Everything You Need to Know About Mexico’s Carta Porte 2025
And Why It Matters for U.S. Companies in Cross-Border Logistics)
When it comes to shipping goods between the United States and Mexico, understanding local transport regulations isn’t optional — it’s essential. One of the most important Mexican requirements you should know about in 2025 is the Carta Porte.
🇲🇽 What Is the Carta Porte?
The Carta Porte is a mandatory digital document in Mexico that proves the legal ownership and transport of goods within the country. It works as a complement to the Mexican electronic invoice (CFDI), adding detailed information about the cargo, route, vehicle, and driver.
Its main purpose is to prevent smuggling, improve traceability, and ensure that every shipment moving through Mexican territory is fully compliant with tax and transport regulations.
⚙️ Updates for 2025
In 2025, the Mexican Tax Administration Service (SAT) introduced new updates to strengthen the system. The key changes include:
More digital control: Advanced validation processes for the document and vehicle data.
Updated catalogs: New codes for product categories and transport routes.
Stricter penalties: Fines and even shipment detention for missing or incorrect Carta Porte details.
These updates make compliance more rigorous — especially for companies operating cross-border routes.
🚛 Who Must Issue the Carta Porte?
The rule applies to all companies or individuals moving goods within Mexican territory, including:
Mexican freight companies.
Logistics providers and customs brokers.
U.S. companies transporting goods into Mexico or through it.
If your load enters Mexico (even just to deliver to a border city), you or your logistics partner must ensure the Carta Porte is issued correctly before crossing.
🧾 U.S. Equivalent: The Bill of Lading (BOL)
In the United States, the closest equivalent is the Bill of Lading (BOL) — a contract between the shipper and the carrier that describes the cargo, origin, and destination.
However, the BOL is not a fiscal document. It’s used for logistics control and proof of shipment, but it doesn’t replace the Carta Porte for operations inside Mexico.
👉 So, if your company handles shipments to or from Mexico, both documents are needed:
BOL for your U.S. operations.
Carta Porte once the shipment enters Mexican territory.
📦 Key Information Required for a Carta Porte
To be valid, a Carta Porte must include:
Shipper and receiver information (names, RFC, addresses).
Cargo details (type, weight, volume, description).
Transportation data (vehicle type, license plates, driver ID).
Origin and destination points with full addresses.
💡 Why Compliance Matters
Following the Carta Porte rules benefits your operations by:
Avoiding fines or shipment delays at customs.
Ensuring smoother cross-border clearance.
Strengthening supply-chain transparency and security.
For U.S. companies trading with or shipping to Mexico, the Carta Porte is more than just a formality — it’s a legal must-have. While it doesn’t apply to domestic U.S. transport, it directly impacts cross-border logistics and anyone moving goods within Mexican territory.
Keep your logistics providers up to date with the new 2025 requirements, and make sure your documentation — both BOL and Carta Porte — is perfectly aligned to keep your freight moving without issues.
