As part of the “Plan México” initiative and the federal government’s broader administrative simplification policy, on May 4, 2026, the Mexican government published in the evening edition of the Official Journal of the Federationthe “Decree Enabling the Single Portal for Foreign Trade Procedures” (the “Single Portal”).

This new framework represents a significant restructuring of Mexico’s foreign trade administration system, with a direct impact on operational timelines, companies’ administrative burden, and the way businesses interact with Mexican authorities.

The Single Portal will become the exclusive platform through which Mexico’s responsible authorities, including the Mexican Tax Administration Service (“SAT”), the National Customs Agency of Mexico (“ANAM”), and the Department of Economy, will receive, process, and resolve foreign trade-related procedures. This measure eliminates parallel interactions among these government agencies.

All foreign trade filings, permits, authorizations, and certifications must now be processed through the Single Portal, with the objective of creating greater standardization and uniformity across procedures. In addition, the government will implement a Single Foreign Trade File, which will consolidate the digital documentation associated with each taxpayer and will be used by authorities to process and resolve applications.

The implementation of the Single Portal seeks to eliminate duplicative requirements imposed on taxpayers and improve operational traceability through an interoperable system model under which the various government agencies share information and coordinate the resolution of procedures.

Mexican authorities will be required to adapt their systems and databases to ensure integration with the Single Portal. Administration and operation of the platform will be overseen by Mexico’s Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (“ATDT”) and will operate through the Mexican Digital Foreign Trade Portal (“VUCEM”). VUCEM will be transferred from the SAT to the ATDT within the timeframes determined by both authorities. As a result, operational control of the platform will shift toward an agency focused on technology and administrative simplification.

The Single Portal will allow companies to digitally complete the following procedures:

• Submission of applications and filings;
• Real-time tracking of procedures;
• Electronic payment of duties and taxes; and
• Receipt of notifications, requests for information, resolutions, and other administrative acts.

Among ATDT’s key authorities is the power to supervise that foreign trade procedures are processed and resolved within the deadlines established under applicable Mexican law. The ATDT will also oversee that government agencies request only those requirements expressly established in applicable regulations. These powers are particularly relevant because they may provide companies with greater legal and operational certainty by limiting administrative discretion and reducing excessive or improper information requests from authorities.

In this context, companies should closely monitor electronic notifications, which under the Decree will become legally effective on the business day following the date on which they are made available through the Single Portal.

The Decree entered into force on May 5, 2026, and establishes that the Single Portal must become operational within no more than 15 business days. In addition, ongoing procedures and pending matters currently processed through VUCEM must continue through the new Single Portal platform.

While the new system has the potential to reduce processing times and facilitate regulatory compliance, it also creates an environment of increased digitization, traceability, and governmental oversight, in which the proper management of information and internal processes will become increasingly important. In addition, transparency and visibility of information among Mexican authorities will increase, potentially enhancing audit, enforcement, and cross-checking capabilities.

Accordingly, companies engaged in foreign trade operations in Mexico should ensure consistency in their documentary information, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and review their internal trade compliance procedures.