Background on Manzanillo and its Importance
Manzanillo, Colima, is a crucial port in Mexico, ranking among the top 100 ports globally for containerized cargo volume, handling approximately four million units. However, it lags far behind Asian ports, which process around 50 million units.
Increase in Abandoned Chinese Merchandise
During the sixth month of the year, 900 containers with counterfeit, undervalued, or non-compliant Chinese goods were reported at the Manzanillo customs office. Importers have chosen not to claim these products, leading to a 300% increase in abandoned merchandise compared to previous months.
Role of Customs and Aduana Segura Program
Ángel Martínez Cabrera, the deputy director of customs operations in Manzanillo, explained that customs aim to balance security and trade facilitation. The Aduana Segura program in Colima has intensified container inspections, resulting in a 31% increase in fiscal revenues from January to May 2023, compared to the same period in 2024.
Types of Seized Goods
This year, customs authorities have secured around 192 containers with counterfeit goods violating various brands’ copyrights. Additionally, they have confiscated precursor chemicals and counterfeit cigarettes.
Impact on Terminals and Importers
As customs increased scrutiny to curb smuggling, importers have abandoned their goods, causing terminal saturation. Martínez clarified that this issue affects terminal companies rather than customs agencies, as many importers fail to properly classify their goods, leading to delays for terminals.
Abandonment Process and Timeframes
If no one claims the abandoned goods within three months, customs will either destroy or repurpose them for social programs. For hazardous substances, the abandonment period is limited to three days, while other products have around 60 days before transferring to the fiscal authority.
Customs Operations and Vehicle Citations
Every day, customs process an average of 3,000 vehicle appointment requests for cargo loading and unloading. Of these, approximately 2,500 vehicles complete customs formalities at the Automated Modulation Modules.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of Manzanillo as a port? Manzanillo is a vital port in Mexico, handling around four million container units annually. It ranks among the top 100 ports worldwide for cargo volume, though it lags behind Asian ports processing approximately 50 million units.
- Why are there more abandoned Chinese goods in Manzanillo customs? The increased scrutiny by customs, due to the Aduana Segura program, has led importers to abandon their non-compliant Chinese goods rather than face potential penalties or delays.
- What types of goods have been seized by customs? Customs have confiscated counterfeit goods, undervalued merchandise, and non-compliant Chinese products. They have also seized precursor chemicals and counterfeit cigarettes.
- What happens if goods are not claimed within a certain period? If no one claims abandoned goods within three months, customs will either destroy or repurpose them for social programs. Hazardous substances have a three-day abandonment period, while other products have around 60 days before transferring to the fiscal authority.
