Mexico’s Secretariat of Economy formally implemented final anti-dumping measures on Chinese footwear on September 4, sending immediate ripples through the safety footwear sector-specifically products under TIGIE codes 6402.99.19 and 6404.19.99. Designed to counter alleged underpricing, the policy enforces a 22.58/pair minimum import price, with differential duties reaching up to 22.50 for shipments that fall below this benchmark.
Chinese exporters face dramatic cost disparities under the new rules: Taishan Dajiang Gongyi Yaxin bears the heaviest burden at 22.50/pair, while Zhejiang Bidibi pays just
0.54/pair. The ruling follows a 15-month investigation that uncovered a 59% surge in Chinese shoe imports between 2022 and 2023, paired with a 10% drop in Mexican domestic production. “This addresses systematic undercutting that has shrunk our industry by 13% since 2019,” a representative from Canaical (Mexico’s footwear industry association) noted, highlighting abuses of the IMMEX program-where duty-free imports meant for re-export were illegally diverted to local markets.
For Mexico’s small and medium-sized (SME) safety footwear makers, the import slowdown is a chance to gain market share; many are already planning modest production expansions to fill gaps. Distributors, however, warn end buyers of 15-20% price hikes for economy steel toe boots, though shoes priced above $22.58 avoid duties. Mexico has also tightened rules further: a 25% base tariff on shoe imports from non-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries, plus a ban on finished shoe imports via IMMEX, to block duty evasion.
Chinese exporters are racing to adapt: some are adding small upgrades-like reinforced boots steel toe or EVA water proof boots with Removable lining to justify premium pricing and hit the $22.58 threshold, while others are exploring partnerships, including joint ventures (JVs) with Mexican manufacturers, to produce locally and bypass restrictions entirely.
Post time: Sep-25-2025
