Air Cargo Restrictions in Mexico: Which Sensitive Goods Are Prohibited? Analysis of Reasons

In the global trade landscape of Latin America, Mexico has become a key logistics hub for enterprises worldwide, thanks to its geographical proximity to the United States, large consumer market, and well-developed manufacturing sector. Air cargo, as an efficient transportation method connecting Mexico to global markets, undertakes the transportation needs of high-value-added and time-sensitive goods. However, based on multiple considerations such as national security, public interests, ecological protection, and legal supervision, the Mexican government implements strict restriction policies on air cargo, and has formulated a clear prohibited list specifically for “sensitive goods”. A deep understanding of these prohibited categories and the reasons behind them is not only a prerequisite for logistics enterprises to operate in compliance but also the key to avoiding cargo detention, fines, and even legal liability. This article will systematically sort out the categories of sensitive goods prohibited in Mexican air cargo and analyze the reasons for the prohibitions from three dimensions: policy background, risk hazards, and legal basis, providing comprehensive references for cross-border logistics practitioners.

I. Policy Background and Regulatory System of Air Cargo Restrictions in Mexico

Before analyzing specific prohibited goods, it is necessary to first clarify the core logic of Mexico’s air cargo regulation—centering on “risk prevention and control” while balancing international convention obligations and domestic governance needs. Mexico’s air cargo regulatory system is jointly built by multi-level institutions. Among them, the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil (DGAC) (Mexican Civil Aviation Authority) is the highest competent authority, responsible for formulating aviation transportation safety standards, approving cargo transportation qualifications, and supervising the domestic implementation of international conventions; the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT) (Mexican Tax Administration Service, which also undertakes customs functions) is responsible for inspecting incoming cargo, and detects prohibited items through X-ray testing, unpacking inspections, and other methods; in addition, institutions such as the Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER) (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), Secretaría de Salud (SSA) (Ministry of Health), and Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) have formulated special regulatory rules for animal and plant products, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, and other fields respectively, forming a “full-chain, multi-institutional” regulatory network.

From the perspective of legal basis, Mexico’s air cargo restrictions not only comply with international conventions such as the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) but also are based on domestic laws such as the Ley Federal de Aviación Civil (Mexican Federal Aviation Law), Ley Federal de Armas y Explosivos (Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives), and Ley de Protección de la Propiedad Intelectual (Intellectual Property Protection Law). This “international alignment + local adaptation” regulatory system determines that its prohibited goods list not only covers globally common categories of dangerous goods but also includes special restrictions targeting Mexico’s social issues (such as drugs and illegal weapons).

II. Categories of Sensitive Goods Prohibited in Mexican Air Cargo and Analysis of Reasons

Mexico’s prohibition on sensitive goods is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach but rather classified management based on the risk attributes, social impacts, and legal regulations of the goods. Combined with actual regulatory cases, the following sections will elaborate on 12 core categories of prohibited sensitive goods and the in-depth reasons behind them.

(1) Weapons and Ammunition: Curbing Violent Crime and National Security Risks

Prohibited Scope: Includes military firearms (rifles, machine guns), civilian pistols, imitation weapons, bullets, grenades, landmines, and explosive device components (such as detonators and fuses). Even weapons used for collection or sports competitions require special approval from the Mexican Ministry of National Defense (with an approval rate of less than 5%).

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Domestic Security Crisis: Mexico is one of the countries with a relatively high violent crime rate in the world, and the illegal circulation of weapons is a core cause of gang conflicts and public security incidents. According to data from the Mexican National Security Commission, approximately 70% of violent cases in the country in 2024 were related to illegal weapons. Air cargo, due to its “high concealment and fast transportation speed”, has become one of the main channels for illegal weapons smuggling.
2. Rigid Legal Constraints: The Ley Federal de Armas y Explosivos (Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives) clearly stipulates that except for official institutions such as the military and police, any individual or enterprise transporting weapons without authorization shall face 5 to 15 years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of 1 million Mexican pesos (approximately 350,000 RMB).
3. International Anti-Terrorism Obligations: As a party to the UN Anti-Terrorism Conventions, Mexico needs to prevent weapons from flowing into terrorist organizations through air cargo. Therefore, the inspection standards for weapon transportation are far stricter than those for ordinary goods—even for legally imported security equipment, it is necessary to provide a certificate of origin, a statement of purpose, and an approval document from the Mexican Ministry of the Interior.

(2) Drugs and Controlled Pharmaceuticals: A National Strategy to Address Drug Proliferation

Prohibited Scope: Covers traditional drugs such as opium, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as controlled pharmaceuticals (such as morphine and sedative psychotropic drugs) that have not obtained the Import Pharmaceutical License from the Mexican Ministry of Health, and even health products containing prohibited ingredients (such as weight-loss products containing ephedrine).

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Severity of the Drug Problem: Mexico is one of the world’s largest drug-producing and transit countries. Cocaine and marijuana from the “Silver Triangle” drug-producing area are disguised as ordinary goods and transported to the United States and European markets via air cargo. According to statistics from the Mexican Drug Enforcement Administration, the total amount of drugs seized at airports in 2024 reached 12 tons, an increase of 18% year-on-year, and 80% of them were transported through “split-box hiding” (mixing drugs with electronic products and clothing).
2. Public Health Risks: Unauthorized controlled pharmaceuticals may have problems such as unknown ingredients and excessive dosages. In 2023, an incident occurred in Mexico where “illegally imported weight-loss drugs caused 12 deaths”. Since then, the government has classified the air transportation of controlled pharmaceuticals into the “highest risk” supervision category, requiring each batch of goods to provide a drug instruction manual, production qualification certificate, and clinical safety report.
3. International Anti-Drug Cooperation: Mexico has signed the North American Anti-Drug Agreement with the United States and Canada, committing to strengthening the inspection of drugs in air cargo. Currently, major airports in Mexico (such as Mexico City International Airport and Guadalajara Airport) are equipped with “ion mobility spectrometry detectors”, which can identify drug residues within 30 seconds.

(3) Flammable and Explosive Items: Ensuring Air Transportation Safety

Prohibited Scope: Includes gasoline, diesel, alcohol (with a concentration ≥ 70%), natural gas cylinders, fireworks, firecrackers, lighters (containing fuel), and flammable and explosive reagents used in chemical laboratories (such as ammonium nitrate and ether).

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Absolute Red Line for Aviation Safety: In the air cargo environment, changes in cabin pressure and temperature fluctuations may cause flammable and explosive items to leak or explode. In 2022, a “cabin fire caused by lighter fuel leakage” occurred on a Mexican airline flight. Although no casualties were caused, it resulted in an emergency landing. Since then, the government has classified such items as “absolutely prohibited”, with no exception approval channels.
2. Requirements of International Civil Aviation Standards: According to the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Dangerous Goods Regulations, flammable and explosive items belong to “Class 1 Dangerous Goods” and are prohibited from being transported on passenger flights. Cargo flights also need to meet special packaging, marking, and escort requirements. However, Mexico has directly imposed a comprehensive ban on the air transportation of such items out of safety considerations.
3. Ground Safety Hazards: Even during the airport storage phase of goods, flammable and explosive items may cause accidents due to collision or high temperature. In 2021, a fire broke out at Mexico City International Airport due to alcohol leakage in the warehouse, destroying goods worth over 2 million US dollars. This incident directly prompted the government to tighten the air cargo control of flammable and explosive items.

(4) Radioactive Substances: Preventing Health and Environmental Hazards

Prohibited Scope: Includes radioactive elements such as uranium and plutonium, as well as equipment containing radioactive components (such as unshielded medical radiotherapy equipment and industrial flaw detectors), and radioactive waste.

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Irreversible Health Risks: The α, β, and γ rays emitted by radioactive substances can damage human cells, and long-term exposure may lead to serious diseases such as cancer and gene mutations. Mexico’s Ley de Protección contra Radiaciones Ionizantes (Radiation Protection Law) stipulates that the transportation of any radioactive substances requires approval from the Comisión Nacional de Seguridad Nuclear y Salvaguardias (CNSNS) (National Commission for Nuclear Safety and Safeguards). However, air cargo is explicitly prohibited because “radiation doses cannot be monitored throughout the process”.
2. Environmental Governance Costs: Once radioactive substances leak, they will cause long-term pollution to soil and water sources, with a governance cycle of decades. In 2019, Mexico seized a batch of “radioactive waste disguised as industrial equipment” and ultimately spent 5 million US dollars on professional treatment. This case has become an important basis for prohibiting the air transportation of radioactive substances.
3. Requirements of the IAEA: As a member of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), Mexico needs to comply with the Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material. Air cargo is excluded from legal transportation methods because it has a short transportation time and high difficulty in emergency handling, which does not meet the requirement in the regulations that “the transportation of radioactive substances must have an emergency plan”.

(5) Corrosive and Highly Toxic Substances: Protecting Personnel and Facility Safety

Prohibited Scope: Corrosive substances include sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), formaldehyde, etc.; highly toxic substances include cyanides (potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide), tetramine (a highly toxic rodenticide), and high-concentration pesticides (such as methamidophos).

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Direct Harm Risks: Once the packaging of corrosive substances is damaged, they will corrode the aircraft fuselage and cargo transportation equipment, and at the same time burn the skin of operators; even a small amount of leakage of highly toxic substances may cause personnel poisoning through air transmission. In 2023, Mexican customs seized 30 kilograms of sodium cyanide in a batch of “chemical raw materials”. If leaked, it could have caused poisoning of personnel within a 5-kilometer radius around the airport.
2. High Difficulty in Emergency Handling: During air transportation, if corrosive or highly toxic substances leak, the crew lacks professional handling equipment and can only solve the problem through emergency landing. However, most airports in Mexico do not have “emergency handling stations for highly toxic substance leakage”. Therefore, the air transportation of such goods is prohibited from the perspective of “risk controllability”.
3. Clear Legal Liability: The Ley Federal de Protección al Medio Ambiente (Federal Environmental Protection Law) stipulates that enterprises that cause environmental pollution by transporting corrosive or highly toxic substances shall bear “unlimited joint and several liability”, including compensating for environmental remediation costs and personnel medical expenses. This strict legal liability also encourages logistics enterprises to actively avoid such goods.

(6) Counterfeit, Shoddy, and Infringing Items: Maintaining Market Order and Protecting Intellectual Property Rights

Prohibited Scope: Includes counterfeit branded electronic products (such as high-imitation Apple mobile phones), clothing (such as fake LV bags), cosmetics, as well as pirated books, audio-visual products, and unauthorized software CDs.

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Economic Losses: Mexico is a country with a high incidence of intellectual property infringement in Latin America. According to statistics from the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (IMPI) (Mexican Institute of Industrial Property), counterfeit and shoddy products caused losses of over 5 billion US dollars to local enterprises in 2024, and 80% of these counterfeit products entered Mexico via air cargo. Therefore, the government has classified such goods as “key targets for crackdown”.
2. Protection of Consumer Rights and Interests: Counterfeit and shoddy products have serious safety hazards. For example, fake cosmetics may contain heavy metals, and fake electronic products may have electric leakage risks. In 2022, an incident occurred in Mexico where “a fake mobile phone battery exploded and injured a user”. Since then, customs has strengthened the brand traceability inspection of electronic products in air cargo.
3. International Trade Commitments: As a member of the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), Mexico needs to fulfill its intellectual property protection obligations. The United States and Canada have repeatedly pressured Mexico to crack down on infringing products entering the country via air cargo. Therefore, Mexico has included the air cargo restrictions on counterfeit and shoddy items into the “trade cooperation assessment indicators”.

(7) Live Animals (Except for Special Cases): Ensuring Animal Welfare and Preventing Epidemics

Prohibited Scope: Includes pets (cats, dogs, unless they have a quarantine certificate issued by SADER), wild animals (such as snakes, lizards), poultry and livestock (chickens, pigs, unless used for scientific research), and insects (such as bees, ants).

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Animal Welfare and Transportation Risks: The air cargo environment is closed and bumpy, and live animals are prone to death due to oxygen deficiency and stress reactions. In 2023, a Mexican airline seized a batch of “illegally air-transported pet dogs”, 30% of which died due to poor transportation conditions, triggering protests from animal protection organizations and prompting the government to tighten the air transportation policy for live animals.
2. Risk of Epidemic Introduction: Wild animals may carry pathogens such as avian influenza and rabies, which may trigger large-scale epidemics if introduced into Mexico. Mexico is a major animal husbandry country. In 2021, “birds illegally transported by air carried the avian influenza virus”, causing losses of over 100 million US dollars to the local chicken industry. Since then, the government has required all live animals transported by air to provide a “quarantine report within 30 days”.
3. Ecological Invasion Risks: After being introduced into Mexico via air cargo, alien species may destroy the local ecological balance. For example, the “illegally air-transported red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans)” seized by Mexico in 2019 could have led to the extinction of local turtle species if they had entered the natural environment. Therefore, the government implements a “zero import” policy for non-native live animals.

(8) Precious Wildlife and Their Products: Fulfilling the Obligation of Biodiversity Protection

Prohibited Scope: Includes endangered species listed in the CITES Convention (such as ivory, rhinoceros horns, and Taxus chinensis), species under Mexico’s domestic protection (such as jaguar fur and Taxodium mucronatum wood), and handicrafts made from these species (such as ivory carvings and coral jewelry).

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Biodiversity Protection: Mexico has 12% of the world’s species resources and is a biodiversity hotspot. However, its native species are facing the risk of endangerment due to illegal trade. According to SEMARNAT data, 60% of the illegal wildlife products seized in Mexico in 2024 were transported via air cargo, and the smuggling volume of “Mexican parrot feather products” increased by 25% year-on-year.
2. Obligations under International Conventions: As a party to the CITES Convention, Mexico needs to prohibit the international trade of endangered species and their products. Air cargo, due to its “fast transportation speed and difficulty in tracking”, has become the main channel for illegal trade. Therefore, the government has classified such goods as “highest-level prohibited”, and once seized, they will be directly destroyed and criminal liability will be pursued.
3. Cultural Heritage Protection: Some precious wildlife products belong to Mexico’s indigenous cultural heritage (such as ritual items made from eagle feathers). Illegal transportation will damage cultural inheritance. Therefore, the government prohibits the air transportation of such goods from the dual perspectives of “ecological protection + cultural protection”.

(9) Obscene and Pornographic Items: Safeguarding Social Ethics and Adolescent Health

Prohibited Scope: Includes obscene books, magazines, photos, video CDs, as well as toys and clothing containing pornographic content. Even “personal use” pornographic items are prohibited from entering the country via air cargo.

Reasons for Prohibition:

1. Social Ethical Orientation: Mexico is a Catholic country, and the society has a relatively low acceptance of “obscene content”. The government believes that such items will corrupt social ethics and trigger sexual crimes. In 2023, Mexican customs seized 200 pornographic CDs in a batch of “personal parcels” and finally prosecuted the recipient for “the crime of spreading obscene items”.
2. Need to Protect Adolescents: Mexican law clearly stipulates that “the dissemination of pornographic content to minors is prohibited”. If pornographic items are mixed into air cargo, they may flow into the hands of adolescents through express delivery channels. Therefore,