Office of Public Affairs
Related Information
For Immediate Release: May 29, 2013
Contact: Mara lee (202) 482-3809
U.S. Exporters Benefit from New Streamlined Audit Procedures Implemented by Mexican Government
Workshop held in Mexico City on the implementation of new procedures
MEXICO CITY – U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez and representatives from 20 U.S. textile companies joined Mexican government officials today in Mexico City for a workshop regarding recently implemented and streamlined audit procedures for the verification of products entering Mexico.
The procedures seek to avoid the illegal transshipment of textiles and other products under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The new approach will use a sampling method with the intent to reduce the amount of paperwork, cost and time for U.S. companies to comply with the rules.
“I am pleased the Mexican authorities have implemented these new procedures,” said Sánchez. “There was a great deal of concern on the part of U.S. exporters about the costly and overly burdensome process that was in place for years. I appreciate Mexico hosting this workshop and being responsive to our industry´s concerns.”
Mexico is the United States’ second largest export market, and trade between both nations was nearly $500 billion in 2012. The textile and apparel sector is a key component of the trade between the United States and Mexico, accounting for almost $10 billion last year. The sector had been significantly impacted by the previous product verification rules.
“During the last 18 months, I have been contacted by more than two dozen U.S. textile companies alone, and I am pleased to lead a delegation of U.S. textile and other companies to Mexico to hear first-hand the new streamlined process,” said Sánchez.
###
International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,400 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 70 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.
The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, manages this global trade site to provide access to ITA information on promoting trade and investment, strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. This site contains PDF documents. A PDF reader is available from Adobe Systems Incorporated.