Purchases on Shein and Temu will pay a new tax in Mexico starting today.

Starting August 15, purchases made on platforms like Shein, Temu , and other online retail sites from China or countries outside the USMCA will be subject to higher taxes upon entry into Mexico. This means that starting today, your purchases will be charged extra, and La Verdad Noticias tells you all the details.

The measure announced by the Tax Administration Service ( SAT ) applies a 33.5% rate to shipments received via courier companies under the simplified scheme.

To put this in perspective, if you buy a blouse on Shein for 400 pesos, the additional tax could be 135 pesos , bringing the final cost to 535 pesos before delivery. This means that products that previously seemed affordable could have a noticeable increase in price when they arrive at your home.

The SAT explained that if the package is valued at more than $117 (about 2,000 pesos) and includes an air waybill or bill of lading, the rate is reduced to 19% , provided it is not subject to special regulations or restrictions.

For shipments from the United States and Canada, USMCA countries, the rules change:

• Up to $50: exempt from IGI and VAT, only pay DTA.
• Between $50 and $117: global rate of 17%.

1. Check the declared value: If your package is over $117, make sure the store includes an air waybill to reduce your tax bill.
2. Compare prices: Consider the total cost including tax before finalizing your purchase.
3. Take advantage of local shipping or distributors: Some stores have warehouses in Mexico that avoid the high tax on direct imports.
4. Check payment methods and shipping: Some services include the tax at the time of purchase, while others charge it upon receipt of the package.

With this measure, the SAT seeks to reduce tax evasion and prevent undervaluations of goods intended to pay less taxes, strengthening customs controls over imports.