Food and grain cross the border under more scrutiny than almost any other freight. The entry by itself is not enough: FDA, USDA, SENASICA and, on the Mexican side, the sanitary registrations all come into it. Eilan clears, crosses and stores food, grain and food-grade raw material through Laredo and Nuevo Laredo.
What We Move
- Bulk grain and oilseed: corn, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, beans
- Sugar, flour, starch and edible oils
- Processed groceries and packaged food for retail
- Food ingredients and additives
- Animal feed and raw material for animal consumption
- Refrigerated and frozen perishables
What the Government Checks Before It Crosses
Most delays on food are not about duty. They are about permits:
- FDA — Prior Notice before arrival, food facility registration, and, for imports into the United States, the FSVP foreign supplier verification program
- USDA / APHIS — phytosanitary certificate, import permits and pest requirements for grain and agricultural product
- SENASICA — animal and plant health certification on the Mexican side, plus registration in the corresponding sector registry
- Labeling — NOM-051 for packaged product sold in Mexico; FDA labeling for product entering the United States
- Classification and quotas — several grains and dairy products move under quota or tariff-rate quota; the right HTS heading decides the cost
Perishables: the Clock Is Running
With fresh and frozen product the problem is not the paperwork, it is the time. We coordinate the Prior Notice filing, the inspection at the crossing and the refrigerated transport so the load is not left waiting. See also our page on Perishables Logistics.
Warehousing, Consolidation and Repacking
Our Laredo warehouse lets you consolidate orders from several suppliers, split shipments for different customers, hold inventory close to the border, and build pallets for direct delivery to a distribution center. We also handle in-bond movements and bonded warehousing when deferring the duty payment makes sense.
One Team, From the Plant to the Distribution Center
The same team that classifies your product and files the permits coordinates the trucking and the warehousing. When FDA asks for additional information you are not chasing three different vendors: one person already has the file.
Related import guides
- How to import food products into Mexico
- How to import grain and seeds into Mexico
- How to import fresh fruits and vegetables into Mexico
Get a Quote on Your Actual Product
Tell us what product you move, from what origin and to what destination. We will confirm the classification, the permits required and the cost of the complete move before you ship. Call +1 (956) 717-4150 or write to operations@eilantrade.com.