Mexico Padrón de Importadores: who must register and what SAT asks for

To import into Mexico, the importer must be registered in the Padrón de Importadores kept by the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT). Registration is done online in the SAT portal with the importer's e.firma, and goods in the tariff fractions listed in Annex 10 of the general foreign trade rules also need the sector-specific register.

Checked against official sources: 2026-10

At a glance

RegisterPadrón de Importadores, kept by the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT)

Legal basisReglamento de la Ley Aduanera, article 82, and Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior, rule 1.3.2

RFCRegistered and active in the Federal Taxpayer Registry (RFC)

e.firmaA valid e.firma (advanced electronic signature)

Tax complianceUp to date with tax obligations

Address and mailboxFiscal address located as recorded in the RFC or under validation; Buzón Tributario status "Validado"

Customs brokerThe patent number of each customs broker (agente aduanal) who will act for the importer

Sector registerGoods in the tariff fractions of Annex 10 of the general foreign trade rules need the Padrón de Importadores de Sectores Específicos

Who must register

The Padrón de Importadores is the register of importers kept by Mexico's tax authority, the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT). Its legal basis is article 82 of the Reglamento de la Ley Aduanera and rule 1.3.2 of the Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior.

For an exporter selling to Mexico, the point is who imports: the Mexican buyer, or whoever acts as importer, must be in the register before the goods are cleared. Ask early whether your buyer is registered, and whether the goods fall under a sector that needs the sector-specific register.

Padrón de Importadores checklist

Active RFC registration
Valid e.firma
Tax obligations up to date
Fiscal address located or under validation
Buzón Tributario status "Validado"
Patent number of the customs broker or brokers

The sector-specific register

Goods classified in the tariff fractions listed in Annex 10 of the Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior need an additional register, the Padrón de Importadores de Sectores Específicos. The importer adds or removes sectors through the SAT portal under procedure sheet 6/LA, and some sectors ask for extra documents.

Check the HS code of each product against Annex 10 before the first shipment, so the importer can apply for the sector in time.

Step by step

Ask the Mexican buyer whether it is registered in the Padrón de Importadores.
If not, the buyer applies in the SAT portal with its e.firma.
The buyer registers the patent number of its customs broker.
Check each product's HS code against Annex 10 of the foreign trade rules.
Where a product is listed, the buyer applies for the sector-specific register before shipping.

Documents you usually need

Importer's RFC
Valid e.firma
Customs broker's patent number
HS codes of the products
Sector application under procedure sheet 6/LA, where needed

Common problems and how to avoid them

The buyer is not in the Padrón de Importadores.

What to do: The buyer registers in the SAT portal before the goods are cleared.

The product falls under a sector in Annex 10.

What to do: Apply for the sector-specific register under procedure sheet 6/LA before shipping.

The application stops because the Buzón Tributario is not validated.

What to do: Validate the Buzón Tributario so its status shows "Validado".

No customs broker is linked to the registration.

What to do: Register the patent number of the customs broker who will clear the goods.

Sources

Inscríbete en el Padrón de Importadores Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT)
Padrón de Importadores y Exportadores: inscripción Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT)
Padrón de Importadores de Sectores Específicos Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT)

Rules change often. This note is practical guidance based on the sources above, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority, your importer or a licensed customs broker before you ship.

Port codes by country

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Trade notes

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Common questions

What is the Padrón de Importadores?

Mexico's register of importers, kept by the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT).

What does SAT require to register?

An active RFC, a valid e.firma, tax obligations up to date, a located fiscal address and a validated Buzón Tributario.

What is the sector-specific register?

An additional register for goods in the tariff fractions listed in Annex 10 of the Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior.

Where is the application made?

Online in the SAT portal, with the importer's e.firma.

Does the customs broker need to be named?

Yes. The importer registers the patent number of each customs broker who will act for it.

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