The Carta Porte supplement — Mexico’s e-waybill — is an annex to the CFDI (the electronic invoice) that documents to the tax authority (SAT) any movement of goods within Mexico: what’s moving, from where, to where, in what vehicle, and who’s driving. If your imported cargo moves from the port to your warehouse, this applies to you — even if someone else contracts the trucking.
In 2026 the extensions ran out. The version-overlap and grace periods are behind us: the current version is 3.1, validations are stricter, and both the SAT and the National Guard check and fine on the highway. Electronic audits on correct usage have intensified.
Who has to issue it?
- If you’re the carrier (you provide the transport service): you issue a revenue CFDI with the Carta Porte supplement.
- If you move your own goods in your own vehicles: you issue a transfer CFDI with the Carta Porte supplement.
- If you hire a trucker: they issue the supplement, but you must verify it exists and is correct — the goods are yours, and so is the risk of the truck getting held.
It applies to moves by road (federal trucking), ocean, air and rail within Mexican territory.
The part that matters to the importer: the customs entry goes inside
When the goods being moved are imports, the supplement must include the number of the customs entry (pedimento) that proves their legal status in the country. It’s the link between your trade operation and the domestic move — and one of the most-checked data points.
What it requires (the fields that fail most)
- Origin and destination with precise locations — the SAT wants exact coordinates and zip codes; approximate addresses get rejected.
- Description and product code of the goods being moved, with weight in kilograms.
- Vehicle data: plates, vehicle configuration and the SICT permit where applicable.
- Driver data: tax ID (RFC) and license.
- Insurer and liability policy number.
- Hazmat declared where applicable, with its code.
What happens if it’s missing or wrong
- A fine for not issuing the CFDI with the supplement, or issuing it with errors.
- The truck held at a highway checkpoint until the move is substantiated.
- The goods can be presumed to be of illicit origin, with everything that drags along.
- The transport expense becomes non-deductible for tax purposes.
What to actually do
- If you hire trucking, ask for the CFDI with the supplement before the truck leaves — not after the trip.
- Verify the customs entry number is captured for import cargo.
- Confirm origin and destination match the actual route; last-minute changes mean correcting the CFDI.
- Keep the supplement in the operation’s file, next to the customs entry and the BL.
At FreightSpot, trucking comes with its Carta Porte done right from the start — not a document you have to chase. Quote your move and cross it off your list.