The combination of Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C.’s breadth of domestic coverage (with offices in Cd. Juárez, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey and Tijuana), and its position as an integral part of the wider firm's global network, make for powerhouse international trade and customs capability that can support a multinational client base on the full suite of sectoral matters. A dedicated customs team assists with the structuring and establishment of IMMEX operations; audits; customs litigation; international trade agreements; and all related dealings with the Mexican authorities. The department is co-led by Manuel Padrón-Castillo, in Cd. Juárez, who is especially experienced in the maquiladora industry; and Adriana Ibarra-Fernández, in Mexico City, a key figure in the market who has professional experience at the Ministry of Economy. Armando De Lille-Calatayud is the name to note in Monterrey and a reliable figure for strategy, audits and customs litigation. In Guadalajara, Daniel Sánchez-Elizondo and Verónica Rejón-Avina both maintain broad customs practices; partners Jorge Ambriz-Cuevas (Cd. Juárez) and José Hoyos-Robles (Mexico City), and of counsel Andrea Diéguez-Orozco (also in Mexico City), are all further names to note.

Drawing on a ‘deep experience in trade law’, the international trade team at EC Rubio has an impressive breadth of expertise and experience, and assists its clients with everything from minor filing and compliance matters to international dispute resolution proceedings. Anti-dumping investigations and countervailing duties are two areas in which the team is particularly experienced, and the department is also one of the standouts in the market on the full range of NAFTA / USMCA matters. Leadership is divided between four lawyers in two Mexico offices: in Mexico City, trade remedies and customs expert Juan Carlos Partida and M&A lawyer Eduardo David are the practice heads; while in Cd. Juárez, Felipe Mendoza and Fernando Holguín are the names to note, both with practices focused on tax and foreign trade. Arturo Bañuelos is the primary litigation contact, while Alejandro Montes and Edmundo Hernández are reliable counsel on free trade agreements, among other market segments.

Vázquez Tercero & Zepeda fields a team focused exclusively on international trade and customs law, regularly counselling on compliance with customs obligations, the IMMEX program, anti-dumping and countervailing duties, free trade agreements, export controls, and all related dispute resolution. The firm also handles tax, corporate business and regulatory matters. The practice boasts a wealth of specialists: in Mexico City, managing partner Adrián Vázquez and senior partner Eduardo Zepeda are the key figures, with Verónica Vázquez Bravo also handling regulatory and customs matters, and Emilio Arteaga Vázquez focusing on international trade and dispute resolution. Elsewhere, Olga Torres (in Dallas, TX), handles export controls and customs matters; Dora Luz Galindo (in Pubela) combines her international trade and customs practice with corporate matters; Edgar Corona (in Reynosa)is focuses on customs work; and Ricardo Salas (in León) also undertakes the full range of IT&C matters. Since publication, the practice has been further strengthened with the incorporations of IT&C specialist Miguel Ángel Martín and associate Julian Luna (from Martinez Ochoa Abogados, S.C.); the firm has also hired Ivan Szymanski (formerly at Santamarina y Steta), to open a new competition and compliance practice - effective as of January 2024.

Clients of Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa’s international trade practice appreciate the ‘knowledge and confidence’ of a team that is well-versed in keeping its clients abreast of the commercial, fiscal, and regulatory benefits applicable in its cross-border transactions. Guillermo Sánchez Chao is praised for his ‘skilful conflict management’ and is an expert on a broad array of IT&C issues, from supply chain matters and free trade agreements, to regulatory law and litigation. He co-leads the department with Ricardo Romero, whose trade, customs and tax law expertise includes export promotion programs, international trade agreements, anti-dumping, and regulatory issues related to imports and exports. Gerardo Canseco is particularly experienced in the energy sector-related trade matters, and associate Oswaldo Estrada is highlighted by clients. Eduardo Díaz Gavito left the firm in October 2022. Since publication, Sánchez Chao has left the firm to found the IT&C practice at Greenberg Traurig, S.C.’s Mexico office – effective as of January 2024.

Galicia Abogados S.C.’s position as a full-service heavyweight grants it a strong standing in the international trade space, with the energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and finance  sectors all being areas of particular strength. It has recently played a key role as counsel to energy sector clients in litigation against the Mexican government, its specific international trade expertise being leveraged in argumentation regarding the breach of international treaties. Both Mexican and international clients look to the department for advice on the range of customs matters, as well as local and foreign anti-dumping and subsidies investigations. Mario Valencia and Daniel Amézquita co-lead the practice from the Mexico City office, with ley support provided by associates Fernando Rodríguez and José Andrés Muñiz, the latter of whom heads the practice in Monterrey.

Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C. is a strong choice for anti-dumping matters and countervailing duties work but more broadly offers a wide-ranging service in international trade that covers litigation, trade policy, and multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, among other issues. Multinationals in the food sector have been a notably strong source of mandates for the practice recently. Department head David Hurtado Badiola is a renowned figure in the market and has particularly strong experience assisting US clients on their dealings with the Mexican authorities. Senior associate Julia García De Acevedo provides primary support and has expertise in anti-dumping, customs and health-related international commerce.

Sánchez Devanny is admired for its ‘excellent service’ in international trade and customs matters where it advises numerous multinationals on the full suite of cross-border operations in both an advisory and contentious capacity. Import/export matters and customs and administrative litigation are among the standout strengths for the practice group. The 10-strong team is co-led by Eduardo Sotelo-Cauduro, who has experience in complex litigation deriving from international trade and customs matters; and José Alberto Campos, an expert in transactions and cross border operations regarding Mexican free trade agreements, import duties and customs. Key support is provided by senior associates María Luisa Mendoza and Juan Carlos Jimenez in Mexico City and Querétaro, respectively. Former practice co-head Turenna Ramírez-Ortiz and associate Cinthia Hernández departed the firm in April 2023, since when the firm has hired former Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C.-partner Roberto Serralde (international trade and customs; and tax advisory, controversy, compliance and planning) as an additional departmental lead - effective as of September 2023.

With strong offerings in both WTO proceedings and international trade matters, and customs law, Hogan Lovells has a broad practice that is notable for having been involved in some of the most complex anti-dumping investigations in Mexico. On the customs side, the full suite of administrative, advisory and litigious work is handled by the department which is co-led by a trio of experienced partners. Mario Jorge Yañez is a fully dedicated international trade specialist; Juan Francisco Torres Landa is the firm’s Latin America group chair for international trade; and Arturo Tiburcio is a litigator with a focus on both trade and tax issues. Senior associate Mario Lara and associate Brianda Ramírez assist the practice heads across all IC&T matters.

In April 2023 Holland & Knight hired Turenna Ramírez-Ortiz, former head of Sánchez Devanny’s international trade and customs practice, to deepen its expertise in the area. She adds over 25 years’ experience in advising multinationals on their cross-border transactions to a team that had strength regarding investment strategies, customs procedures, regulatory compliance and unfair trade practices. The department is jointly led by Carlos Véjar, a recognised lead lawyer for trade matters between Mexican and US entities; and Luis Rubio, who acts for domestic and international corporations, trade associations, and the Mexican Government on regulatory matters and international trade proceedings. Josafat Paredes is the associate-level contact to note. Since the conclusion of research, Véjar has left the firm – effective as of August 2023.

From the firm’s head office in Guadalajara, Edmundo Elías-Fernández leads the international trade and customs department at Ramos, Ripoll & Schuster, drawing on extensive experience in various industries, including the maquiladora sector, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, automotive, consumer products and IT. The department has increased its profile, of late, due to its work advising clients - including Fortune 500 companies - on relations with the Mexican government. Key support to Elías-Fernández comes primarily from associate Daniel Torres-Güémez.

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC is recognised as a strong choice for foreign clients, particularly US businesses and their Mexican subsidiaries, needing advice on establishing operations in Mexico and the ongoing administration of production facilities. The international trade and customs practice is also adept in representation before the tax and customs authorities regarding audits and in litigation, when necessary. Luis Miguel Jiménez leads the department and has extensive experience in the international trade and customs space; reflecting an industry strength in the wider firm, he has particular knowledge of the automotive industry - a sector in which the practice is well ingrained. Counsel Lourdes Salazar is the main support and has notable experience assisting clients enrolled in the Immex programme.

The foreign trade practice at Cuesta Campos y Asociados S.C. has developed strongly over the last decade and provides an impressive offering for clients establishing operations in Mexico. In recent years practice head Alejandro Martínez and his team have advised foreign clients from a host of sectors on the application of the IT&C regulatory framework, particularly when related to manufacturing operations. Associate Alondra Vargas is the supporting lawyer to note.

Santamarina y Steta regularly advises multinationals operating in Mexico on their compliance with international trade and customs regulations. The team is a reliable choice for Immex programme matters, and obtaining temporary VAT certification and other authorisations to allow companies to temporarily import or export certain goods and equipment. The manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical device, food and retail industries are particular areas of strength for practice co-head Alejandro Luna; while fellow department head Mariano Calderón is an expert in administrative proceedings related to customs' matters and government procurement dispute resolution. Associate Michel Zelaya supports across the range of trade matters, particularly on anti-dumping cases.