Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Mexico

Central America and the Caribbean · 20 port guides · US free trade agreement partner

In 2025 the United States exported $337.3 billion of goods to Mexico and imported $534.3 billion from there. Mexico was the largest market for US exports and the largest source of US imports.

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35 ports in Mexico recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$337.3BUp 0.8% on 2024 ($334.5 billion)
US imports, 2025
$534.3BUp 6.2% on 2024 ($503.1 billion)
Goods balance
$197.0BUS deficit
Export market rank
1stAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
1stAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Mexico

Machinery and mechanical appliances (chapter 84) led US exports to Mexico at $65.9 billion, 20% of the total. The top three chapters made up 47%.

  1. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$65.9 billion19.5%
  2. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$57.2 billion17.0%
  3. 27Mineral fuels and oils$36.9 billion10.9%
  4. 87Vehicles and parts$26.0 billion7.7%
  5. 39Plastics$21.1 billion6.3%

US imports from Mexico

Machinery and mechanical appliances (chapter 84) led US imports from Mexico at $150.0 billion, 28% of the total. The top three chapters made up 68%.

  1. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$150.0 billion28.1%
  2. 87Vehicles and parts$123.6 billion23.1%
  3. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$90.7 billion17.0%
  4. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$24.0 billion4.5%
  5. 94Furniture, bedding and lighting$12.2 billion2.3%

Trade terms

The United States and Mexico are parties to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Goods that meet its rules of origin can qualify for reduced or zero duty. Our certificates of origin page covers the paperwork.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Mexico requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Mexico.

Exports through the port, 2025
$13.6M0.0% of the US total with Mexico
Leading export goods
Tobacco and nicotine productsHS chapter 24, $7.1 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$88.1M0.0% of the US total with Mexico
Leading import goods
Articles of iron or steelHS chapter 73, $25.4 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in Mexico

20 ports in Mexico have a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index. In the index, Dos Bocas Terminal records the deepest cargo pier of them, at 23.2 m.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for Mexico: Campeche, Cayo Arcas Terminal, Ciudad del Carmen, Frontera, Isla San Marcos, Minatitlan, Nanchital, Puerto Costa Maya, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Progreso, Punta Venado, Rosarito, San Juan de la Costa, San Miguel de Cozumel and Santa Rosalia.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.