Enhancing Public Availability of Customs Information
In the Islamic Countries
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Mexico’s VUCEM single window was developed as an initiative of the State. However, a private
contractor was used to actually develop the system and software. Since its introduction, border
crossing times have fallen, and the operator reports that data are treated with over 99%
accuracy. The key change brought about administratively is that traders no longer have to deal
with each agency individually, but instead can submit their information once, and from there, it
is distributed to all relevant agencies.
Despite having a high quality single window system, Mexico does not have a TIP on the model
currently promoted by theWorld Bank. Nonetheless, its TFA database page hosted by the World
Trade Organizations contains links to online resources maintained by the state that contain the
relevant laws and regulations governing trade. Like most countries, Mexico publishes these legal
documents in hard copy through official registers and publications, but also puts them online.
As a result, all necessary legal information for international trade transactions is in the public
domain, and freely available online. Mexico has also established enquiry points, in line with the
TFA, so foreign traders can easily access the necessary information for dealing with the Mexican
market.
Benefits, Challenges, and Lessons Learned
A review of the relevant data and sources suggest that an area where Mexico could improve
performance relative to a world leader like Singapore is in relation to advance rulings. Advance
rulings on tariff treatment and classification are available in Mexico, they are legally binding,
and they last for a defined period of time. However, information on the system is not readily
obtainable through public sources. It is likely that the trading community understands the key
characteristics of the system, but the lack of publicly available information suggests that smaller
and infrequent traders may be hindered in their use of this system. Information compiled by
APEC suggests that advance rulings must be issued within 90 days. Rulings can cover valuation,
classification, and origin, and are valid for up to three fiscal years from the time of issue. Advance
rulings can be obtained by submitting a request to Customs, which operates under the general
authority of the Fiscal Law. No information is available from that source, or any other, on issues
like modification or revocation of a ruling, or publication of rulings and treatment of confidential
information.17
Like the case of Morocco, discussed below, Mexico’s approach to public information availability
is driven in part by regional integration. The integrated North American economy is crucial to
Mexico’s development prospects, and a key feature has been the emergence of cross-border
production platforms (GVCs) in sectors like light manufacturing, and the automotive industry. A
key feature of this business model is that trade costs need to be minimized so that intermediate
inputs can move easily across borders during production. This dynamic gives governments an
incentive to address the informational costs associated with trade transactions, which Mexico,
like Morocco, has done very successfully.
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