Foreign trade operations with Mexico.

IMMEX allows a company established in Mexico to temporarily import goods (raw materials, components, machinery) without paying VAT or duties, provided those goods are used to produce products destined for export.

It suits foreign companies that: produce in Mexico to re-export to the US or Europe, assemble in Mexico as part of global value chains, or provide export services from Mexico (for example, software, engineering).

It does not suit companies whose final destination is the Mexican domestic market.

Under the modernised EU-Mexico FTA, 99% of tariff lines between the EU and Mexico are duty-free. The exceptions concentrate on certain sensitive agricultural products (sugar, banana, some dairy).

To access the tariff preference, it is essential to comply with the treaty's rules of origin and issue the corresponding certificate of origin (EUR.1 or authorised exporter declaration, depending on volume).

Not necessarily. For occasional export operations to an independent Mexican importer, it is enough to meet Mexican customs requirements on the importer's side (the buyer's responsibility). Your Spanish company only needs to manage the export from Spain.

It is worth setting up a structure in Mexico when: volume is significant and recurring, you want to control the distribution chain, you need access to incentive programmes such as IMMEX, or you sell to Mexican final consumers.

EUR.1 is the preferential certificate of origin that proves the goods comply with the EU-Mexico FTA rules of origin and, therefore, can benefit from tariff preferences.

It is needed for shipments valued above EUR 6,000 (below that threshold, an exporter declaration on the invoice is sufficient). It is issued by the customs authorities of the country of origin following the exporter's request. For frequent exporters, there is the "Authorised Exporter" status, which allows self-certification.

The Spain-Mexico DTT, in force since 1994 (with an amending protocol from 2015), governs double taxation on income and wealth. The main mechanisms:

• Dividends: reduced withholding of 0%, 5% or 10% depending on the participation percentage.
• Interest: general withholding of 4.9% for banks, 10% for others.
• Royalties: 10% withholding.
• Business profits: taxed only in the State of residence, unless a permanent establishment exists.

To apply the DTT, the taxpayer needs a tax residence certificate and must meet the formal requirements (Form 210 in Spain, equivalent forms in Mexico).

The RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes / Federal Taxpayer Registry) is the Mexican equivalent of the Spanish NIF. Every individual or legal entity carrying out taxable operations in Mexico needs an RFC.

A Spanish company that imports occasionally into Mexico does not need its own RFC (the Mexican importer handles customs with their RFC). But if the Spanish company wants to invoice directly in Mexico, manage intra-group operations or establish a presence, it does need an RFC.

NOMs are mandatory Mexican technical standards for certain products: labelling, safety, quality, nutritional content, technical specifications. They apply both to domestic production and to imports.

Before exporting to Mexico, you must verify which NOMs apply to the product and obtain the corresponding certifications. This is one of the points where operations are most often delayed due to lack of prior knowledge.