7. Importation Requirements

Animal Feed
Mexico

This section provides information on the importation process (shipment, customs, licenses required, and test requirements). 

7.1 Shipment Declaration

General Feed [1-4]

Deregulated products do not require import/entry registration or authorization by SENASICA or prior import permits from Mexican customs. Therefore, their entry authorization will be given at the moment of entry into the country through the verification of the document requirements demanded by the Agricultural Health Inspection Office at the point of entry. 

Considering the GMO nature of the ingredients and to support the import procedure, the contacted authorities from SENASICA mentioned that an "Escrito libre" shall be submitted to determine the viability of the product importation. For the "Escrito libre", the following requirements must be submitted at SENASICA: 

1. Complete the "Animal Health Requirements Sheet" or in its absence prepare an "Escrito Libre" containing the following information:
   1. The name(s) or company name(s) of the applicant(s) and, if applicable, their legal representative(s)
   2. The address of the applicant (importer)
   3. The telephone number
   4. The e-mail address, in those cases where the interested parties authorize or indicate this as a means of communication or notification
   5. The Federal Taxpayers' Register (RFC) code
   6. The Unique Population Register Code (CURP), in the case of natural persons
   7. Indicate the request being made, the facts or reasons that give rise to the request, the administrative body to which it is addressed (SENASICA), and the place and date of its issuance
   8. Signed by the interested party or its legal representative
   9. The scientific and common name of the product to be imported
   10. Type of product, e.g. "product for animal consumption containing amino acids"
   11. Use, which may be industrial, for consumption, for sowing, propagative plant material, or other
   12. Country of origin and provenance
2. Technical data sheet of the product and details of the raw materials, including the PCR tests showing that GM DNA is not detected in the finished product.

The "Escrito libre" must be prepared by the Authorized Responsible Veterinarian of the importer company and filled in person at the central offices of SENASICA.  This document must describe in detail the specifications of the product (name, manufacturer, expiry date, batch, nutritional composition, nature, indications for use, etc.). SENASICA will issue an official opinion that supports the import procedure of the product. It is free of charge, and the timeline is based on the demand of applications filed at SENASICA. Authorities from SENASICA mentioned that this could take between 1 and 4 weeks to obtain an official opinion. 

Category

The category of "Finished products containing only vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or a combination of these and for oral administration" should comply with the shipment declaration requirements outlined in the “General Feed” Section 7.1 above.

Product

"Products containing amino acids" should comply with the shipment declaration requirements outlined in the “General Feed” Section 7.1 above.

7.2 Customs Procedure

General Feed

As above-mentioned, Deregulated products will be controlled at the point of entry by the Agricultural Health Inspection Office. For this purpose, the Animal health requirements for the importation of goods "Feed additives, food supplements, and food supplements for animal use or consumption exempted from registration or authorization" established the following requirements to be submitted during the customs procedure [4]: 

1. Present the original and a simple copy of the quality control certificate or certificate of analysis of the lots to be imported, issued by the manufacturing company, or a Health Certificate issued by the Official Health Authority of the country of origin indicating: the manufacturing company, the exporting company and the lots to be imported. In the case of Quality Control Certificates and/or Certificates of Analysis that are issued in the country of origin exclusively electronically, it is accepted that they are signed and stamped by the Legal Representative of the importing company. The officials of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Office will retain only the copy after checking this documentation. 
2. Submit a product data sheet or equivalent document issued by the manufacturing company, indicating the ingredients of the product.
3. In addition, an Agricultural, Livestock, Aquaculture, and Fisheries Health Officer (OSAAP) will carry out a documentary review and physical inspection of the shipment at the first point of entry into the country. This is to verify that no products with ingredients of animal origin or products with pharmacological properties are intended to enter the country (these are not allowed under this modality).
4. A copy of the Notice of Operation or a copy of the Operating Report in Compliance with the Mexican Official Standards Applicable to Establishments, issued by the Directorate of Livestock Services and Certification (DSCP) of the Directorate General of Animal Health (DGSA), stating that the company is regulated as an importer of products intended for animal consumption.
5. The importing company must present an affidavit indicating the specific destination of the product, stating: the company name, SAGARPA file number, address of the importing company, name of the legal representative, and final use of the goods.
6. Deregulated products are exempted from submitting documentation concerning their registration or authorization by SENASICA. In the case of GMO-derived products, the authorities contacted mentioned that the official opinion resulting from "Escrito libre" must be submitted. 
7. Goods contained in sacks, combos, boxes, and containers must come on pallets or platforms for proper physical inspection.

Category

The category of "Finished products containing only vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or a combination of these and for oral administration" should comply with the customs procedures outlined in the “General Feed” Section 7.2 above.

Product

"Products containing amino acids" should comply with the customs procedures outlined in the “General Feed” Section 7.2 above. 

7.3 Manufacturing License

A manufacturing license is not required for importation.

7.4 Test for Importation

General Feed

To support the importation process, specific tests need to be conducted to ensure quality and safety depending on the type of product. Mandatory testing parameters are not described. [4]

Category

The category of "Finished products containing only vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or a combination of these and for oral administration" should comply with the requirements outlined in the “General Feed” Section 7.4 above.

Product

"Products containing amino acids" should comply with the requirements outlined in the “General Feed” Section 7.4 above.

7.5 Other Notes or Requirements for Importation

General Feed

According to the animal health requirements for the importation of goods "Feed additives, food supplements, and food supplements for animal use or consumption exempted from registration or authorization" [4], the importation of these products will be conditioned by the following points established in the Federal Animal Health Law [1,5]:

1. The importation of products for animal use or consumption is subject to inspection in accordance with the applicable animal health provisions and to the issuance of the animal health import certificate at the point of entry into the country. 
2. Whoever imports any of the goods listed in this Law, shall comply with the animal health requirements sheet or the animal health provisions previously established by the sanitary authority for importation.
3. As part of the traceability system for imported products for animal use or consumption, the information that defines the below is needed:
   1. Origin
   2. Provenance
   3. The Destination
   4. The Lot
   5. The date of manufacture and expiry date
4. The importation of material containing in any form the causative agents of the diseases according to the "AGREEMENT by which the exotic and endemic diseases and pests of compulsory notification of terrestrial and aquatic animals are made known in the United Mexican States", published on 29 November 2018 in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) [2,3], is expressly prohibited.
5. These requirements apply only to the products referred to in Article 3 sections I and XI of the Agreement amending the similar one specifying the non-medicated products for animal use or consumption that are deregulated (Amendment published in the DOF on 14 August 2018) [2,3] and those referred to in Article 152 of the Regulation of the Federal Law on Animal Health published in the DOF on 21 May 2012 [1].
6. These requirements do not exempt the importer from complying with documents, procedures, and/or formalities required by other authorities. 

Category

The category of "Finished products containing only vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or a combination of these and for oral administration" should comply with the additional requirements outlined in the “General Feed” in Section 7.5 above.

Product

"Products containing amino acids" should comply with the additional requirements outlined in the “General Feed” in Section 7.5 above.

7.6 Overview Flowchart for Importation Process

None. See Customs Procedure in Section 7.2 above for information.

7.7 References

1. Regulation of the Federal Animal Health Law, 2012

https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/581657/REGLAMENTO_de_la_Ley_Federal_de_Sanidad_Animal.pdf

2. SENASICA's Agreement specifying the non-medicated products for animal use or consumption to be deregulated

https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/559935/ACUERDO_por_el_que_se_especifican_los_productos_no_medicados_para_uso_o_consumo_animal_que_se_desregulan.pdf

3. Modification of the SENASICA's agreement (2018)

https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/559936/ACUERDO_por_el_que_se_modifica_el_similar_por_el_que_se_especifican_los_productos.pdf

4. Animal health requirements for the importation of goods "Feed additives, food supplements and food supplements for animal use or consumption exempted from registration or authorisation" - Combination code: 099-14-985-USA-USA

https://sistemasssl.senasica.gob.mx/mcrz/moduloConsulta.jsf

5. Federal Animal Health Law

https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LFSA.pdf