 10 percent to 35 percent).
Mexican authorities indicate that this action is in line with international law as well as Mexico’s commitments under the international trade agreements of which it is a party, especially given that originating goods under any of Mexico’s free trade agreements will continue to benefit from preferential duty treatment. Indeed, this action forms part of a broader trade policy strategy that is seeking to raise Mexico’s average import duties on non-FTA trading partners while maintaining the current preferential duty treatment for FTA trading partners.
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