Mexico’s 33.5% Tariff on Chinese Imports Expected to Fuel SMEs

The implementation of a 33.5% tariff on imports from Asian e-commerce platforms, such as Temu and Shein, is expected to reshape Mexico’s competitive landscape, leveling the field for local businesses. Domestic SMEs project a sales increase of over 50% during the Hot Fashion 2025 event.

The tariff, effective since Aug. 15, aims to address market distortions from the aggressive pricing strategies of international competitors, benefitting Mexican producers and merchants. “The tariffs seek precisely to level the playing field. Many times, international brands enter with great investment capacity and aggressive strategies to win market share, even offering products below their costs. This places local businesses that do not have the same financial backing at a disadvantage,” says Luis Gómez, Director of SMEs, Tiendanube Mexico.

E-commerce in Mexico has undergone sustained expansion. The market reached a value of US$97 billion in 2024, and it is expected to reach US$122.79 billion in 2030, reports Mordor Intelligence. With over 67 million consumers participating in the digital channel, competition has become a critical factor for the survival and growth of local companies.

Chinese e-commerce platforms, among which Temu and Shein stand out, have achieved considerable market penetration. Their great performance has been mainly attributed to "a combination of affordable prices with attractive discounts and a strong presence in social networks such as TikTok and Instagram, where they have capitalized on the power of influencers to reach their audience," says Ad Metricks.

The 33.5% tariff on these platforms directly alters the cost structure. This tax, applied per product rather than on the total purchase, is transferred to the final consumer. This transfer reduces the price gap that previously favored imports and allows the national supply to compete on more equitable terms. Additionally, the Tax Administration Service (SAT) says that it will continue to review imports to detect evasion attempts, which are considered crimes of smuggling and tax fraud, according to Uno TV.

This shift in the value equation creates an opportunity for Mexican SMEs, says Gómez. These businesses can now capitalize on the consumer's new price sensitivity and differentiate themselves through proximity, service, and a deep understanding of the local market. SMEs are expected to show strong performance during late-year key sales events. During the Hot Fashion 2025, held on Aug. 11–16, the average ticket is expected to increase 25%, reaching US$89, says  Gómez.

The adoption of advanced technology can help SMEs capitalize on this opportunity. Digitalization and automation are strategic tools that enable SMEs to scale their operations and manage the projected increase in demand. Optimizing the customer experience is another decisive factor in purchase decisions and a lack of efficient management can translate into lost sales opportunities.

Conversational automation solutions, such as chatbots integrated into high-penetration channels like WhatsApp can be a key asset. “Business messaging solutions powered by AI tools are quickly becoming essential to ensure cost-effective and efficient communication between businesses and their customers,” says Daniel Zenteno, CTO, Blip, to MBN. 

AI intelligence tools can automate up to 70% of customer inquiries, says Tiendanube. These systems can operate 24/7, answering frequent questions, checking inventory in real time, suggesting complementary products and guiding the user to the payment gateway.

Beyond the sale, automation strengthens the post-sale phase by managing order tracking, exchanges, and returns. By freeing human teams from repetitive operational tasks, companies can focus their resources on higher-value strategic activities.