Manufacturing in Mexico: Shelter Operations. An interview between Queretaro’s Aerocluster and Prodensa.

Foreign manufacturers have several options to pursue when setting up a manufacturing operation in Mexico.

The Shelter option is one of the smoothest, safest, and most competitive structures for manufacturing projects. It has been specifically preferred by many Aerospace Industry companies that decided to expand their manufacturing footprint into Mexico.

In collaboration with the Aerocluster of Queretaro, Prodensa prepared an interview with its Director, Mr. Antonio Gonzalez, and Prodensa’s Business Development experts, Carlos Loyola, and Ricardo Martinez. Prodensa focused the conversation on the fact that many Aerocluster members do have manufacturing operations in Mexico under a Shelter Operation. Seeking to add value to these companies, they discussed the Shelter modalities, compliance implications, and recent changes to Mexico’s Shelter Regulations. In this blog, there will also be highlghted the recent changes to the Shelter regulations in Mexico. Based on our experience, Prodensa shares its recommendations to sheltered Operations already established in Mexico.

The concept of Shelter in Mexico works for Cost-Center type of operations in Mexico. In this concept, the US parent company operates a manufacturing branch without having a wholly-owned entity, working under a Mexican third party’s umbrella.

Modalities of Shelter Operations

Shelter in Mexico has 2 modalities:

• Multitenant Shelters: Several operations of different Companies work under a single Mexican entity.
• Dedicated Shelters: Single Mexican entity is devoted exclusively to a particular Company.

The main difference between a Multitenant Shelter and a Dedicated Shelter is the way the entity sets up in Mexico. A Multitenant Shelter has multiple companies under a single Mexican entity acting as an “umbrella operation” to all of the companies. In the Multitenant Shelter format, the entity is already set up, representing the fastest option to start-up in Mexico. However, you will share the same entity among all of the companies under the “umbrella”.

This may put you at risk if one of these companies lacks compliance. Ultimately it will impact all companies linked to this entity. On the other hand, a Dedicated Shelter creates a new entity for each specific project to ensure that the compliance is in full control under a single structure.

Recent changes to the Shelter Regulations in Mexico

There have been many changes to the Income Tax Law about Shelter. In 2014, the term of Shelter Operations in Mexico was limited for a maximum period of four years. After those 4 years, the company could decide whether to continue in the Shelter operating structure paying Income Tax for 4 more years or move into a Wholly-owned Maquila structure.

However in 2020, another fiscal reform brought another change, mainly related to Fiscal rules and to Term:

Changes Regarding the Term

• There is currently no limit nor obligation to change structure after 4 years.
• And that Shelters that started before 2020 will have the previous fiscal and benefits up to 4 years.

Changes Regarding Fiscal Rules

• There is a Non deductibility of the full benefit package (47%-53%) creating a small taxable profit.
• New Shelter Operations will pay taxes as an own subsidiary (either through the APA or Safe Harbor.)
• And that by not being a related party, taxes paid in Mexico cannot be accredited abroad.

Recommendation for Shelter Operations already established in Mexico

One of the most common topics ignored when selecting a Shelter operator is to have a clear Exit Strategy, which will give your company certainty to continue operating after the shelter contract expires or any significant changes in the law this operational mode.

Taking into consideration the recent changes aforementioned, here are two suggestions for companies already operating in Mexico under a shelter mode:



1. Analyze your exit options for business continuity.

If interested in setting up a stand-alone (wholly-owned Maquila) operation, relocation, or any other alternative identified, it is important to perform proper due diligence on the resulting scenarios.