Mexican Border IssuesErica Venancio posted on 6/16/2011

Mexican Border Problems Arise

The Customs Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT) recently released a list of seal requirements for Manufacturers that ideally would be in place by March 2012.  (Click Here to view list.)

Many view it as only a U.S. issue.  As of right now, grain industry will not need the new seals on southbound loads.  This currently only involves traffic coming into the U.S.  Shippers have been in contact with the Customs and Border Protection agency and are being told that cars will have to be sealed coming northbound but currently the seals can be the widely used aluminum seals that many shippers use today.

There is a possibility that Mexico will implement the same standards that the U.S. is implementing, and TEGMA will keep on top of the issue until Mexico decides to also adhere to new seal regulations on southbound loads. The most current issue is that cars will have to be sealed moving northbound as empties.  If contraband is found in the cars moving northbound, huge penalties could be assessed.  If the cars have seals, they should be able to be traced back to the place where the car started its movement northbound and the penalties will be assessed against the customer.  

The TEGMA Issues Committee has met and discussed this issue and would like to hear any issues members are having in Mexico to more adequately address the problem.