CHTA UPDATE
Mexico's Central Customs Office Sends Correspondence Indicating Import Certificate from COFEPRIS is NOT REQUIRED for Canadian Hemp Seed and Oil Exports
August 22, 2019 - The purpose of this message is to provide an update on the situation related to imports of Canadian hemp products into Mexico (see below for original MASS message from April 3, 2019).
Mexico's Central Customs Office has recently indicated to a Mexican importer (correspondence was shared with Embassy) that, in their view, Canadian hemp seed and oil do not require an import permit from Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS). On this basis, a shipment of Canadian hemp seed that was stuck at the Laredo, Texas border was recently released and approved for import into Mexico after being on hold for several weeks.
Mexico's Central Customs Office noted in its correspondence that only hemp proteins classified as nutritional supplements (HS code 2106.90.99) require a sanitary import permit from COFEPRIS (standard procedure to obtain an import permit for products regulated by COFEPRIS applies).
The Canadian Embassy to Mexico strongly recommends that Canadian hemp exporters use the Nuevo Laredo border crossing for hemp oil and hemp seed products given that the Nuevo Laredo Customs Office has been made aware of the above-mentioned letter and it's content, Embassy representatives have met with them and educated them about hemp products, and a shipment of Canadian hemp seed and oil was recently imported through this border crossing.
If Canadian exporters choose to use of a different border crossing, it is strongly recommended that the Canadian exporter consult with their Mexican importer beforehand so that the importer can confirm that the Mexican Customs Authority is aware of the above mentioned letter and it's contexts at that border crossing.
For additional information or details about the letter from Mexico's Central Customs Office, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Alejandro Ruiz, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Embassy to Mexico (Alejandro.ruiz@international.gc.ca or via telephone at 011 52 55 57247989).
Please share this information with your members.
Market Access Secretariat | Secrétariat à l'accès aux marchés
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada
1341 Baseline Road, T5-3-346 | 1341, chemin Baseline, T5-3-346
Ottawa, Ontario | Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0C5
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Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada