We are a Japanese exporter shipping used tires by the container. A 2025 decree made headlines as “Mexico bans used tire imports,” and that headline is not quite what the decree says — the distinction matters if you retread tires for a living.
Used tire imports into Mexico require a prior import permit (permiso previo) under HS 4012.20.01 / 4012.20.99, issued by the Ministry of Economy — and a specific permit category, “Modalidad C: used tires for retreading,” exists for exactly this purpose. A decree published 28 August 2025 removed used tires from Mexico’s temporary import programme (IMMEX) — the mechanism some importers used to bring tires in duty-free under the pretence of retreading and re-exporting, while actually selling domestically. That decree did not touch the standing Modalidad C route for a genuine, permanent import bound for retreading.
What Mexican retreaders actually need
Mexican industry reporting describes retreaders as needing more casings — the worn tire carcass that retreading uses as a base — than the current permit system readily supplies. That demand lines up with what we export: large truck, bus and OTR sizes are casing stock by definition. ANDELLAC, the national association of tire retreaders, is a starting point if you need to confirm current permit practice or industry standards on your end.
If your business is retreading rather than general resale, tell us at the enquiry stage — we can build a shipment to casing-grade specifications (sidewalls and bead intact, no structural damage) rather than road-ready grading.
The ocean route
We quote CIF to Manzanillo on Mexico’s Pacific coast, the more direct routing from Japan.
We load from thirteen Japanese ports — Ishikari, Tomakomai, Hachinohe, Akita, Sendai, Niigata, Kashiwazaki, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe and Moji. Which one we use depends on where the stock is collected, not on where you are.
We do not publish transit times, because they depend on the carrier and the routing on the day. Ask us when you enquire and we will give you the schedule we are actually being quoted.
What fits in a container
- Passenger car tires (PCR), 12–17 inch — about 3,500 pieces in a 40ft, loaded 2-in-1 or 3-in-1
- Truck and bus tires (TBR), 11R22.5 single size — 288 pieces in a 40ft
- Mixed PCR and light truck — roughly 2,200 PCR plus 500–550 LT pieces
Full size lists and grading are on the category pages: passenger car tires, truck & bus tires, light truck tires and casings for retreading.
Terms and payment
We quote CIF to your discharge port. Marine insurance is included on every shipment. Freight is normally prepaid in Japan; collect at your end can be arranged if that suits your bank better.
Most customers pay by T/T. For a yearly contract we also work with L/C at sight.
FAQ — importing used tires from Japan to Mexico
Did Mexico ban used tire imports in 2025?
Not entirely. The August 2025 decree removed used tires from the temporary import (IMMEX) programme, closing a route some importers used to sell domestically under a retreading pretence. The standing Modalidad C permit for genuine retreading-bound imports was not affected.
What is Modalidad C?
A specific import permit category from Mexico’s Ministry of Economy for used tires imported to be retreaded. It is the route relevant to a retreading business, distinct from the general resale imports the 2025 decree targeted.
Do you supply casings specifically for retreading?
Yes, on request. Our large truck, bus and OTR sizes are casing stock by nature. Tell us if you need casing-grade specifications rather than road-ready grading.
Which port do you ship to?
Manzanillo, on the Pacific coast.
What is the minimum order?
One 40ft container.
Request an offer for Mexico
Send us your discharge port, the sizes you want and the rough quantity. We reply with a CIF price and the loading schedule.
How the buying process works — from the first enquiry through inspection, loading and documents.
