PACIC Decree, Nuevo Laredo Bridge: The Week in Logistics

This week in logistics, Banamex warns that Mexico’s new tariff push on Asian imports could end up squeezing growth, jobs, and the peso instead of boosting local industry. In North American rail news, the Trump Administration is pressing tighter English compliance for Mexican train crews operating in the United States, while Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s mega-merger bid advances into the STB’s review process. 

In other news, Maersk is betting over US$15 million on a new Manzanillo depot to relieve port bottlenecks and speed inland distribution. 

Happy New Year! Your weekly dose of Logistics is here!

Mexico Extends PACIC Import Rules, Cuts Tariff Exemptions

Mexico’s Dec. 31, 2025 PACIC decree cuts several tariff-exempt basic-basket imports effective Jan. 1, 2026, while extending administrative import facilitations through Dec. 31, 2026, with contract-based transition deadlines tied to SAT filings.

Mexico Sets Provisional AD Duties On Hollow Aluminum Profiles

Mexico’s Economy Ministry issued a preliminary antidumping ruling on hollow aluminum profiles from the United States and China, setting provisional duties of US$1.62/kg and US$1.88/kg effective Jan. 1, 2026 for four months while the investigation continues.

Tamaulipas, US Authorities Push Nuevo Laredo Bridge Expansion

Mexican and US stakeholders are aligning timelines to speed Nuevo Laredo’s World Trade Bridge expansion, adding eight toll booths, eight northbound lanes, and new inspection portals to ease congestion at a corridor that moved about US$339 billion in 2024.

Mexico Seaports See Cargo Decline Amid Weaker Oil Flows

Mexico’s seaports moved 229.2 million tonnes through November 2025, down 8.7% year on year as international cargo and petroleum flows fell, while domestic cargo held steady. Manzanillo and Veracruz remained the main hubs, containers dipped 1.7% to 8.58 million TEUs, autos fell 4.7%, and cruise passengers rose 11% to 9.8 million.

VCI Global Takes 51% Stake in Mexico Auto Platform RTCAR

VCI Global signed a binding term sheet to buy 51% of RTCAR Mexico, gaining an operational manufacturing base to produce SUVs and hybrids for a global OEM. It expects an offtake deal in January 2026 and first deliveries in 4Q26.