Mexico

For US customs, the country of origin is generally where a product is manufactured, produced, or grown—not the country it was shipped from. If goods made in another country are routed through Mexico, that routing alone usually does not change their origin. Origin is determined under applicable customs rules, including whether processing in Mexico or another country creates a substantial transformation (a change that results in a new product with a different name, character, or use).

Origin matters because tariff measures can be assigned by the exporting country, the country of origin, the product’s Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification, or a combination of these factors. For goods claimed as originating in Mexico, an importer should also check any applicable US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) rules and certification requirements. Common pitfalls include treating the shipping country as origin, relying only on the last assembly location, overlooking the origin of major components, and using an incorrect HTS classification.

What to check

• Trace where the product and its key components were made, and separately record the shipping or export country.
• Review the manufacturing steps in each country and assess whether processing in Mexico or elsewhere substantially transforms the goods under the applicable US customs rule.
• Confirm the HTS classification before checking which country-specific or origin-based measures apply; classification and origin are separate determinations.
• Collect and retain bills of materials, production records, supplier origin statements, invoices, and transport documents that support the claimed origin.
• Check whether a USMCA claim or other preference requires a specific origin rule, certification, recordkeeping process, or customs-broker review.