Politics · Mexico · 1 hr ago
Mexico’s Senate approves tougher penalties for customs violations involving fuel
Mexico’s Senate approved changes to the national customs law by 66 votes to 37, with one abstention.
The amendment targets inaccurate, incomplete or false import declarations involving hydrocarbons and petroleum products.
Importers who submit such information could face fines of 50% to 100% of the goods’ commercial value.
The changes aim to help authorities detect goods declared at artificially low values, which can reduce tax payments and disadvantage businesses that follow the rules.
Senator Imelda Sanmiguel Sánchez criticized the penalties as disproportionate, saying they could treat legitimate businesses like fuel smugglers.
The amendment was sent to the federal executive for publication and is proposed to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Mexico’s Senate approved changes to the Customs Law aimed at combating undervaluation of goods and fuel smuggling known as “fiscal huachicol.”
The reform adds fines of 50% to 100% of the commercial value of hydrocarbons and petroleum products for certain documentation and reporting violations.
It removes the previous threshold of more than 50% undervaluation for precautionary seizures and sets different ways importers can replace a seizure with a deposit.
Opposition senators criticized the authorities’ discretion and the proportionality of the penalties.
The reports give different vote counts: El Economista MX reports 66 votes in favor and 34 against, while El Universal reports 66 in favor, 37 against and one abstention.
- Who
- Mexico’s Senate approved the reform. Senators from Morena supported it, while opposition senators raised objections.
- What
- It changes the Customs Law to address undervaluation and fuel smuggling, including fines of 50% to 100% of the commercial value for certain violations involving hydrocarbons and petroleum products.
- When
- The Senate approved it on Tuesday; the reports were published on October 13 and 14, 2026. It is due to take effect on January 1, 2027.
- Where
- Mexico.
- Why
- The reform aims to help authorities identify and combat undervaluation, protect tax revenue and address fuel smuggling.
Reform supporters
Reform opponents
Customs enforcement
Reform supporters
Supporters said stronger tools would help authorities identify irregularities and protect tax revenue.
Reform opponents
Opponents warned that the reform gives customs authorities too much discretion to seize goods.
Penalties
Reform supporters
Supporters said the penalties would help combat fuel smuggling and violations involving documentation and reporting.
Reform opponents
Opponents questioned whether the penalties are proportionate and argued that legitimate companies could face the same treatment as smugglers over administrative irregularities.
The Senate approved the reform and sent it to the federal executive for publication, according to El Universal.
The reform is scheduled to take effect, after administrative provisions are issued to specify applicable goods and procedures.
- Senate vote
- El Economista MX: 66 in favor, 34 against; El Universal: 66 in favor, 37 against and one abstention
- Fuel-related fines
- 50% to 100% of the commercial value of the goods
- Previous seizure threshold
- More than 50% suspected undervaluation
- Effective date
- January 1, 2027
- Implementing agency
- National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM)
2 sources
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What people are saying
The reform aims to strengthen the powers of customs authorities to prevent, identify and combat possible practices of undervaluation.
Clear rules will be decisive for its application.
This reform shows a state absent and intolerant toward businesspeople.