Customs filings
Mexico changes NOM checks for selected imports
Mexico amended Annex 2.4.1 of its foreign-trade rules, which identifies goods that must demonstrate compliance with Mexican Official Standards (NOMs) at the border. The changes cover specified drinking-water plumbing goods under NOM-012-CONAGUA-2021, small AC motors under NOM-033-ENER-2019 and certain mobile terminals under NOM-221-SCFI-2017 or NOM-221/2-SCFI-2018. The plumbing and motor provisions took effect on September 29, 2026; the mobile-terminal provisions take effect 30 business days after the September 28 publication.
What changed
This is a product-and-tariff-line compliance change, not a new import duty. For example, the annex lists selected PVC pipe, potable-water valves, taps, hoses, sink packages and sanitary fittings, with “only” limitations that tie coverage to drinking-water installations.
The motor entries concern air-cooled AC motors in the stated 1 W to under 180 W range and specified technical types.
The mobile-terminal entries include 8517.13.01, 8517.14.91, 8517.18.99, 8517.62.17 and 8517.69.99, but the annex limits them to devices within the relevant radio-band or network-connected scope; 8517.18.99 also carries NOM-221-SCFI-2017.
A broker should read the exact annex row, NICO and product limitation rather than assuming every item under a listed heading needs every NOM. The delayed start for the two mobile standards is stated as 30 business days, not 30 calendar days; confirm the applicable date before arrival. The agreement does not waive any existing permit or certification route.
What an import team should check
- Map each SKU to its Mexican tariff line, NICO and the exact “only” limitation in Annex 2.4.1 before booking border clearance.
- For drinking-water fittings, motors and mobile terminals, obtain the relevant conformity evidence from the supplier and confirm the named NOM actually applies to the product.
- Separate the September 29 start for plumbing and motor provisions from the 30-business-day start for mobile-terminal NOMs in your shipment schedule.