Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C.'s global network is well suited to international trade advice and the firm has several Mexico offices to facilitate close collaboration with the various industrial hubs of the country. A host of multinationals from across the spectrum of key business sectors look to the department for trade and customs advice. A draw for clients is the firm’s dedicated customs department, which advises on the structuring and establishment of Immex operations, audits, customs litigation, international trade agreements and all related dealings with the Mexican authorities. Co-leader of the practice Adriana Ibarra-Fernández is well versed in the full range of Mexico-specific international trade matters, and is also a key counsel in customs audits and customs litigation. Fellow co-head Manuel Padrón-Castillo, based in Ciudad Juárez, who is one of the go-to names in the jurisdiction for work in the maquiladora industry. In Monterrey, Armando De Lille-Calatayud is a key contact for trade strategy and litigation; while Daniel Sánchez-Elizondo, in Guadalajara, is knowledgeable across all matters of customs compliance. A healthy pipeline of younger, trade-focused talent includes Jorge Ambriz-Cuevas, Verónica Rejón-Avina, José Hoyos-Robles, and counsel Andrea Diéguez-Orozco.

A diverse international client base in terms of both industry sector and home jurisdiction look to the international trade and customs practice at EC Rubio for a broad range of issues relating to business activity with Mexican law implications. Of particular note is the team’s strengths in anti-dumping investigations, countervailing duties and safeguarding measures, while US-related trade issues are also handled, including the increasingly important trend of nearshoring. Felipe Mendoza and Fernando Holguín are the senior contacts to note at the firm’s office in Ciudad Juárez; both maintain busy practices focused on tax and foreign trade in Mexico. The broad leadership team also includes several experienced practitioners based in Mexico City: Juan Carlos Partida, a trade remedies and customs expert; Eduardo David, who focuses on M&A; and Arturo Bañuelos, who has a broad advisory practice regarding trade matters (while also being one of the firm’s go-to litigators), are all key practice figures. At associate level, senior Luis Delgado is forging a strong practice in the sector, acting as advisory counsel on the full scope of tax, international trade and administrative law matters.

The 'approachable, attentive and focused' practitioners at Sánchez Devanny's international trade and customs department are counsel of choice for both an advisory and contentious matters to a large and diverse group of multinationals on the full suite of cross-border operations. The firm’s prowess in the life sciences space ensures it is often retained by chemical, pharmaceutical and medical devices companies, while the food and beverages, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco and steel industries are all further areas of strength. The team's slate of work regularly includes import/export matters, Immex issues, advice on different free trade agreements, origin verification, M&A customs analysis and customs measures, among other specialties. Co-head of the practice, Eduardo Sotelo comes with client recommendation and stands out for his experience in complex litigation deriving from international trade and customs matters. Fellow co-lead José Alberto Campos can draw on over 25 years' experience to advises multinational and Mexican clients on international transactions and cross-border operations involving Mexican free trade agreements, import duties, export development programs, and customs requirements and international trade issues. The hire of Monterrey-based Roberto Serralde from Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. has added further strength in compliance; while at senior associate level, María Luisa Mendoza and Juan Carlos Jiminez in Mexico City and Querétaro, respectively, are the key names.

Praised for its ‘accumulated experience of consulting on trade issues from various customers in different countries‘, specialist international trade firm Vázquez Tercero & Zepeda is a strong choice for the full range of matters in cross-border deals involving Mexican law. Its client roster includes major names in a wide range of industries, both from Mexico and abroad, who look to the practice for advice on maquiladora matters, trade remedies, origin verification, tax planning, litigation, and business and regulatory law, among other matters. Following his January 2024 arrival from Martinez Ochoa Abogados, S.C, Miguel Ángel Martínez co-leads the offering alongside managing partner Adrián Vázquez in Mexico City, who has standout recent experience in trade matters involving Chinese companies; and Guadalajara-based partner Eduardo Zepeda, who directs the IMMEX and customs practice at the firm. Emilio Arteaga is a key junior partner in Mexico City, where he provides key support to Vázquez on a range of matters involving trade between Mexico and a number of Asian countries; while Alejandro Martínez Rivera is Zepeda’s right-hand man in Guadalajara.

‘Always very up to date on foreign trade issues‘, Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa has a strong history in supporting international clients on their activity in Mexico, assisting those seeking to obtain commercial, fiscal, and regulatory benefits, as well as advising on the range of trade agreements the country has with other jurisdictions. Consultancy, planning and litigation are all handled by the department, which is led by Ricardo Romero, one of the market’s leading figures in export promotion programs, anti-dumping, international trade agreements and Ex/Im regulatory issues. Gerardo Canseco has broad expertise in trade matters, including maquila operations, and is also a partner in the energy practice. For litigation relating to trade agreements, Jose Maria Garcia is the name to note; while clients also appreciate Gibrán Hazar as an 'expert in matters of administrative and constitutional law and associated  protections'. Former partner Guillermo Sánchez Chao left the firm in January 2024

As one of the best recognised Mexican full-service firms, Galicia Abogados S.C. is a natural destination for a host of foreign and multinational clients needing assistance navigating the various regulations and trade agreements relevant to trade matters involving Mexican law. One area of notable activity, recently, has been acting for clients in audits by the Mexican tax authorities with respect to VAT assessments. Disputes resulting from international trade are an undoubted strength of the team, although it also has a robust advisory offering and cross-border M&A support capability. Practice co-head Mario Valencia has recently helped bolster the firm’s offering on nearshoring matters, paying frequent visits to the firm’s Monterrey office to facilitate this. Fellow co-lead Daniel Amézquita is a litigator well versed in administrative and constitutional challenges to the stances taken by government agencies and entities. Senior associate Andrés Muñiz Cordova is a mainstay for counsel on import and export regulations, with Fernando Rodríguez and Sheidel Francioli further associate-level contacts to note.

Holland & Knight acts for a prestigious, multinational client list on a range of issues connected with international trade concerning Mexico. The international scope of the firm naturally serves as a boon to clients in this area, and in terms of the expertise at the firm's Mexico offices, the team is well versed in matters relating to Nafta and the USMCA, along with World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreements. Dispute resolution of all methods in this area is also a strength of the practice. Leading the team are two of the most experienced and best recognised lawyers in this category: Turenna Ramírez-Ortiz -who arrived from Sánchez Devanny in April 2023- advises a diverse client base on the most sophisticated matters concerning foreign trade, multilateral treaties and antidumping laws; Luis Rubio, in turn, has over three decades' experience in Mexico-related trade and customs advice (having previously been involved in the Nafta negotiations), and has advised the Mexican government as well as major domestic and international companies. Cinthia Hernández stands out from a deep pool of associate talent. Former partner Carlos Véjar left the firm in August 2023.

Jáuregui y Del Valle, S.C. fields one of the leading practices in Mexico for antidumping matters and issues relating to countervailing duties. The firm’s practice across international trade and customs also encompasses litigation, trade policy, and multilateral and bilateral trade agreements. As one of the firms involved in designing the proposals for Mexico’s part in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the firm is now active in related advice for a number of clients. Praised for his 'exceptional' leadership, practice head David Hurtado has experience advising in the pharmaceutical, automotive, farming, food and beverage, and electronics sectors, among others. Primary support comes from senior associate Julia García de Acevedo, who advises on all issues related to international trade, including antidumping regulations, customs law, and regulatory issues within the health sector. Associate Carlos Solano Ortiz adds depth as regards contentious matters.

Receiving considerable praise for its professionalism, international trade is one of its key pillars at Aguilar y Loera S.C., with the practice group handling antidumping, subsidies and safeguard investigations, among other specialist market segments. It has a notable domestic client base that spans a variety of industry sectors, while also acting for foreign companies, most often as investigated exporters. Practice head and founding partner Luis Felipe Aguilar has broad experience across international commerce, customs and investment matters, with Fiamma Rizzo also a key member of the team, particularly for antidumping counsel. Senior associate Patricia Arratibel and associate Ricardo Peraza provide experienced support.

Drawing on experience acting on the government side of trade matters, Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C.'s team acts across a broad range of matters, including antidumping procedures for Mexican manufacturers the defence of exporters and importers in relation to antidumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguard procedures; and administrative remedies before the Mexican Ministry of Economy. Its multidisciplinary practice is co-led by foreign trade expert Sergio Barajas, who excels in tax and administrative law; and tax consultant Alejandro Barrera. Support at the associate level comes from Gustavo Guillén, another tax lawyer who works on both consultancy and customs litigation. Former partner Roberto Serralde and associate Pamela Pinto both left the firm in September 2023.

Von Wobeser y Sierra, SC's international trade offering is especially strong in the automotive, electrical manufacturing and the steel production industries. It is a frequent advisor to US-based businesses and their Mexican subsidiaries, assisting with establishment of operations in Mexico and the ongoing administration of production facilities. Disputes are also a notable strength, with the practice handling representation in both audits and tax litigation. At the head of the practice, Luis Miguel Jiménez is an experienced advisor in international trade and customs, and co-chairs the firm’s automotive and manufacturing industry groups, as well as its ESG practice. A further key contact for automotive clients, counsel Lourdes Salazar also has strong knowledge of the pharmaceuticals and life sciences industries. Associates Fernando Mancilla and Miguel Concha are additional names to note.

Cuesta Campos y Asociados S.C. has a strong focus on assisting clients with establishing manufacturing operations in Mexico, as well as managing their early navigation of customs regulations in the country. Support through customs audits are a further strength of a department that is led by Alejandro Martínez from the firm’s Guadalajara office. Martínez has broad experience across foreign trade, customs and regulatory compliance, customs valuation, and import and export promotion programs.

The combination of Hogan Lovells' international network and its established presence in Mexico make it a fixture of the country’s international trade landscape, assisting with compliance, trade remedies, and customs law. In the latter discipline, Arturo Tiburcio is the lead contact to note, a litigator with broad tax and trade expertise. Senior partner Juan Francisco Torres Landa oversees antidumping, subsidies and other trade remedies, with Mauricio Llamas the name to note for foreign trade compliance. Senior associate Mario Lara and associate Antonio Cervantes assist the practice heads across the full range of matters. Jorge Yáñez left the firm in September 2023.

'Expert in the international trade and customs field', Horacio López Portillo is the main contact at López Portillo Consultores, S.C., a boutique firm with an international trade offering that has particular strengths in compliance with Mexico’s import and export regulations, antidumping mandates and tariff classifications. Associate Sara Medina Espinosa is the primary support to López Portillo, assisting across the full spectrum of matters.

Santamarina y Steta assists a host of multinationals’ Mexican subsidiaries with international trade and customs matters, as well as providing a robust broader service that combines foreign trade with tax advice, administrative law and tax litigation. Work includes assistance with origin verification procedures, administrative procedures in customs matters (PAMAS), and reviews initiated by the tax authority. The practice also has capability in antidumping and countervailing proceedings. Alejandro Luna and Mariano Calderón share leadership duties, with experienced associate Michel Zelaya an additional key figure, especially in antidumping matters.