The Confederation of Customs Brokers Associations of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) strengthened their institutional coordination to reinforce control, traceability, and validation mechanisms in foreign trade operations in Mexico. The agreement seeks to prevent irregularities, combat misuse of the financial system, and provide greater legal certainty to importers and exporters.

UIF and CAAAREM push for greater oversight of foreign trade operations

During a working meeting between UIF representatives and CAAAREM leadership, both institutions agreed on the need to strengthen the supervision of customs operations through a framework of information sharing and institutional collaboration.

The new model includes actions aimed at:

• Reinforcing due diligence on importers and exporters.
• Detecting atypical operations or transactions outside taxpayers’ transactional profiles.
• Strengthening the documentary integration of customs files.
• Improving the traceability of goods and international trade operations.

According to the authorities, these measures will bolster financial intelligence and reduce risks related to tax evasion, money laundering, and illegal foreign trade operations.

The customs broker: a key player in guaranteeing legality

The UIF and CAAAREM recognized the customs broker as the first technical filter of legality in foreign trade operations. Their role will be key to strengthening verification and regulatory compliance processes within the Mexican customs system.

José Ignacio Zaragoza Ambrosi, president of CAAAREM, noted that the collaboration with the UIF aims to strengthen legality without compromising professional secrecy or the legal obligations of customs brokers. He also highlighted that this type of coordination helps distinguish operators who comply with the law from those who engage in irregularities.

Foreign trade in Mexico faces tighter controls and digitalization

The tightening of controls comes at a time when Mexico is pushing customs reforms to combat technical smuggling, tax evasion, and illicit operations at customs. In recent months, federal authorities have stepped up auditing and supervision of international trade.

Specialists believe that coordination between the UIF and customs brokers can help improve transparency, increase trust between authorities and the private sector, and strengthen the country’s logistics competitiveness.

Greater legal certainty for importing and exporting companies

With this new coordination framework, the authorities seek to consolidate a safer and more reliable environment for companies engaged in import and export activities in Mexico.

CAAAREM stated that it will follow up on the agreements through its governing bodies and in coordination with the country’s 38 customs brokers associations, with the goal of strengthening the integrity and legality of Mexican foreign trade.