Mexico Customs Tax ID Requirement

If you’re selling to Mexico, using an invalid RFC or CURP for your recipient can cause customs delays, clearance issues, or even shipment rejection. It’s important to provide accurate Tax ID information to ensure your packages arrive smoothly.

Why is a valid Tax ID required for shipments to Mexico?

Mexican Customs has tightened inspections on non-compliant recipient Tax IDs, especially generic or invalid numbers (e.g. XAXX010101000).
If an incorrect or invalid Tax ID is provided when placing an order, shipments may face customs delays, clearance exceptions, or rejection.

To avoid clearance issues, please ensure that a valid recipient Tax ID is provided at checkout.

Which Tax IDs are accepted for Mexico shipments?

Either of the following is acceptable:

• RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes)

• CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población)

What is an RFC and what is its format?

RFC is a Mexican individual tax identification number consisting of 13 characters.

Format example:
XEXT990101N14

Structure:

1. First 4 letters: Derived from the individual’s legal name

2. Date of birth: 6 digits in YYMMDD format

3. Verification code: 3 characters assigned by the Mexican Tax Authority (SAT), consisting of 2 letters + 1 number

What is a CURP and what is its format?

CURP is the unique population registry code for individuals in Mexico and consists of 18 characters.

Structure:

1. State or federal district code: 4 letters representing the place of birth

2. Date of birth: 6 digits in YYMMDD format

3. Name initials: Letters derived from the individual’s parental surnames (first two letters from each)

What happens if an incorrect Tax ID is provided?

If the recipient Tax ID is invalid, incomplete, or generic, the shipment may experience:

• Customs clearance delays

• Clearance exceptions

• Possible return or rejection by customs

Important Reminder

Please double-check the recipient’s RFC or CURP before placing an order to ensure smooth customs clearance in Mexico.