# Mexico Logistics Market Report — August 2026

> Asia–Mexico drives EAX to $6,415/FEU (+21.4% MoM), the WCI closes the month at $4,473 after a $4,526 peak, Manzanillo’s ITAP improves while August TEUs are still unpublished, and electronic MVE is locked for October 1. How August closed — and what you need to move now.

Source: https://www.freightspot.com/en/resources/market-update/agosto-2026 · Updated: 2026-08-31 · Edition: August 2026 · Data as of: 2026-08-31 · Publisher: FreightSpot

## Key takeaways

- Asia-Mexico **EAX closed August at $6,415/FEU (+21.4% MoM)** — the highest since June 2024. Early September spot was already talking ~$8,000; **book 3-4 weeks ahead**. Source: info-transportes / Eternity Group Mexico.
- Drewry **WCI rose ~5.1% MoM** (from $4,255 on Jul 30 to $4,473 on Aug 27), peaking Aug 20 at **$4,526 (+4% weekly)** before easing 1%. Shanghai-LA $6,818 and Shanghai-NY $9,333 at month-end. Transpac blanks: up to 10/week mid-month, then 4 by Aug 27. Panama Canal surcharges take effect in September.
- **Semar Jan-Jul (published in August):** national **5.66M TEU (+4%)**, Manzanillo **2.46M (+11.7%)**, Lazaro Cardenas **~1.58M (+6.7%)**. Full August TEUs **are not published yet**. On T21 ITAP, Manzanillo improved to **9:34:30** (from 12:50 in July); Lazaro 11:17; Veracruz/Altamira worsened. Demurrage costs remain high.
- Electronic **MVE becomes mandatory on October 1, 2026** (SAT/ANAM release 53-2026). On Aug 31 the **fourth advance version of the RGCE** was published. This is not an endless extension: the calendar is no longer moving in your favor.
- **Border and macro:** Uber Freight (Aug 24) flagged B-1 driver shortage in NL; Laredo outbound rejection fell from **12.24% to 6.93%**; CBP extends World Trade Bridge Saturday hours to **19:00 from Sep 5, 2026**. FIX moved from 17.2717 (Aug 4) to **17.0427 (Aug 28)** — stronger peso. Auto 25% / steel 50% remain on; Ebrard/AmCham talks in August under the tariff-pause context.

## Indicators

| Indicator | Value | Change | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Drewry WCI (global) | $4,473 | -1% | USD/FEU · Aug 27 · MoM ~+5.1% |
| EAX Asia-Mexico | $6,415 | +21.4% MoM | USD/FEU · Aug · highest since Jun 2024 |
| Manzanillo · TEUs | 2.46M | +11.7% | Jan-Jul 2026 · Semar |
| FIX exchange rate | $17.0427 |  | MXN/USD · Aug 28 · Banxico |

## Ocean

*The WCI rose on the month and Asia–Mexico lit up the EAX. If you don't have confirmed space for September–October, you're already late.*

| Indicator | Value | Change | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Drewry composite index | $4,473/FEU | −1% | week to Aug 27 |
| EAX Asia–Mexico | $6,415/FEU | +21.4% | August · Eternity / info-transportes |
| Shanghai → Los Angeles | $6,818/FEU |  | Aug 27 |
| Shanghai → New York | $9,333/FEU |  | Aug 27 |

August ocean freight climbed then eased slightly at month-end. **Drewry WCI: $4,297 (Aug 6, +1%) → $4,339 (Aug 13, +1%) → peak $4,526 (Aug 20, +4%) → $4,473 (Aug 27, −1%)**. Versus Jul 30 ($4,255) MoM is ~**+5.1%**.

As of Aug 27: Shanghai–LA $6,818/FEU and Shanghai–NY $9,333/FEU. **Transpac blanks: up to 10/week mid-month, 4 by Aug 27.** Panama Canal surcharges take effect in September.

What rules for Mexico: EAX Asia–Mexico (Eternity / info-transportes) closed August at **$6,415/FEU, +21.4% MoM** —highest since Jun 2024—. Early Sep spot ~**$8,000**. **Book 3–4 weeks ahead.**

## Mexican ports

*August TEUs are not out yet. We do have Semar Jan–Jul and an August ITAP that improves on the Pacific and worsens on the Gulf.*

| Indicator | Value | Change | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Manzanillo · TEUs | 2.46M | +11.7% | Jan–Jul · Semar |
| National · TEUs | 5.66M | +4% | Jan–Jul · Semar |
| Manzanillo ITAP | 9:34:30 | improved vs Jul | T21 · Aug |

Data calendar: **full August TEUs are not published yet**. Semar Jan–Jul (published in Aug): national **5.66M TEU (+4%)**; Manzanillo **2.46M (+11.7%)**; Lazaro **~1.58M (+6.7%)**.

T21 ITAP August: Manzanillo **9:34:30** (from 12:50 in Jul); Lazaro **11:17**; **Veracruz/Altamira worsened**. **Demurrage remains high**.

## Air

*TAC BAI00 almost flat four weeks, but +18.1% YoY. Jet fuel +8.2% MoM. No public Asia→MX TAC.*

| Indicator | Value | Change | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TAC BAI00 | +18.1% YoY | nearly flat 4 wks | through Aug 31 |
| Jet fuel | +8.2% MoM |  | August |

TAC BAI00 **almost flat for 4 weeks through Aug 31**, level **+18.1% YoY**. Jet fuel **+8.2% MoM**. **We will not invent an Asia→Mexico TAC**: quote with confirmed space.

## Trucking & cross-border

*B-1 shortage in NL, better Laredo outbound rejection, longer WTB Saturday hours from Sep 5.*

| Indicator | Value | Change | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Laredo outbound rejection | 6.93% | from 12.24% | Uber Freight · Aug 24 |
| WTB Saturday hours | until 19:00 | from Sep 5 | CBP |

Uber Freight (Aug 24): **B-1 driver shortage in Nuevo Leon**. Laredo outbound rejection **12.24% → 6.93%**. CBP: World Trade Bridge Saturdays until **19:00 from Sep 5, 2026**. Secure drayage before ETA.

## Customs & regulation

*Electronic MVE locked for Oct 1. Fourth advance RGCE on Aug 31.*

> **October 1, 2026 — MVE mandatory electronically only** (SAT/ANAM 53-2026). Without a folio, definitive import does not clear. Importer obligation. On Aug 31 the **fourth advance RGCE version** published. FreightSpot covered the extension Aug 1; you now have weeks, not months.

## Trade & macro

*Stronger peso at close. Tariff pause and Ebrard/AmCham did not erase 25% auto or 50% steel.*

| Indicator | Value | Change | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| FIX exchange rate | $17.0427 | from 17.2717 | Aug 28 · Banxico |
| Auto tariff | 25% | still on | pause context |
| Steel tariff | 50% | still on | pause context |

FIX **17.2717 (Aug 4) → 17.0427 (Aug 28)**: stronger peso. Tariff-pause context + Ebrard/AmCham talks; **auto 25% and steel 50% remain**. Recalculate landed cost with EAX $6,415 / spot ~$8,000.

## Coming up (already enacted)

- **October 1, 2026 — Value declaration: electronic only**: Electronic mandate takes effect (SAT/ANAM release 53-2026). Definitive import without a transmitted folio does not clear. (This deadline has slipped before. That it moved is no reason to wait for a fifth extension: the day it lands, it lands for everyone.)
- **September 2026 — Panama Canal surcharges**: Announced surcharges take effect. Quotes that transit the canal must carry them in the all-in from day one of the month.
- **September 5, 2026 — World Trade Bridge: Saturdays until 19:00**: CBP extends Saturday hours. Useful window for loads that today roll to Monday.
- **December 31, 2026 — Non-treaty tariff decree expires**: Transitory articles set that date as the end of elevated rates on non-treaty codes. Don't assume automatic renewal.

## What to do

- **Book Asia–Mexico 3–4 weeks ahead**: EAX at $6,415 (+21.4%) and September spot near $8,000. Space and CRD beat the last dollar of discount.
- **Transmit a test MVE before October**: Electronically mandatory Oct 1. Without a folio there is no definitive-import clearance. Extension 53-2026 has already been used.
- **Include demurrage and Panama in the all-in**: ITAP improved in Manzanillo but demurrage stays high; Panama Canal surcharges hit in September. Freight alone lies.
- **Secure B-1 / drayage capacity on NL–Laredo**: B-1 driver shortage reported Aug 24. Lock the truck before ETA — not on vessel day.
- **Recalculate landed cost with FIX 17.04 and August EAX**: A stronger peso helps in MXN, but does not offset +21.4% on Asia–Mexico. Update Q4 costings now.

## Sources

- [Drewry — World Container Index (weekly freight index)](https://www.drewry.co.uk/supply-chain-advisors/supply-chain-expertise/world-container-index-assessed-by-drewry)
- [info-transportes / Eternity Group México — EAX Asia–Mexico August 2026](https://www.info-transportes.com.mx/)
- [SICT / Semar — monthly Mexican port statistics (Jan–Jul 2026)](https://www.gob.mx/puertosymarinamercante/acciones-y-programas/estadistica-mensual-acumulada-de-los-puertos-de-mexico-2026)
- [T21 — August 2026 ITAP (Manzanillo, Lázaro, Veracruz, Altamira)](https://t21.com.mx/)
- [TAC Index — Baltic Airfreight Index (BAI00)](https://www.tacindex.com/)
- [Uber Freight — border market update (Aug 24, 2026)](https://www.uberfreight.com/)
- [CBP — Border Wait Times / World Trade Bridge hours](https://bwt.cbp.gov/)
- [SAT / ANAM — release 53-2026 (MVE extension)](https://www.gob.mx/sat)
- [Banxico — FIX exchange rate (series SF43718)](https://www.banxico.org.mx/tipcamb/main.do?page=tip&idioma=sp)
- [FreightSpot — New electronic value declaration extension 2026 (Aug 1)](https://www.freightspot.com/recursos/blog/nueva-prorroga-manifestacion-valor-electronica-2026)
- [FreightSpot — Blank sailings and ocean freight (Aug 8)](https://www.freightspot.com/recursos/blog/blank-sailings-fletes-maritimos)

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