Mexico Introduced Restrictions to Products Imports

Mexico has temporarily restricted the import of several petrochemicals and some unfinished refined products, that the government said are used as blending components in ways that break or skirt tax and fuel theft laws. The decree also placed additional controls on imports of gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, jet fuel, crude oil, fuel oil and others according to Argus Media.

• Companies can still import oil products, such as gasoline and diesel but will need an additional permit from the energy ministry’s undersecretary of hydrocarbons, stating the amount and final use. Firms that already hold permits can continue exports but need to provide additional information within 30 days.
• The presidential decree came into effect on 24 October, after inspections showed only 25% of purchases corresponding to gasoline and diesel complied with current regulations, while 75% of other goods registered exceeded the domestic industry’s raw material use by 40 times.
• The decree does not impede free trade of finished gasoline and diesel that comply with applicable laws, it said.