North America
MexicoChina sourcing guide
Plan your purchase from China, with supplier checks, import paperwork and delivery considered before shipment.
Discuss your sourcing needsPlan your first order
- Confirm that the importer has a valid RFC.
- Register in the general importer padrón and check whether sectoral registration also applies.
- Choose the broker or authorized representative who will file the pedimento.
- Collect invoice, packing list, valuation support, and origin documents.
- Check permits, notices, or sector-specific rules before shipping.
- Map the customs workflow before the cargo leaves China.
Import requirements
Imports into Mexico start with RFC and padrón registration, then pedimento filing through the authorized customs workflow.
- RFC
- Padrón
- Pedimento
- Broker filing
General importer padrón remains mandatory
SAT states that people and companies that want to import goods must register in the general importer padrón through the SAT portal, with extra registration for some sectors.
SAT padrón inscriptionCurrent padrón status should be checked live
SAT maintains active and suspended padrón lists and current cut-off dates, which buyers should review instead of assuming importer status is still live.
SAT padrón indexANAM defines the import workflow around the pedimento
ANAM's import guide explains that imports are processed through a pedimento by SAT-accredited people and that RFC, classification, and non-tariff rules must already be in order.
ANAM import guideBroker co-responsibility remains material
ANAM states that customs brokers and agencies are co-responsible for compliance and participate in classification, document review, and pedimento transmission.
ANAM brokers and agenciesFrom order to delivery
Validate importer status
Confirm RFC, padrón registration, and any sectoral padrón requirements before the shipment leaves China.
Assign the filing party
Route the import through an agente aduanal, apoderado aduanal, or authorized legal representative.
Assemble the pedimento file
Prepare invoice, valuation support, classification data, and any permits or notices required for clearance.
Transmit and release
Broker transmits the pedimento and annexes, customs reviews the file, and cargo is released once requirements are met.
Market context
For China-to-Mexico sourcing, lead with SAT importer registration and broker-led pedimento processing. Current SAT and ANAM guidance centers the RFC, the importer padrón, and the customs-broker workflow.
Importer gatekeeping is explicit
SAT treats padrón registration as part of market access, so serious buyers need importer setup cleared before the first container or air shipment.
Broker-led compliance is standard
ANAM and SAT guidance make the customs broker or authorized representative a core operating partner in the import file.
Document readiness reduces friction
A complete classification, origin, and valuation package makes the pedimento workflow cleaner and easier to defend.
Choosing your sourcing partners
- Pick partners who can validate padrón and sectoral status before booking freight.
- Ask who will own the pedimento and supporting document set from day one.
- Prefer brokers who can handle classification and permit checks early.
- Choose teams that keep the RFC, origin, and valuation trail clean across repeat orders.