PROSEC (Programas de Promoción Sectorial, Mexico’s Sectoral Promotion Programs) is a Ministry of Economy program that lets manufacturers import inputs, machinery and equipment at a preferential duty rate, as long as they use them to produce the goods of their sector. It is governed by the PROSEC Decree, published in the DOF on August 2, 2002.
How PROSEC works
The decree groups industries into sectors, such as electrical, electronics or automotive and auto parts, and lists for each one the tariff lines that can be imported at a preferential rate. There are two modalities: direct producer and indirect producer. Imported goods cannot be used for other purposes or sold to third parties without PROSEC, unless the IGI is paid with inflation adjustment and surcharges. The program also requires an annual report to the Ministry of Economy.
When PROSEC matters for imports from China
When you import Chinese components to manufacture in Mexico. With the 2026 duties on countries without a trade agreement in force, PROSEC can completely change the cost of an input. The decree was amended on April 23, 2026 for the electrical, electronics and automotive sectors, adding steel tariff lines. It is often used together with IMMEX and with Regla Octava, which widens the available tariff lines.
The common mistake
Thinking PROSEC works for resale. The benefit is tied to production: if the input ends up sold as is to a third party without a program, full duty is due with surcharges. Before applying, confirm with your customs broker that your product and tariff lines belong to your sector.
Manufacturing in Mexico with inputs from China? With OptiChina we coordinate the import with your program from origin.
Source: Decree establishing the Sectoral Promotion Programs (Decreto PROSEC), DOF Aug 2, 2002, as last amended DOF Apr 23, 2026. Current as of October 14, 2026.
