Your partner for Mexico: imports and exports by air and sea freight
Mexico is Latin America’s second-largest economy and a significant market internationally. It is an important trading partner for Germany in Latin America, although Germany’s trade with the neighbouring United States is substantially larger. We offer a broad range of logistics services for Mexico. Our extensive partner network supports air freight, sea freight and inland transport, including destinations beyond the main metropolitan areas.
Solutions organised from Mexico City
Sea, Air, Transport & Service has a presence in the capital, Mexico City. The metropolitan area is a major economic centre with a central location and connections to the country’s regions, making it a useful base for organising transport within, to and from Mexico. Benito Juárez International Airport is an important transport gateway. The ports of Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas on the Pacific, and Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico, provide access to both coasts.
The Sea, Air, Transport & Service team in Mexico supports more than transport for exports and imports. We also help with relocations to or from Mexico, vehicle transfers and specialist transport. Where appropriate, we combine different modes of transport through the country’s network to create a suitable solution. Our coordinated service includes handling formalities, customs clearance and door-to-door transport.
Benefit from our logistics expertise
We will be happy to explain our services involving Mexico and develop a solution tailored to your requirements. Contact us through the form, by email or by phone. We will respond promptly and prepare a suitable quotation.
Mexico’s economy: historical background and 2015 figures
Mexico covers almost 2 million square kilometres and is the second-largest economy in Latin America after Brazil. The earlier profile quoted a population above 126 million and described it as one of the world’s major economies and exporting nations. These demographic and ranking statements belong to the historical profile, not a new 2026 statistical assessment. Its location between the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico, part of the Atlantic basin, supports a strong international-trade orientation.
GDP was US$1.114 trillion in 2015, with income per person of US$9,009 in the historical profile. Mexico is an advanced emerging economy with a diversified industrial base. State-owned enterprises previously had considerable influence, and privatisation advanced from the mid 1990s. The country has important oil resources, with major sectors including automotive manufacturing, electronics and computer components, food and textiles.
In 2015, exports were US$381 billion and imports US$395 billion. Alongside oil, exports included vehicles and automotive parts, electronics, electrical equipment and machinery. The profile listed the United States, Canada, China, Brazil and Colombia among export destinations. Imports included electronics, machinery, chemicals, vehicles and automotive parts; listed suppliers were the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and Germany. Proximity to the United States supports trade while also creating dependencies. In 2015, German exports to Mexico were €11.1 billion and imports from Mexico €4.5 billion.
Major airports and seaports:
| Airport / seaport | IATA code / UN/LOCODE | City served |
| Licenciado Benito Juarez International Airport | MEX | Mexico City |
| Cancún International Airport | CUN | Cancún |
| Los Cabos International Airport | SJD | San José del Cabo |
| Don Miguel Hidalgo Y Costilla International Airport | GDL | Guadalajara |
| General Mariano Escobedo International Airport | MTY | Monterrey |
| Port of Altamira | MXATM | Altamira |
| Port of Tampico | MXTAM | Tampico |
| Port of Veracruz | MXVER | Veracruz |
| Port of Guaymas | MXGYM | Guaymas |
| Port of Topolobampo | MXTPB | Topolobampo |
| Port of Mazatlán | MXMZT | Mazatlán |
| Port of Manzanillo | MXZLO | Manzanillo |
| Port of Lázaro Cárdenas | MXLZC | Lázaro Cárdenas |
| Port of Salina Cruz | MXSCX | Salina Cruz |
01. Need a quotation?
Benefit from our experience in transport to and from Mexico.
Our extensive network in Mexico and competitive terms make us a strong partner.
02. What do you need?
Mexico: your freight forwarder for imports & exports
Mexico is an important trading partner for Germany in Latin America and a major production location for German industrial companies. Automotive nearshoring and developing supply chains support trade between Germany, the EU and Mexico. Major product groups include machinery and industrial equipment, vehicles and automotive parts, chemicals, electrical equipment, measurement technology and medical equipment. As an experienced freight forwarder, we support your imports and exports on the Mexico route with coordinated door-to-door service.
Transport routes to Mexico
- Sea freight: From Hamburg and Bremerhaven, containers connect with Mexico’s major ports. On the Gulf coast, important gateways include Veracruz, a significant vehicle-handling port, and Altamira. On the Pacific coast, Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas are major gateways. Depending on the route and service, transit from Northern Europe is approximately three to five weeks.
- Air freight: For urgent and high-value shipments, we select suitable services in the Mexico City region, including the AIFA (Felipe Ángeles) cargo hub and available capacity through Mexico City Airport (MEX). These gateways support time-critical spare parts and just-in-time supply, subject to the actual operating arrangements.
- Multimodal: On request, we combine sea, air and inland transport, including collection and onward delivery to the country’s industrial centres.
Customs and documents
For trade with Mexico, we manage customs clearance for imports and exports. The EU–Mexico trade framework can provide customs preferences for qualifying originating goods. The correct proof of origin must meet the rules actually applicable to the shipment, including, where relevant, an EUR.1 movement certificate or an origin declaration on a commercial document. Modernised agreements were signed in May 2026; signature alone does not mean that every new preference or origin procedure already applies. Our team checks the applicable rules of origin, commercial invoice, packing list and customs documents to coordinate clearance on both sides.
For a single container or complex project cargo, SATS is your partner on the Mexico route. With an established network and local customs knowledge, we manage your sea freight and air freight with clear, coordinated planning. Talk to us about a suitable logistics solution for your trade with Mexico.