Mexico’s VUCEM – Responsibilities & Roles
In a webcast on Mexican Foreign Trade’s Unique Portal, Ventanilla Unica de Comercio Exterior Mexicano (VUCEM), Lalo Solorzano of Integration Point discussed the significance of VUCEM, its process and requirements, and more. Included in the VUCEM process is the relevance and utility of a document submitted via VUCEM called Comprobante de Valor Electronico (COVE). During the Automation for Mexican Trade – VUCEM Explained webcast, there were several questions that could not be answered due to time constraints. As promised in the webcast, those questions and answers from Mr. Solorzano will be posted here on this blog. We have divided the questions and answers into four different categories with the first blog post covering general VUCEM information and the second blog post covering COVE details. Today’s post is about who is responsible for what when filing via VUCEM.
Q: Is it the responsibility of the importing/exporting company or of the Mexican Customs Broker to file the information?
A: It is the responsibility of the importer/exporter of record and not the broker. In some cases, a company may outsource their responsibility to a broker. However, in a traditional environment the importer/exporter of record will need to process these transactions as is currently done with the physical paperwork today. While the broker has information about the shipment and can access the electronic information once submitted, the COVE should be created and sent by the importer/exporter.
Q: Pertaining to the ownership of goods, if a file is uploaded under the FIEL, for the Mexican Government, whose responsibility is it going to be even before the arrival to Customs?
A: This remains the same as if a company were presenting documentation on paper today. The only thing that changes is the presentation of that information. Right now it is done on paper as compared to the new method which will be done electronically. But, this should not affect the ownership or responsibility.
Q: Who should complete the shipment information through VUCEM: the customs broker or the importer/exporter?
A: This is a decision that the importer/exporter needs to make. There is no regulation that says who submits what information. In some instances, a company will outsource their Customs compliance to a broker, in which case the broker will handle the data entry. The best way to decide who is completing the information is to look at who is currently creating the import/export invoices and that would most likely be the one that needs to do the VUCEM/COVE.
Q: Generally the customs broker is the one that verifies the invoice information and pedimento. With this new regulation, are we, the importer/exporter, responsible for the review?
A: The importer/exporter of record that creates the file can assign the broker as a party to have access to the information that was transmitted. If a company wishes for the broker to review that shipment information, it is necessary to make sure that the broker is an authorized user in the VUCEM account.
Did you miss the webcast or would like to share it with others in your organization? You can view the on-demand webcast here.
