Mercado Libre Opens Latin America’s Largest Cross-Dock Facility

Mercado Libre inaugurated its new XEM3 logistics center in Cuautitlán Izcalli, State of Mexico, marking one of the company’s most significant logistics investments in the country. The facility, developed in partnership with industrial real estate firm Vesta, represents a joint investment of US$140 million and is the largest cross-dock center operated by Mercado Libre in Latin America.

Spanning 80,000m2 of operational space, the XEM3 site strengthens the company’s distribution network as it responds to the continued growth of e-commerce demand across Mexico.

A Strategic Logistics Hub For Rapid Delivery

As Mercado Libre accelerated its fulfillment strategy, the XEM3 facility was designed to handle an initial volume of up to 550,000 packages per day, with a phased expansion plan already in place.

During the inauguration, José Ignacio Arias, Senior Director of Transportation, Mercado Libre Mexico, said the center will incorporate advanced automation systems throughout 2026, allowing daily processing capacity to increase to nearly one million packages.

Arias explained that cross-dock centers play a strategic role within the company’s logistics ecosystem, complementing traditional fulfillment warehouses. Unlike storage-based facilities, cross-docking allows packages to enter, be sorted and immediately dispatched, significantly reducing delivery times and improving operational efficiency.

Supporting Sellers And Same-Day Deliveries

The launch of XEM3 is expected to enhance Mercado Libre’s ability to offer faster shipping options, including same-day delivery, in more than 28 cities nationwide.

The facility will directly benefit more than 100,000 entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses each month, primarily based in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, by improving delivery reliability and market reach for sellers using the platform.

Location Strengthens National Connectivity

The choice of Cuautitlán Izcalli reflects the area’s strategic logistics advantages, according to state officials.

Laura González Hernández, Minister of Economic Development for the State of Mexico, said the site benefits from proximity to the Mexico–Laredo highway, the Toluca–Atlacomulco industrial corridor, a major freight rail network connecting to Mexico’s ports, and the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA).

Those connections, she said, reinforce the state’s role as a key distribution bridge for national and regional commerce.

State Government Highlights Investment Climate

State of Mexico Governor, Delfina Gómez Álvarez, led the inauguration ceremony highlighting the project as evidence of the State of Mexico’s attractiveness for logistics and industrial investment.

She noted that the state is home to 389 distribution centers — about 13% of the national total — generating employment for more than 699,000 people.

David Geisen, CEO, Mercado Libre Mexico and senior vice president of Commerce for Hispanics, said the XEM3 facility will generate more than 1,000 jobs and can process up to 600,000 packages per day in its current configuration. He said the project reinforces Mercado Libre’s commitment to democratizing commerce and financial services across the region.

Expansion Continues In Northern Mexico

While strengthening its central Mexico operations, Mercado Libre is also expanding its logistics footprint in the north of the country.

The company recently inaugurated its first distribution center in Hermosillo, Sonora, as part of a planned annual investment of US$5 million in the state, reported MBN. The 10,000-square-meter facility is Mercado Libre’s 14th distribution center nationwide and is designed to optimize delivery times and expand regional routes. With the opening of the Hermosillo center, Mercado Libre will offer same-day delivery in Hermosillo, Nogales and Ciudad Obregón, while creating about 100 direct jobs.

Technological Integration and Operations

The Hermosillo center is equipped to process thousands of packages per day, enabling the company to manage growing regional demand more efficiently. Operations incorporate automation systems, specialized logistics technology, and artificial intelligence to streamline order processing and last-mile delivery.

Alejandro Caballero, Senior Director of Marketplace, Mercado Libre México, said the new center strengthens the company’s delivery network and operational capacity, while also promoting digitalization and the creation of quality jobs. He added that the facility is intended to reinforce the local value chain and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

The distribution center also integrates sustainability initiatives, including energy-efficiency measures, waste management programs, and resource conservation practices.