Importing Steel from China to Mexico: 2026 Tariffs and Anti-Dumping
Verified 2026-10-29 against Mexico's Ministry of Economy (SE) announcements. Mexico has no FTA with China — since 1 January 2026 most Chinese steel pays 25–35% general tariff, and a final anti-dumping duty on Chinese hot-rolled flat steel has applied since September 2026.
General import tariff (TIGIE) on Chinese steel
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Package | Decree published 29 Dec 2025, in force 1 Jan 2026: 1,463 tariff lines for countries without a Mexico FTA — steel accounts for ~268 lines (18% of the decree) |
| Rates | Concentrated at 25% and 35% (range 5–50% across all lines) |
| Coverage | Flat, long, tube and structural steel lines — check your exact 8-digit TIGIE fraction |
| Adjustments | 23 Apr 2026 amendment: 185 additional lines 5–35%; PROSEC adjustments made certain flat-steel fractions duty-exempt for the electrical, electronics and automotive industries |
| Who pays less | T-MEC (US/Canada) origin; PROSEC-registered importers in listed industries |
Sources: Diario Oficial decree of 29 Dec 2025 and 23 Apr 2026 amendment (analysed by Foley & Lardner); SE import data. China-origin steel without PROSEC qualification pays the general elevated rate.
Anti-dumping on Chinese hot-rolled flat steel (final, since Sep 2026)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Measure | Final anti-dumping ruling by SE, announced 3 Sep 2026, effective the following day (case opened Mar 2025 after Ternium's complaint; affirmative preliminary ruling 23 Mar 2026) |
| Rates (China) | US$0.3087/kg (most Chinese producers, e.g. Meishan Steel), US$0.3050/kg (WISCO), US$0.3070/kg (cooperating non-sampled); Vietnam US$0.2719–0.2855/kg |
| Equivalent | ≈ US$305–309 per tonne — a specific per-kg duty that does not fall when steel prices fall |
| TIGIE coverage | 20 lines under 7208, 7211, 7225 (incl. 7225.30.91, 7225.40.91) and 7226.91.07 — hot-rolled, not clad/plated/coated, ≤ 25.4 mm |
| Not covered | Cold-rolled (7209) is outside this order |
For wear plate and high-strength plate buyers: QT wear plate (NM400–NM500, typically 7225.40) and QT high-strength plate (BS960E, Q690, typically 7225/7226) may fall within the covered lines depending on the exact sub-line and product description — the order targets hot-rolled product, and heat-treated plate classification is a genuine customs question. This is exactly the kind of line-by-line check we run with our Mexican customs partner before quoting; ask us for the current reading before you commit a price.
Other import charges
| Charge | Rate | Base |
|---|---|---|
| General import duty (non-FTA steel) | 25–35% | customs value |
| Anti-dumping (Chinese HR flat) | US$0.305–0.309 / kg | net weight |
| DTA (derecho de trámite aduanero) | 0.8‰ | customs value |
| IVA (VAT) | 16% | cumulative base incl. duties |
Practical outlook for 2026–2027
- Hot-rolled carbon steel from China to Mexico is commercially closed at current duty levels (25–35% + ~US$305/t AD ≈ a 60%+ total burden at mid-market prices). We do not quote HR carbon product for Mexico.
- Cold-rolled and coated lines remain viable where the 2026 package rate is 25% and no AD applies — quote with the exact TIGIE fraction.
- Wear plate / high-strength plate requires a line-by-line ruling check; several grades we ship have defensible classifications outside the AD scope, but this must be confirmed with customs counsel, not assumed.
- Watch for SE reviews of the December 2025 decree — it has no published expiry and rates can be adjusted by amendment (as happened 23 Apr 2026).
Official sources for this page
- Diario Oficial de la Federación — 29 Dec 2025 tariff decree and 23 Apr 2026 amendment (dof.gob.mx)
- Secretaría de Economía — anti-dumping resolutions incl. the 3 Sep 2026 final ruling on hot-rolled flat steel
- SAT — TIGIE fractions and PROSEC framework
Gazette references for each row are maintained with our Mexican customs partner; portal links let you re-verify every figure at the source.
Change log — what moved, and when
| Date | Change (source: Diario Oficial / Secretaría de Economía) |
|---|---|
| 2026-09-03 | Final anti-dumping ruling on hot-rolled flat steel from China and Vietnam: US$0.3050–0.3087/kg for Chinese producers; effective the day after publication. |
| 2026-04-23 | Decree amendment: 185 additional tariff lines at 5–35%; PROSEC made specific flat-steel fractions duty-exempt for electrical, electronics and automotive industries. |
| 2026-03-23 | Provisional anti-dumping on hot-rolled flat from China and Vietnam at US$0.1960–0.2304/kg (20 TIGIE lines). |
| 2026-01-01 | Tariff package on non-FTA countries in force: 1,463 lines, of which 268 steel lines, mostly at 25% and 35%. |
Mexico steel tariff FAQ
Does Mexico–China have a free trade agreement?
No. That is the root of the 2026 situation: the December 2025 decree targets countries without an FTA with Mexico, and China-origin steel falls squarely in it at 25–35% depending on the TIGIE line.
What does the September 2026 anti-dumping ruling cost per tonne?
US$0.3050–0.3087 per kilogram, i.e. about US$305–309 per metric tonne, charged on net weight regardless of price. At a US$550/t CIF price that is roughly 56% extra; the specific duty bites harder when prices fall.
Can PROSEC reduce the duty for my imports?
PROSEC (Programa de Promoción Sectorial) grants duty-exempt or reduced treatment for specific TIGIE fractions used in listed industries (automotive, electrical, electronics, etc.). The April 2026 amendment added flat-steel fractions. Eligibility is importer- and use-specific — your Mexican importer of record must hold or apply for the PROSEC registration.
Is it true cold-rolled escapes the anti-dumping order?
Yes — the order's product scope is hot-rolled flat steel not clad, plated or coated. Cold-rolled (7209) is outside the 20 listed lines. It still pays the general 2026 package rate if Chinese origin.
Sources & verification
- 1SNICE — TIGIE official tariff schedule lookup (Secretaría de Economía)
- 2SAT — Servicio de Administración Tributaria (Mexican customs)
- 3WTO Tariff Download Facility
Figures on this page were verified on 2026-10-29 against the official sources below. Data is reviewed and re-verified monthly; dates of each review are shown on this page.
