Differences in Brokerage in the United States and Mexico

The Barabbas Experience

In this Jupiter SCM First interview podcast episode, host Ivo Adamu speaks with Carime Duck, a seasoned Customs Broker with over a decade of experience in both the United States and Mexico. Carime runs a Customs bonded warehouse and Customs House Brokerage (CHB) in Tijuana (MX) and San Diego, California, and is a licensed Customs Broker in both countries.
The discussion centers around the differences in brokerage between these two neighboring countries. Carime sheds light on some key facts about the different approaches to Customs brokerage in Mexico and the United States.
Firstly, she notes that in Mexico, the burden is on the broker, whereas in the United States, it is on the importer. This means that in Mexico, Customs brokers are responsible for ensuring that all necessary paperwork and procedures are followed correctly, whereas in the United States, the importer must ensure compliance with Customs regulations.
Another key difference is the way duties and taxes are paid. In Mexico, they are paid at the time of entry, whereas in the United States, they are paid separately from IRS taxes.
Carime also highlights that in the United States, a Customs National permit allows Customs brokers to file entries in 50 states and Puerto Rico, whereas in Mexico, a broker is only permitted in a maximum of four ports.
Finally, Carime explains that Mexico has a 100% inspection rate of all goods, whereas inspections in the United States are either random or targeted, with less than 5% of imported shipments being inspected.
Overall, this podcast episode provides valuable insights into the differences in Customs brokerage between Mexico and the United States, and will be of interest to anyone involved in international trade between these two countries.