Logistics Intelligence Bulletin | October 20, 2025 → October 24, 2025

In the last week, the foreign trade and logistics panel in Mexico and North America moved along three axes: customs reform, regulatory adjustments in RGCE 2025 and mixed signals from the maritime freight market that affect the planning of forwarders, 4PL logistics and project cargo operators. Here are the points that really change decisions.

For the next 7 days, the focus will be on the implementation of the Fifth Resolution at RGCE 2025, the reading of logistics costs (rates and exchange rate) and the capacity/space effects on Transpacific-North America routes.

📰 What was relevant from the previous week

Senate approves customs reform but defers entry into force to 2026

The Upper House approved a reform to combat smuggling and strengthen customs inspections, but postponed its validity to January 1, 2026. It involves new powers and rules for agents and facilities.

Key Impact: For importers, 4PL operators and forwarders, there will be an additional planning window to adapt compliance and service contracts in audited venues. Delay avoids short-term disruptions, but it shouldn't stop internal audits and risk mapping. The recommendation is to prepare a compliance roadmap tied to 2025Q4—2026H1, with an emphasis on documentary control and traceability processes.

Source: El País

The Fifth Resolution of Amendments to the RGCE 2025 has been published

Rules and Annexes 1, 2 and 5 are updated; among the changes, guidelines for ATA associations and transitory adjustments linked to basic basket facilities.

Key Impact: Review procedures and reports related to ATA Notebooks, as well as validity and extensions. For nearshoring and project loads, operational and documentary changes affect lead time in releases and international transit of special equipment. Stress desk tests with your agent/customs area.

Source: Official Gazette of the Federation.

Panama adjusts its 2025—2035 strategy and refines its reserve system

The Panama Canal Authority launched a strategic plan (2025—2035) and adjustments to the reservation scheme to provide greater flexibility, in a context of limited daily quotas.

Key Impact: For Roro/Lolo and containers to Golfo/USEC, managing bookings and transit windows remains critical. 4PLs must recalibrate routing guides and traffic buffers; index-linked index (FBX/XSI) contracts can cushion volatility.

Source: World Cargo News.

Automotive: the Mexican industry points out chain risks before the T-MEC review

AMIA and analysts warn of tensions for regional supply in the face of the 2026 revision, with potential changes in rules of origin and industrial policy.

Key Impact: OEMs and Tier 1—2 must stress-test rules of origin and North America-Mexico footprint. For forwarders and 4PLs, opportunities are opening up for cross-border consolidation and VMI (vendor managed inventory) in steel/auto clusters.

Source: Mexico Business News.

Transpacific Freight: Pressured spot rates, with a slight weekly uptick

Far East—USWC spot rates are around $1,650—1,700/FEU (week of October 15), after previous declines and capacity adjustments.

{{4pl-light}}

🇲🇽 The highlights of the DOF

Fifth Resolution of Amendments to RGCE 2025 — SHCP/SAT

Planned and published on October 21, 2025 (morning edition): changes to rules and Annexes 1, 2 and 5; inclusion of guidelines for associations that guarantee and issue ATA Notebooks, transient clarifications linked to facilities to Basic basket and updating of institutional references. It involves reviewing compliance matrices, processing sheets and warranty schemes.

Precisions to RGCE and references to the energy sector — SHCP

Specialized media reported adjustments where incorporates the new National Energy Commission in permissions/notices sections previously linked to the extinct CRE; review effects on hydrocarbons and regulated goods.

📡 In the spotlight this week

Thursday — Minutes/exchange rate indicators and operational FIX (Banxico)

With the FIX exchange rate around $18.42 (22-Oct), review coverage and pricing in freight contracts, especially for imports and project loads (machinery). Maintain coverage triggers and adjustment clauses.

Operational adjustment in Panama Canal reserves

Check for quotas and possible changes in Booking Period 3 and windows 1A/1; transits and transfers to USEC may require detours or split routing. Coordinate with shipping companies and SLA rollover forwarders.

Monitoring and implementation of RGCE (Fifth Resolution)

It will be important to review with a specialized customs broker/legal team the changes to Annexes and processing forms (ATA, automated reports, guarantees). I am prioritizing requirement matrices by HS code and RRNA.

{{advice}}

📈 The key facts

Logistics — Spot Far East → USWC (~USD 1,650—1,700/FEU, Oct. 15)

The level puts downward pressure on forward contracts, but the volatility due to coupos/gray suggests keeping the spot/contract mix and free time windows prudent.

🔍 Interdabs Strategic Vision

The combination regulations (Fifth RGCE Resolution), Capacity (Panama Canal) and Prices (Trans-Pacific) requires integrated planning: indexed freight contracts, cycle buffers in Gold/roll and compliance matrices updated by RRNA And Rules in force. For chains nearshoring Mexico—North America, we suggest stress tests for Lead time And Cost-to-serve with scenarios of 10— 20% variation in rates and 2—5 days additional traffic on critical routes.

Tactical action: Prioritize Critical SKUs And Project uploads (machinery, oversize) with delivery windows realistic, early reservations and flexibility clauses. In Customs, align files and ATA with the new guidelines; document internal controls and keep a log of decisions for 2025—2026 audits.

Thank you for reading to us. If this newsletter helped you make better decisions, share it with your team: well-informed logistics yields better results.