Collaboration between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Mexican Customs administration has resulted in the launch of a joint cargo pre-inspection pilot program. The program aims to reduce cargo congestion and clearance times by allowing each customs administration to inspect incoming cargo on the other’s soil prior to import. The program is currently being tested in one location at Laredo, Texas and will soon expand to two additional facilities in Mexico within the coming weeks.
This cargo pre clearance program comes at an opportune time as trade between Mexico and the U.S. is now over $500B USD annually. With large amounts of trade between the two countries, it is imperative that the U.S. and Mexico continue developing trade facilitation measures that will result in reduced congestion. Through greater harmonization of customs procedures, the U.S. and Mexico can realize increased trade flow at reduced costs.
