Restrictions on Southern Border Exempt Trade
Tourism between the U.S. and Mexico is barred, beginning at 11:59 p.m. March 20, and continuing until April 20, but “this temporary alteration in land ports of entry operations should not interrupt legitimate trade between the two nations or disrupt critical supply chains that ensure food, fuel, medicine, and other critical materials reach individuals on both sides of the border,” the U.S. government said in a notice. Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade are specifically exempted from the restrictions.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
In addition, U.S. citizens and green card holders may come back to the U.S. from Mexico, and others may cross the border from Mexico to the U.S. to attend school, work and get medical care. Those traveling as diplomats or on official government travel may also enter from Mexico. The countries are restricting travel so as not to spread coronavirus from the U.S. to Mexico or vice versa.
Pretty much any cross-border movement related to international commerce will be allowed as usual, Armando Taboada, who oversees trade operations at the Laredo Field Office, said during a March 20 call with industry. Only tourism travel will be considered non-essential, another CBP official said. That means Mexican customs brokers or business owners overseeing operations, for example, would be allowed across the border, Taboada said. “If they are coming to work, they should not have an issue,” he said. CBP would have “a concern” with customs business being performed outside the U.S. by brokers who are working from home outside the country, he said.
The White House also issued a fact sheet about the southern and northern border closures. “CBP will continue to process cargo, as there has been no identified health threat related to cargo shipments,” the White House said. “Entry for trade and business travel will continue to operate with additional screening.”
(Federal Register 03/24/20)