The pedimento de importación is the document that declares foreign goods to Mexican customs. It states what enters the country, what it is worth, where it comes from, the customs regime and the taxes it pays. Without a paid and validated pedimento, the cargo does not leave the port or airport.
For an importing company, the pedimento is also the proof that the goods entered Mexico legally. It is worth keeping and worth knowing how to read.
What a pedimento is
A customs broker or customs agency prepares and files the pedimento on behalf of the importer. Since the 2026 changes to the Customs Law rules, the customs broker and the importer are jointly liable for declaring the type of goods, their price and the importer’s details correctly, so the data must match the commercial invoice, the bill of lading and the goods actually in the container.
When something does not match, such as a quantity, a description or a value, customs can hold the cargo for inspection. Every day held in port generates storage costs.
The definitive import code and other codes
Every pedimento carries a code (clave) for the type of operation. The most common for an import is the definitive import, used when the goods enter to stay in Mexico and be sold or used here.
Other codes cover different cases, such as the temporary import of goods that will later leave the country. The customs broker chooses the code according to how the goods will be used, and a wrong code changes the taxes and obligations.
How to read a pedimento, field by field
A pedimento has many fields, but to check your import these are the ones to look at:
- The pedimento number, which identifies the operation and lets you look it up later.
- The importer’s details, which must be your company’s and its RFC (tax ID).
- The tariff classification of each item. It sets the duty, the import VAT and the permits that apply. More in the guide to tariff classification.
- The customs value, on which taxes are calculated.
- The taxes and fees paid.
Before the customs broker validates the pedimento, check that the description, quantity and value match your invoice. Correcting before costs less than correcting after.
Who files it and how long it takes
The customs broker files the pedimento with the documents supplied by the importer and the carrier. The sooner the broker has the documents, the sooner the work starts.
We hand the cargo and its documents to the customs broker 24 to 48 hours before the shipment arrives, even if another agency clears the import. Clearance starts as soon as the goods land and no storage charges build up. Our customs agency invoices the import directly to your company. More in customs clearance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Mexican import pedimento? It is the customs declaration for goods entering Mexico, with their description, value, tariff classification and the taxes they pay.
Who prepares the pedimento? A customs broker or customs agency, on behalf of the importing company.
How do I avoid delays at Mexican customs? With complete documents that match each other, delivered to the customs broker before the cargo arrives. We deliver them 24 to 48 hours before arrival.