Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/16/2004

**GAIN Report Number:** MX4307

MX4307

**Mexico**

**Market Development Reports**

**Mexico Service Provider Report**

**2004**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Kate Snipes

ATO Mexico City

**Prepared by:**

Michael Lehrer

**Report Highlights:**

This service provider report provides contacts in Mexico for all
services related to exporting, from labeling verification units to trade
attorneys to public relations firms and others. US agricultural export
sales to Mexico reached \$7.9 billion in 2004, and the market continues
to provide excellent prospects for potential US exports.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Mexico ATO \[MX2\]

\[MX\]

**Disclaimer**

This report is for informational purposes only in order to assist
potential and current exporters of food and agricultural products to
Mexico. Every effort has been made to provide an accurate list of
contact information, but telephone and fax numbers change frequently in
Mexico. In addition, there may be other qualified firms in Mexico and
the United States, and their exclusion was unintentional. Neither the US
Agricultural Trade Offices (ATOs) or the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) endorse any firm contained herein. US exporters
should take normal commercial precautions when dealing with any
potential service provider or importer, including checking references.

##### Introduction

The objective of this report is to provide contact information for
service providers to US exporters who need assistance in Mexico. Mexico
is an excellent market for US exporters and investors; total US
agricultural exports to Mexico in 2003 were valued at \$7.9 billion.
Furthermore, Mexico's proximity allows quick transportation at
relatively lower costs. The implementation of NAFTA has eliminated the
vast majority of tariffs for the importation of US food products into
Mexico, which gives American products an advantage in the Mexican
market.

**I. The Agricultural Trade Offices (ATOs)**

The US Agricultural Trade Offices (ATOs) in Mexico provide assistance to
US exporters in a variety of ways including: providing research and
contacts for interested exporters, participating in trade shows,
organizing seminars, and sponsoring other activities to bring together
US exporters and Mexican importers. The ATO staff can assist US
exporters by providing advice on their market development plans, or
offering suggestions on promotional strategies for their products. The
ATOs also provide background information on many aspects of the Mexican
market and complete studies on certain sectors and products of interest
to the US export community.

The ATOs issue a variety of reports that can assist exporters with
information on the market potential for product and the exporting
procedures. All of our reports can be accessed via the Internet
**http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp**

Here, three options are presented for accessing the reports. Select
OPTION 3 for locating reports and type in the report number in this
form: MX####. Report numbers for selected studies are listed below.

**Report Topics** **Report Number**

Regulations for Exporting/Border Crossing MX1205

Labeling Regulations MX1223

General Exporter Guide MX3322

Retail Sector in Mexico MX3319

Hotel and Restaurant Sector in Mexico MX3318

The Mexican Caribbean Market MX1216

Processed Foods Market MX3317

Wine Market MX3327

**US Agricultural Trade Office, Mexico City**

Jaime Balmes 8-201

Col. Los Morales Polanco

11510 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5281-6586

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5281-6093

E-mail: atomexico@usda.gov

Contact: Bruce Zanin, Director

##### US Agricultural Trade Office, Monterrey

Oficinas en el Parque Torrell

Blvd. Diaz Ordaz No. 140, Piso 7

Col. Santa Maria

64650 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon

Tel: (011)(52-81) 8333-5289

Fax: (011)(52-81) 8333-1248

E-mail: atomonterrey@usda.gov

Contact: Dan Martinez, Director

**II. Office of Agricultural Affairs**

The Office of Agriculture Affairs is located in the US Embassy Mexico
City is responsible for all matters regarding agricultural trade policy
issues and serves as a liason with the Mexican government on these
matters. For more information, contact the Office of Agricultural
Affairs in Mexico City at:

Reforma 305, Office 225

06500 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5080-2532

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5080-2776, 5080-2130

E-mail: agmexico@usda.gov

Contact: Sue Heinen, Minster Counselor for Agricultural Affairs

**III. Animal and Plant Inspection Services (APHIS)**

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of USDA is
responsible for inspecting and certifying that other countries'
agricultural products meet the phytosanitary requirements for exporting
to the United States. For more details, especially on animal products
and produce, contact the APHIS office in Mexico City at:

Sierra Nevada 115

Col. Lomas de Chapultepec

11000 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 1997-1500, 080-2000; extensions 4116/4153/4367

Fax: (011)(52-55)1997-1540

E-mail: dale.maki@aphis.usda.gov

Homepage: http://www.aphis.usda.gov

Contact: Dale Maki

**IV. Foreign Commercial Service (Gold Key)**

The Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) provides a full array of trade
assistance including: trade counseling, trade contact services, product
and service promotion, essential market research, customized market
research, trade leads, advocacy on behalf of US business interests,
trade finance information and support, promotion and management of trade
shows, organization of international trade missions, credit checks on
potential overseas business partners, and certification of established
trade events. FCS' Gold Key Service is designed to help US companies
find agents, distributors, representatives, or franchisees. Assistance
may be available outside of these areas at higher cost. FCS can only
offer service for products/services that contain at least 51 percent US
content, by value.

Fees:

1.  Standard Gold Key- \$700 for the first day and \$600 for each
    additional day of pre-screened appointments with potential
    agents/distributors, at their location of business.

2.  \$800 for appointments with potential franchisees and investment
    partners.

3.  Turbo Gold Key- \$800 for the first day and \$700 for each
    additional day of appointments with less than four weeks of
    lead-time potential agents/distributors, at their location of
    business. This is not possible for potential franchisees or
    investment partners.

Note: These fees are non-refundable.

Number of appointments: Generally three to five per day, depending on
distance between appointments and expected traffic conditions.

In order to begin work on your Gold Key Service, FCS needs to receive
the following, preferably at least six weeks prior to the date of the
Gold Key appointments, but cannot be done in less than four weeks.
Franchise and investment proposals typically require six to eight weeks
lead-time.

a\) Payment \-- Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or company check made out to the
US Department of Commerce. FCS cannot start work until payment is
received.

b\) Gold Key Questionnaire.

c\) Brochures and Price Lists \-- 15 sets of product literature
including export price lists. If you do not have an export price list,
substitute your domestic price list. It is also helpful to know your
company web site.

d\) Signed Participation Agreement -- FCS will provide this to you for
your signature.

Brochures must be sent via courier service (ie Fedex or DHL) to the
relevant Mexican street on the attached Gold Key Service Questionnaire
form. Do not use the US PO Box addresses as this may result in delays
and lost shipments. Be sure to claim "no commercial value" to avoid
delays with Mexican customs. The Gold Key client must pay customs duties
or fees, if any are assessed.

The Gold Key fee includes 8 hours of assistance from an
interpreter/escort. The client must pay additional hours directly to the
interpreter at a rate of 200 Mexican pesos, per hour.

Local transportation is paid by the client and is not included in the
fee. Usually, FCS will arrange in advance for a taxi to provide local
transportation. The cost paid to the taxi is usually around \$20 per
hour. If you have specialized transportation needs, let us know.

FCS can arrange hotel accommodations if needed.

Rescheduling appointments: If you must change the date of arrival, FCS
can re-schedule your appointments for a fee of \$125.

In addition, for agricultural products or under certain circumstances,
the ATO Mexico City office offers a similar service through contractors
called Ag Aides. For more information, please contact the ATO Mexico
City.

##### V. Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers

[Role and Importance of Freight Forwarder/Customs Broker]{.underline}

The international freight forwarder acts as an agent for the imported
cargo to the international destination. These agents are familiar with
the import rules and regulations of foreign countries, methods of
shipping, US government export regulations, and the documentation needed
for foreign trade.

In the case of Mexico, freight forwarders are usually a part a customs
broker company or are closely associated with one. Currently, many
Mexican freight forwarding companies and/or customs brokers have offices
on the US side of the border.

Exporters should seriously consider having the freight forwarder/customs
brokers handle the documentation for exporting because they are
specialists in this process. Exporters should try to work with their
client's customs broker because of their expertise handling these kinds
of goods. There are currently 423 registered Mexican customs brokers in
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and 180 US customs brokers in Laredo, Texas. Some
of these agencies specialize in food products and are very experienced.
Thus, there is a wide selection to find the right customs broker to
satisfy the needs of US food exporters, and to assist them in crossing
their products into Mexico with little or no delays. A partial list of
some of these Mexican forwarding/custom brokerage companies is provided
at the end of this section.

[Importer Registration]{.underline}

Mexican importers are required to register with the Treasury Ministry in
two different accounts, in the Padron de Importadores (General Importers
Census) and in the Padron de Importadores Sectorial Especifico
(Sectorial Registry of Importers). Mexican Customs also requires that
importers of certain products re-register with their local customs
regional office. Importers who do not re-register run the risk of having
their shipments stopped at the border. Some products imported into
Mexico are greatly undervalued, which in turn are assessed lower import
duties. Mexican Customs has decided to place a minimum import price for
selected items with a history of under invoicing. This practice was
designed to crackdown on customs fraud in Mexico and was implemented for
certain products in August 1999.

##### Select Mexican Freight Forwarding/Customs Brokers

##### Leondies Alvarado

Avenida Cesar Lopez de Lara 525

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 713-0331

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-1060

**Miguel Agulo y Asociados S.A. de C.V.**

Hidalgo 3630-E

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 713-2645

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-4207

##### Santa Esquivel Torres 

Priv. Agencias 4145

88287, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 715-0046

Fax: (011)(52-867) 715-3750

##### Servicios Aduanales Excel

Heroes de Nacataz 3838 Altos

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 713-5163

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-5375

Contact: Maria Elena Guerra

##### Mario Palos Garza

Pedro J. Mendez 1920 Altos

88240, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 715-8288

Fax: (011)(52-867) 715-8450

##### Leoncio Fernandez Hinojosa 

Mendoza 1005

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 712-3329

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-2853

##### 

##### Fernando Yarza Rodriguez

Independencia 2117

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867)713-5301

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-5931

**Alejandro de la Fuente G.**

Maclovio Herrera 4024-Altos

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 713-5942

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-0968

**Julian Alejandro Martinez Arzani** Gutierrez 3710

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 712-6910

Fax: (011)(52-867) 712-9700

##### Z Importaciones

Pino Suarez 3456

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 712-3033

Fax: (011)(52-867) 712-5396

**Seegrove, S.A.**

Madero 2103

Sector Aduana

88040, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 712-5185

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-1903

Contact: Ing. Sergio Perez Aguilar

##### Lic. Luis Edmundo Gonzalez 

Independencia 3636

Sector Aduana

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 712-0991

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-1218

##### Manuel Canales Escamilla

Arteaga 3535

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 712-5662

Fax: (011)(52-867) 713-1396

##### Glafiro Montemayor Gonzalez 

Mendoza 907 Esq. Mina

Sector Aduana

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 712-3064

Fax: (011)(52-867) 712-7929

Contact: Lic. Ricardo Zaragoza Ambrosi

**Groupo Vaceli Internacional-Agencia Aduanales**

Aldama 1111

Sector Aduana

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 712-4121

Fax: (011)(52-867) 712-2577

Contact: Jorge J. Vazquez Elizondo

##### Martinez International 

1607 Davis

Laredo, Texas 78040

Tel: (956) 726-3444

##### Esthela Mounetou

911 E. Del Mar Blvd.

Laredo, Texas 78041

Tel: (956) 725-1120

Fax: (956) 712-2812

**Mounetou Int. Forwarding AG.**

2329 E. San Jose Street

Laredo, Texas 78043

Tel:(956) 722-6887

##### 

##### Lic. Santiago Arechiga Guajardo

Obregon 1500

Col. Juarez

88000, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas

Tel: (011)(52-867) 713-0288

Fax: (011)(52-867) 712-1120

##### VI. International Company Profiles

When exporting to new customers abroad, background checks on potential
clients will reduce risks and allow your company to enter new business
relationships with confidence.

Commercial specialists in US Embassies and Consulates abroad will
conduct an investigation for you and deliver the results in 30 to 45
days, at a very reasonable cost. Reports include up-to-date information
on your potential clients, such as:

-   bank and trade references

-   principals, key officers and managers

-   product lines

-   number of employees

-   financial data

-   sales volume

-   reputation

-   market outlook

An international company profile may also include information on:

-   subsidiary/parent relationships

-   recent news items about the firm

-   the firms' US customers

-   operational problems

-   activities of prominent owners

-   branch locations

The commercial specialists abroad who conduct your research will also
give you their recommendation on whether you should enter a business
relationship with the subject firm, and, if so, on what basis. Your
request is held in strict confidence; the subject firm does not know who
ordered the report. For more information on international company
profiles, contact the US Department of Commerce office at:

##### US Comercial Service- Mexico

Mexico City

Mexico : US Trade Center

Liverpool No. 31, Col. Juarez

06600 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5140-2600

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5566-1115

Monterrey

(also covers Ciudad Juarez)

Mexico : US Consulate

Avenida Constitucion 411 Pte.

64004 Monterrey, Nuevo Leon

Tel: (011)(52-81) 8343-4450

Fax: (011)(52-81) 8343-4440

Guadalajara

Mexico : US Consulate

Lopez Cotilla No. 2032, Piso 4

44130 Guadalajara, Jalisco

Tel: (011)(52-33) 3615-0980

Fax: (011)(52-33) 3826-6549

Tijuana

Mexico : US Consulate

Tapachula 96, Col. Hipodromo

22420 Tijuana, Baja California Norte

Tel: (011)(52-664) 622-7400

Fax: (011)(52-664) 681-8016

-   Please send all brochures and marketing materials to the Mexico via
    express mail.

-   Do not use a US post office box.

-   Declare "no commercial value" to avoid delays with Mexican customs.

A private company that can provide profiles is:

##### Coface de Servicios Mexico

Insurgentes Sur 1787

Col. Guadalupe Inn

01020 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5089-2626, 5089-2606

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5089-2600

Contact: Eva Deyanira

##### VI. Public Relations Firms

**COMM Group S.A. DE C.V.**

Artemio del Valle Arizpe18-7

Col. Del Valle

031100 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5669-3996

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5669-3646

##### Conversión Acesores de Empresa

Av. Veracruz 93-203

Col. Condesa

06140 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5519-2150/2151

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5519-2150

**Edelman Mexico, S.A. de C.V**.

Paseo de la Reforma 116-10

Col. Juarez

06600 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5350-1500

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5350-1555, 5350-1556

##### Feedback

Torreon 12

Col. Roma Sur

06760 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5564-1335

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5564-4709

Contact: Lic. Armando Ramirez

##### Pauta Creativa Publicidad

Berlin 318

Col. Del Carmen Coyoacan

04100 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5658-1566

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5658-1588

**Impactos Frecuencia y Cobertura en Medios**

Sassoferrato 61

Col. Alfonso XIII

01460 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5482-3827

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5482-3804

##### 

##### World System

Cerrada de Rosaura Zapata 12

Col. Circuito Educadores

53100 Cd. Satelite, Edo. De Mexico

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5572-2277

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5572-9438

##### VIII. Real Estate

The property owner usually commissions real estate brokers (corredores)
and in this manner they obtain their commission. Although you may find a
property through their services, keep in mind that under the existing
system in Mexico, their fiduciary responsibility is to the person that
pays the commission.

##### Century 21

Monte Everest 635

Col. Lomas de Chapultepec

11000 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5202-9358, 5202-8888, 5520-2611

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5202-5282

Contact: Grissel Antunez

##### Excel Relocation Services

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5520-3882

Fax: (011)(52) 5520-3723

Cel: (011) 044-55-2107-8486

Contact: Anne Henderson

##### Ideal Homes

Av. Lomas Verdes 651

53120 Naucalpan, Edo. De Mexico

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5294-5822, 5251-2517

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5393-6088

Contact: Sergio Rojkind Halpert

##### IX. Law Firms Specializing in Trade Law

##### Aguilar Gomez, Raul

Capulin 46-202

Col. del Valle

03200 Mexico, D. F.

Tel/Fax: (011)(52-55) 5575-6854, 5575-2717, 5235-4357

E-mail: jaialai@avantel.net

Languages: Spanish, English, French.

Type of Practice: Litigant in civil law, corporate law, taxation law,
trade and custom law, foreign investment, mining law, patents &
trade-marks, international financing, immigration matters, joint
ventures and recovery of goods in customs (house hold goods, vehicles,
big trucks, boats.)

**Alanis, Serrano y Doblado, S.C.**

Bosque de Ciruelos 160 Piso 8

Col. Bosques de las Lomas

11700 Mexico, D. F.

Tel: (011-52)(55) 5251-9650, 5251-3036

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5251-9015

E-mail: fserra@asd.com.mx

Languages: Spanish, English.

Type of Practice: Corporate law, mining law, international business law,
aeronautical, contracts, criminal law, foreign investments, government
relations, insurance, patents, taxes and tourism.

Contact: Francisco Serrano O.

**Bufete Rodriguez Marquez, S.C.**

Crepúsculo No. 47

Col. Insurgentes Cuicuilco

04530 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5666-1178

Languages: English and Spanish

Type of Practice: Counsel to national and international entities on the
formation and development of tourism, industrial, commercial, and
\"maquiladora\" projects, foreign investment, industrial and
intellectual property rights, foreign trade and tax matters.

Contact: Lic. Jose Antonio Rodriguez Marquez

##### Creel, Garcia-Cuellar y Muggenburg 

Bosques de Ciruelos 304-2

Col. Bosques de las Lomas

11700 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5596-2177

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5596-3309

Languages: Spanish, English, French

Type of Practice: International law (including direct foreign
investment, finance, licensing agreements, transfer of technology and
trade), business and corporate law, banking, insurance and securities,
mining, real estate, tourism, tax law, patents and trademarks,
immigration matters, in-bond industry (maquiladoras), trust and estates,
government relations. (no criminal cases).

Contact: Lic. Samuel Garcia-Cuellar S., Lic. Carlos Muggenburg R.V.

**Gonzalez Calvillo y Forastieri, S.C.**

Montes Urales 632 Piso 3

Col. Lomas de Chapultepec

11000 Mexico, D. F.

Tel/Fax: (011)(52-55) 5202-7622, 5520-7671

E-mail: egonzalez@gcf.com.mx

Languages: Spanish, English, French.

Type of Practice: Banking, financial, contracts, corporations, foreign
claims, foreign investments, government relations, insurance,
immigration, marketing agreements, patents, taxes, mergers and
acquisitions, joint ventures, licensing and telecommunications law.

Contact: Enrique A. Gonzalez Calvillo

##### Halkin Bufete 

Reforma 369, 5th floor

Col. Cuauhtemoc

06500 Mexico, D. F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5207-3007, 5207-0722, 5207-4684

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5207-5394

Languages: Spanish, English, French, Russian, Polish, Hebrew and German.

Type of Practice: Corporate, international law, business, tax,
administrative, tourism, immigration, banking, finance, insurance,
patents and trademark, trust and estates, foreign investment, transfer
of technology, maritime and aviation.

Contact: Lic. Fernando Halkin Bider

##### Lopez Velarde, Heftye Abogados, S.C 

Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena #1600 Piso 6

Col. Centro de Ciudad Santa Fe

01210 Mexico, D. F.

Tel/Fax: (011)(52-55) 5081-1424, 5081-1425

E-mail: alopezv@lvha.com.mx

Languages: Spanish, English.

Type of Practice: Contracts, corporations, estates, foreign investments,
government relations, immigration, labor relations, marketing
agreements, civil documents, patents, trademarks, energy and antitrust.

Contact: Alejandro Lopez Velarde

**Martinez, Rodriguez y Asociados, S.C.**

Insurgentes Sur 800-10 Floor

Col. Del Valle

03100 Mexico, D. F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5523-5258

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5523-5243, 5523-9706

Languages: Spanish, English

Type of Practice: International business, real estate, labor law,
commercial and general civil practice.

Contact: Lic. Reginald Layfatte Davis Scott

##### Perez Falcon, Cuesta y Llaca

Hidalgo No. 61 - Casa 4

Col. San Jerónimo Lídice

10200 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5595-3047

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5595-3013

Languages: Spanish, English

Type of Practice: Foreign investment, tax, banking and finance, mergers
& acquisitions, immigration, transportation (air and ground),
joint-ventures, real estate, agrarian, corporate reorganizations,
international trade, telecommunications, antidumping and countervailing,
antitrust, intellectual property and environmental law (concentrating on
rendering legal services to mexican and foreign companies in
cross-border activities).

Contact: Lic. Rafael Perez Falcon, Lic. Luis Cuesta Salces, Lic.
Bernardo Llaca Mtz.

##### Sepulveda Bufete, S.C./Baker y McKenzie 

Plaza Comermex, 12th floor

Col. Lomas de Chapultepec

11000 Mexico, D. F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5557-8844, 5557-8841, 5580-4418

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5557-8829

Languages: English and Spanish.

Type of Practice: tax, foreign trade/investment, customs law, banking,
corporate, labor, litigation, collective bargaining and financing.

##### X. Mexican Labeling Verification Units

Labels adhered to products imported into the Mexican market must be
authorized. This certification is secured by verification units, which
are companies empowered by the Mexican Government to counsel, review,
and authorize labels for imported products. US exporters must contact
one of these verification units through their local representative and
request label authorization according to NOM 051. The verification unit
will ask exporters for a copy of their proposed label in English and
Spanish. The verification unit will review the label and text and
recommend changes, if any, that should be made in order to provide the
final authorization. Only after final authorization should labels be
printed. A partial list of verification units that can assist US
exporters to comply with Mexican labeling requirements is listed at the
end of this section.

Some customs brokers present a letter directed to the Official Customs
Administrator to explain that the items being imported are not for
retail sale but instead for industrial processing and, as such, do not
require labels. The letter lists the invoice number, the name of the
international supplier, and complete where these goods will be further
processed. The document is signed by the importer on the letterhead of
the importing company.

[Labeling Requirements]{.underline}

Most food products imported into Mexico are subject to general and
product specific labeling requirements. The most important general
requirements for food products are included in the following NOMs:

NOM-050-SCFI-1994, a) Commercial Information b) General Requirements for
Products@ which applies to other consumer products not covered by other
NOMs.

NOM-051-SCFI-1994, a) General Labeling Specifications for Pre-Packaged
Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.

Under this NOM, nutritional information is voluntary, unless a
nutritional claim is made. This NOM applies to most food items and is
the most important.

Under NOMs 050 and 051, package labels must carry commercial information
in Spanish as defined by the NOM. The information required by NOM 051
may also appear in the original language. The information referring to
the brand, type of beverage and quantity should appear on the main
label. The other information can be included on any other part of the
label or product container. If the information does not fit on the
product label, the additional information may be presented on separate
labels.

The following information is required, in Spanish, by NOM-051:

-   Name of product or merchandise

-   Name, business name, and importer\'s (may be included on the label
    or on a separate form)

-   Net weight, in accordance with NOM-030-SCFI-94

-   Federal Income Taxation Registry code number (or its equivalent in
    the US) from the exporter and or the chamber to which he/she is
    affiliated

-   Name and of exporter and country of origin of product

-   Instructions on handling, use and/or product preservation, whenever
    applicable

-   Manufacturing and expiration dates

The information may be presented in any of the following forms:

-   A label adhered to the product

-   Separate labels (one per product)

-   For small products, the label may be hung, tied or attached

Exceptions to labeling requirements (NOM-051):

-   Samples

-   Raw materials for industrial processing

-   Temporary imports

-   Trade shows

-   Products in bulk

-   Some companies (hotels, restaurants) along the border region

-   Products to be sold directly to the hotel, restaurant, or food
    service industry do not need individual labels on each product, but
    the carton or package containing the individual products must be
    labeled

**Verification Units**

**Almacenadora Accel, S.A.**

Almacen General de Deposito

Virginia Fabregas 80, Col. San Rafael

06470 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5705-2788

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5705-4794

Contact: Enrique Aleman

**Almacenes de Deposito Ocejo, S.A. de C.V**

Calle Oriente 107 No. 3118

Col. Tablas de San Agustin

07860 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5760-5511, 5760-0191

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5760-0855

Contact: Lic. Alejandro Ocejo

**Almacenadora de Deposito Moderno, S.A. de C.V.**

Av de los Angeles 185

Col. San Martín Xochinahuac

02120 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5318-8990

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5318-0338

Contact: Dir. Lic Elias Guerra Escobar

**Calidad Mexicana Certificada, A.C. - CALMECAC**

Jose Vasconselos 83

Col. San Miguel Chapultepec

11850 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5553-0571, 5553-0645

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5211-6702

Contact: Lic. Jaime Acosta Polanco, Director

**Instituto de Normalizacion y Certificacion Electronica, A.C.**

Manuel Maria Contreras 133 Piso 6

Col. Cuahtemoc

06500 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5566-7333

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5705-3686

Contact: Dra. Mercedes Irueste Alejandre

**Sociedad Mexicana de Normalizacion y Certificacion, S.C. NORMEX**

Laboratorio:

Alfredo B. Nobel 21

Centro Industrial Puente de Vigas

54070 Tlalnepantla, Estado de Mexico

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5390-4152

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5565-8601, 5565-7217

Email: [Normex@normex.com.mx]{.underline}

Contact: Dr. Jaime Gonzalez Basurto, Director

Office:

Circuito Geografo 20

Col. Naucalpan de Juarez

53101 Cuidad Satelite, Estado de Mexico

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5374-1402

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5374-2037

**Societe Generale de Surveillance de Mexico, S.A. DE C.V.**

Division ICS, SGS

Organismo de Certificación de Calidad

Ingenieros Militares 85, Piso 5

Col. Argentina Poniente

11230 Mexico, D.F.

Tel: (011)(52-55) 5387-2100

Fax: (011)(52-55) 5387-2170

Contact: Ing. Alejandro Rios Alvarado