Background on the Situation
Guadalajara, Jalisco. The Council of Industrial Chambers of Jalisco (CCIJ) has called on the federal government, through the Institute for Returning Stolen Goods to the People (IP), to clear out customs warehouses at the cargo terminal of Guadalajara International Airport as soon as possible. These warehouses are reportedly “saturated” with goods abandoned by Asian companies to avoid paying taxes.
Key Players and Relevance
Antonio Lancaster-Jones, the coordinator of CCIJ, highlighted the severity of the issue. He mentioned that major companies like FedEx and World Trade Center (WTC) have high percentages of occupied storage space with abandoned goods. This situation is a direct consequence of recent tax law changes targeting Asian products.
Impact on Businesses
The updated Import and Export General Tariff Law in April 2024 imposed temporary tariffs ranging from 5% to 50% on 544 tariff items from countries without trade agreements, primarily China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan. The Miscellaneous Fiscal 2025 established a general tariff of 19% for goods of any value sent from countries without trade agreements, including small purchases made on platforms like Shein, Temu, or AliExpress.
Lancaster-Jones explained that the abandonment of goods is a result of these tax law changes. Companies find it easier to abandon their goods rather than pay the required taxes, which has led to warehouse saturation.
He further emphasized that the abandoned goods in customs warehouses at Guadalajara’s airport are hindering the operations of businesses that handle cargo at the terminal. Lancaster-Jones urged both the IP and business owners to collaborate in removing these abandoned goods from customs to maintain productivity.
Collaboration and Resources
The CCIJ coordinator mentioned that they have met with the IP, but the main obstacle is the lack of resources to address the issue. He stressed that finding a way to support each other and make the industry more productive is crucial.
Ongoing Challenges in Manzanillo
Guillermo del Río, president of the Export Industries Maquiladora and Manufacturing Association (Index) in Western Mexico, reported that six weeks after the customs blockade in Manzanillo, normal operations have yet to be fully restored.
Del Río Ochoa acknowledged progress but noted that some companies still face delays. He also mentioned that increased inspections and adverse weather conditions, including hurricanes, are contributing to the slowdown. However, he emphasized that progress is being made.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue? Customs warehouses at Guadalajara International Airport are overloaded with abandoned goods from Asian companies trying to avoid taxes.
- Who is calling for action? The Council of Industrial Chambers of Jalisco (CCIJ) is urging the federal government and business owners to clear these warehouses.
- What changes in tax laws led to this situation? The updated Import and Export General Tariff Law in April 2024 and the Miscellaneous Fiscal 2025 established higher tariffs on goods from countries without trade agreements, primarily China.
- How is this affecting businesses? The abandoned goods are hindering the operations of businesses that handle cargo at Guadalajara’s airport, reducing productivity.
- What is the current status in Manzanillo? Six weeks after customs blockades, normal operations have not been fully restored due to ongoing delays and increased inspections.
