International trade and customs in Mexico

Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa strikes the right note with its top tier, 13-strong practice, which perfectly combines its strong expertise in international trade and customs work with the firm's exceptional tax offering, particularly for contentious matters. The department, which has recently seen an increase in supply chain-related work, handles primarily tariff classification and customs valuations, non-tariff restrictions and international contracting regulations, along with tax and customs authorities' audits. It is co-led by customs litigation experts Guillermo Sánchez and Ricardo Romero, with further partner-level support from Eduardo Díaz (who has a close focus on anti-dumping matters), and Gerardo Canseco (whose practice takes in import and export -and IMMEX- procedures, VAT and excise tax certification, FTAs, rules of origin, compliance and all trade and customs-related disputes).

Mexican law firm EC Rubio offers one of the most robust practices in the market. The outstanding, 13-strong team is renowned for representing a notable roster of clients across the full range of matters related to international trade, from minor filing and compliance matters to international dispute settlement proceedings; as well as for its leading capabilities handling trade remedies mandates, including anti-dumping investigations and countervailing duties. Operating from Mexico City, partners Eduardo David and Juan Carlos Partida focus primarily on trade-remedy issues as well as administrative customs proceedings; while the partners in Ciudad Juárez, Fernando Holguín (whose work ‘is close to perfection’), and Felipe Mendoza regularly act for clients from the maquiladora and export industry, advising on -among other matters- all aspects of the IMMEX programme. Additional partner-level input is provided by Mexico City-based partner Arturo Bañuelos.

Top-notch boutique firm, Vázquez Tercero & Zepeda is a force to be reckoned with in the international trade and customs arena, particularly regarding anti-dumping investigations and the maquiladora industry; it is a particularly popular choice for clients from the Asian market. Indeed, recent work highlights include representing a Taiwanese exporter in the anti-dumping investigation on stainless steel from Taiwan and China. The sizeable practice, which regularly handles matters across the full breadth of the practice (primarily: trade policy, customs compliance, regulatory matters, customs litigation, and tax planning and litigation), houses a number of deeply experienced practitioners including: trade-disputes expert Adrián Vázquez; Emilio Arteaga Vázquez in Mexico City, who specialises in anti-dumping investigations; and Guadalajara-based partners Eduardo Zepeda (who has a robust knowledge of the IMMEX / maquiladora industry matters), and skilled litigator Eduardo González. Support comes from key associate Mariana Malvaez. Notably, in addition to the aforementioned offices, the firm also operates from León, Monterrey, Puebla, Reynosa, Matamoros, Tijuana and Los Cabos, and has a trade promotion and investment office in Hong Kong.

Partners Daniel Amézquita (who divides his time between administrative / constitutional litigation and IT&C matters), and Mario Valencia, who is always ‘involved down to the smallest detail’, and is renowned for his work in contentious customs and tax matters, co-head the practice at Galicia Abogados S.C., which reaps praise for its ‘extensive experience in foreign trade regulations and solid understanding of the subject’. The nine-strong group regularly advises clients from the energy, pharmaceutical, automotive, telecommunications, chemical, e-commerce and retail industries, on maquila (IMMEX) and PROSEC programmes, certified companies, VAT certificates, quotas, certifications, licenses, import and export permits; tariff classifications and compliance with tax and customs obligations, as well as anti-dumping and subsidies investigations, litigation and arbitration processes, and FTA negotiations. A strong second line of associates includes José Andrés Muñiz, Fernando Rodriguez and Sheidel Francioli.

The ‘highly-specialised’, six-strong practice at Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C. is recommended for its in-depth knowledge and vast experience of virtually every aspect of international trade and customs, especially anti-dumping and countervailing duties, while also skilfully handling multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, and other aspects including market access, trade policy, preferential trade regimes, customs compliance, trade compliance and trade remedies, and litigation. The experienced David Hurtado heads the department, closely supported by senior associate, Julia García de Acevedo, who has notable expertise in dumping, customs, and health-related international commerce.

The experience and skills of two international trade experts guides the nine-strong practice at Sánchez Devanny. Turenna Ramirez handles strategic planning of trade and customs matters along with litigation, and specialises in international treaties (including NAFTA), customs audits, export-promotion programmes (including IMMEX) and verification-of-origin processes, while fellow partner José Alberto Campos has broad expertise in tax and regulatory matters, including tariff and non-tariff requirements and export controls, as well as significant experience in free trade agreements executed by Mexico. Additional expertise comes from skilled litigator Eduardo Sotelo; and senior associate María Luisa Mendoza, whose practice is centred on IT&C matters mainly in relation to the energy, health and life science sectors.

Drawing from the expertise of the firm's sturdy tax department, Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. has established itself as a solid competitor in the international trade and customs arena. Experienced practitioner, Sergio Barajas, currently President of IMECE (Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos en Comercio Exterior), heads the five-strong department, which has a focus on customs procedures, WTO and NAFTA-related treaty issues, IMMEX-related matters, audits, verification of origin, administrative procedures and foreign trade strategy for new operations, among other specialties. Key support is provided by senior associate Roberto Serralde, who has vast expertise regarding lobbying and governmental negotiations related to foreign trade matters concerning the automotive, electric, retail and chemical industries.

International full-service giant, Hogan Lovells' Mexican IT&C department is divided into two primary sub-practices: international trade/WTO procedures and customs matters. Managing partner Juan Francisco Torres and the talented Jorge Yañez (who is notably skilled on trade compliance and anti-dumping), focus on the international trade (dumping and subsidies) side, while fellow practice co-head Arturo Tiburcio sits at the helm of customs matters (closely supported by Yañez). A regular advisor to clients across a wide range of industries -including food and beverage, automotive, electronics and aviation- the practice also houses a number of other noteworthy members, including senior associate Mario Lara, who handles consultancy, litigation and administrative procedures, more specifically focusing on anti-dumping matters, tariff classification, customs compliance and regulations; and intermediate associate Brianda Ramirez.

The sturdy, four-strong practice at Holland & Knight continues to bolster its footprint in the international trade and customs arena thanks to steady growth over the last couple of years, and its dexterity handling a wide range of matters, including NAFTA verification-of-origin and renegotiation procedures, imports and exports, and WTO disputes and permits, among others. Heading the team are Luis Rubio, a seasoned practitioner in the area who is also well-known for his strength in corporate and transactional matters; and Carlos Vejar, who has a lengthy trajectory in both the public and private sectors (he worked at Mexico's Ministry of Economy -SE- for over 20 years), and garners praise from peer for his capabilities in investment arbitration.

The ‘highly qualified team’ at Santamarina y Steta continues to strengthen its presence in the international trade and customs sphere, thanks to its powerful skills handling a broad range of matters, particularly regarding the structuring of operations in line with customs obligations, FTAs, IMMEX (the maquiladora system), tariff and non-tariff matters, taxation, anti-dumping, verification-of-origin procedures, and associated disputes. Experienced partners Alejandro Luna and Ernesto Duhne head the department, which has earned a good reputation among multinational companies in the automotive, health, technology, aerospace, marine, pharmaceutical, retail and agro-industrial sectors. Associate Michel Zelaya, who has a ‘good handling of complex issues’, is another key asset of the practice.

Praised for his ‘impressive ability to simplify the most complex problems as well as to propose practical and low-cost solution’, Luis Miguel Jiménez heads the seven-strong international trade practice at Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC, which is a preferred choice for some big names from the automotive, consumer goods, food and life sciences industries. Jiménez, who has been assisting clients establish and operate their enterprises in Mexico for over two decades, handles compliance with the regulatory and legal provisions concerning international trade, customs regimes, and all local tax implications arising from such operations. Key associate support is provided by senior María de Lourdes Salazar, who covering a broad range of matters related to IMMEX and Prosec programmes, as well as handling VAT certifications.

Of counsel Mauricio Llamas and counsel Javier Cortés, who boasts over 25 years’ experience in custom duties and maquila-related work, including their tax implications, along with consumer protection, litigation and life-science regulatory issues, head the five-strong international trade and customs practice at Jones Day. The department, which can draw on the resources and expertise of the firm’s global network, is a regular advisor to domestic and international clients from across the manufacturing, maquila, retail, automotive, pharmaceuticals, mining and energy sectors on a wide range of trade matters, with a special focus on the maquiladora segment, regulatory matters, FTA mandates and litigation.