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Shipping hazardous materials to Mexico is a complicated process, since there are many government agencies involved with the regulation of transporting dangerous goods on both sides of the border. If you’re new to the process, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Key Takeaways:
Join us as we review the steps involved in transporting HAZMAT from the U.S. to Mexico
Table of Contents
Which Materials are Considered Hazardous?Hazardous materials are any products or byproducts that could pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment if they are accidentally released from their containers outside controlled circumstances. They could be liquids, solids, or gases, with varying degrees of danger.
There are many everyday household goods that qualify as hazardous, including:
Shipping any goods from the U.S. to Mexico requires carriers to be experienced with regulations in both countries, and this is especially true with hazmat due to the dangers that can arise. Let’s start by looking at rules from the United States Federal Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The FMCSA refers to all hazardous materials undergoing shipment as “dangerous goods”. In order to protect workers, companies, roads, and even public health, transporting dangerous goods is a strictly regulated process. These regulations can be split into two general categories: those that apply to shippers, and those that apply to carriers.
Some shipper responsibilities include:
Carriers share some of the aforementioned responsibilities, in addition to the following:
Before hauling hazardous materials, carriers in the U.S. must register via the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) website. They may also need a Hazardous Materials Safety Permit from the FMCSA when hauling highly poisonous or radioactive materials.
Along with the laws established by U.S. agencies, the shipment must also comply with Mexico’s regulations for transporting hazmat.
The Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and the Secretariat of Environmental and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) govern the transportation of dangerous goods in Mexico. Carriers in Mexico must apply for permits from the SCT to transport hazmat from.
If you plan to import hazardous materials into Mexico, you’ll need to submit detailed information to the SCT, including the following:
The rules for storage and transport of HAZMAT in Mexico are laid out thoroughly in article 86 of LGPIR sec 117 of the Reglamento y del Convenio de Basilea. It’s worth noting that this law also prohibits importation of persistent organic pollutants such as DDT, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dioxins.
Fortunately for shippers and carriers alike, the international shipping process is easier than in the past thanks to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as the three countries involved have mostly harmonized their regulations for the transport of certain commodities.
Once your shipment has been authorized by all the required agencies, you can move forward with getting the appropriate documents.
Shipments of dangerous goods from the U.S. to Mexico must be accompanied by several documents, including the following.
The FMCSA enforces additional labeling and shipping requirements in 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart C of the Code of Federal Regulations. Among these requirements are: listing of the material’s hazmat classification, how to express the quantity of materials being shipped, and the minimum flash point of flammable goods.
Although not technically required, all documents should include information in English and Spanish to prevent any misunderstandings. This also allows for easier communication in the event of a spill, so responders to the incident can react appropriately to control it.
Since hazardous materials pose a greater threat than standard goods, should mishandling or an accident occur, expect in-depth inquiries. Penalties for deliberate violations of the previously mentioned regulations are correspondingly high.
In the table below, I’ve compiled some of the penalties that can arise if your hazmat shipment is inspected and found to be non-compliant.
| Violation | Maximum Civil Penalty |
| Violation of hazmat transportation law applicable to manufacturer, design, packaging, certification, and the like | $99,576 |
| Violations such as those previously mentioned which lead to severe injury, illness, or death | $232,762 |
If violations are found to persist over a multi-day period, each day counts as a separate violation. It’s easy to see how even minor mistakes can potentially rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fines. This is just one reason why choosing the right carrier for shipment should be a thoughtful and deliberate process.
When dealing with shipments of hazardous materials, you need to be extremely careful to pick a carrier that is hazmat certified. The stakes are much higher with these shipments, since mishandling can lead to severe consequences.
There are many things that could go horribly wrong with mishandled hazmat freight, including:
With such serious possible consequences, it pays to be extra careful when selecting a carrier for your hazardous goods. If you want to play it safe, consider leaving the decision up to a third-party logistics company. They can verify the hazmat certification claims made by carriers and find the most experienced option for your shipment.
Related: Cross Border Freight Companies: What to Look For
Whether you’re looking for Laredo cross border shipping or any other international freight services, R+L Global Logistics is prepared to be your strategic partner. Our multilingual staff and over 30 years of cross-border shipping experience means that we can offer the best in customer service and successful deliveries.
The full list of services we offer includes:
If you need help shipping hazardous materials from the U.S. to Mexico, give us a call at (866) 335-0495 or contact us online. We’ll make sure your dangerous goods ship out safely.
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I am trying to ship two one gallon plastic jugs of extracts which contain Ethyl alcohol. they will be shipped from Brazoria, Texas to Tapachula, Chiapas Mexico. They are in a box 13″x13″x13″ weighing 126.9 pounds. I have The SDS for both products. There is no invoice because we are shipping from our company to our company. Would someone please help me on this issue? Thank you Ralph Edwards.
I am trying to ship one 1000 ml bottle of 3M AP596 clear cleaner and 2 250 ml cans of 3M P591 plastic primer. They will be shipped from Sandpoint Idaho, US to Yucatan, Mexico. They are in a box with dims of 14″ X 7″ X 8″ weighing 5 pounds. I have The SDS for both products. Reference invoice number SO20088. Would someone please help me on this issue? Thank you Sheila Heil Reed.
we need to ship 207 kg of Silver Mercury (hg) from Chicago USA to Mexico on its way to China Schenzen via sea freight and need help to arrange this shipment – Tenex Corp JMK
i’m trying to ship 140 wireless phone charger banks to Mexico, what’s the best way to ship them