Mexico analyzing more measures to crack down on low-cost shipments, official says

Adds details, context throughout

By Kylie Madry

MEXICO CITY, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Mexico is weighing further trade measures to crack down on low-cost shipments into the country, an official said on Thursday, after slapping tariffs on so-called "de minimis" purchases largely coming from China.

"There is a political objective, which is cracking down on contraband," Deputy Economy Minister Vidal Llerenas said on a panel at the FinTech Mexico Festival. "That's why measures have already been taken and more are being analyzed."

Mexico's economy ministry in recent months has launched an offensive against cheap goods mostly from China, including counterfeit products, which had entered under previous low-cost exemptions. In January, Mexico began taxing many such imports .

Analysts called the move a bid to cut down shipments from e-commerce retailers such as Shein and Temu, some of which stop in Mexico before being sent to the U.S. U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Mexico of being a backdoor for such goods, which Mexican officials have long denied.

Llerenas acknowledged U.S. concerns on Thursday, saying the previous shipments of low-cost goods seemed to be abusing the system to avoid paying taxes.

"The U.S. has wanted to be very aggressive regarding this topic," Llerenas said, noting pressure from the administrations of Trump and former U.S. President Joe Biden.

"It's something we're going to have to take a hard look at, so e-commerce benefits the consumer but without it opening the door to untaxed merchandise," he added.