Manufacturing in Mexico

Most companies start by working with a shelter company (like a maquila operator) or establishing their own IMMEX-certified operation. We can help with the logistics side: storing raw materials in our Laredo FTZ, coordinating shipments to your Mexico plant, and managing finished goods back to the US.

A shelter company handles the administrative, HR, and compliance aspects of operating in Mexico while you focus on manufacturing. They provide the legal entity, hire workers, and manage government relationships. It's the fastest way to start manufacturing in Mexico without establishing your own subsidiary.

IMMEX allows duty-free import of materials for export manufacturing. If you're exporting most of your production, IMMEX saves significant money on duties and taxes. However, setting up IMMEX takes time. An alternative is to store materials in our US FTZ and ship to your Mexico plant as needed—your Mexican operation imports under their IMMEX or standard entry.

We specialize in supporting Mexico manufacturing operations: store raw materials duty-free in our Laredo FTZ, ship to your plant JIT, and handle finished goods back to the US. Laredo is 3 hours from Monterrey—same-day delivery to most industrial centers in Northern Mexico.

USMCA (the replacement for NAFTA) allows duty-free trade between the US and Mexico for qualifying goods. Products manufactured in Mexico with sufficient North American content can be imported to the US without duties. This makes Mexico an attractive alternative to Asian manufacturing.

Mexican manufacturing has matured significantly. Major automotive and aerospace companies manufacture in Mexico to global quality standards. Most companies establish their own QC processes at their Mexico facility, and the proximity makes site visits and oversight practical.