Computer parts: a fast-growing Mexico-US trade the two sides count differently

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Mexico Trade Corridor · Product brief · HS 8473

Parts for computers and servers are among the fastest-growing Mexican exports to the United States. The two countries report very different values for the same trade, so this brief sets out the numbers from both sides, the rules in force, and where suppliers need working capital.

Published October 23, 2026 · Facts as of October 23, 2026 · 9 min read · Trade data: UN Comtrade, 2020 to 2025 · Rules as of October 23, 2026

Facts as of October 23, 2026. This page states the facts as they stood on that date. Tariffs, rules and figures may have changed since publication. Tariffs and trade policy change often, so we review these pages every month and update them.

#9

Mexico's No. 9 export to the US in 2025, ranked by value as reported by Mexico (UN Comtrade, 4-digit HS codes). The US figure is shown beside it because the two countries count the same trade differently.

US$8.3bnMexico's exports to the US, 2025, as reported by Mexico

US$3.7bnThe same flow, 2025, as reported by the US

+804.4%Change 2020 to 2025, Mexico data

US$1.0bnMexico's imports from the US in the same code, 2025, Mexico data

What is it?

HS 8473 covers parts and accessories for computers and other office machines. One line, parts for computers and servers (HS 8473.30), is 99.3% of the total. Mexico reported US$8.3 billion of these exports to the US in 2025 ¹.

Why does it matter?

Parts sit between chips and finished servers. HS 8473.30 is one of three codes named in the 2026 US Section 232 tariff on semiconductors ². The two countries' data differ widely for this code, so a lender or buyer cannot size it from one side alone ¹.

How does it work?

Parts and modules made in the US, Asia and elsewhere go to assembly plants in Mexico, where contract manufacturers build servers and computers ^5,6. Some parts are also shipped north as parts. Suppliers usually sell on credit terms.

In this brief

1. How big is the computer parts trade between Mexico and the US?
2. Which parts cross the border?
3. Who makes and buys the parts, and where?
4. How do the parts move?
5. Which rules and tariffs apply?
6. Where do parts suppliers need cash, and how is it financed?
7. What should computer parts traders watch next?

01How big is the computer parts trade between Mexico and the US?

Mexico reported US$8.3 billion of computer parts exports to the US in 2025. That is up 85.0% from US$4.5 billion in 2024, and up 804.4% from US$0.9 billion in 2020 ¹. Computer parts were 1.5% of Mexico's US$545.4 billion of reported exports to the US ¹.

The US reports a smaller northbound flow. For 2025, US data shows US$3.7 billion of computer parts imports from Mexico, up 106.1% from 2024 ¹. Mexico's export figure is 2.3 times the US import figure.

The southbound flow shows the widest gap. The US reported US$20.6 billion of computer parts exports to Mexico in 2025, up 56.2% from US$13.2 billion in 2024 ¹. Mexico reported US$1.0 billion of computer parts imports from the US in 2025 ¹. The US figure is 21.4 times Mexico's figure. That is the widest ratio of any product in this series ¹.

The gap has been large every year since 2020, when the US reported US$7.2 billion and Mexico US$0.3 billion ¹. No source we found explains it for this code. Our data gap explainer sets out how the two countries record trade in general.

Chart

Computer parts trade, both directions, both sides of the data

• Mexico to US, Mexico data
• Mexico to US, US data
• US to Mexico, Mexico data
• US to Mexico, US data

US$ billion. Solid lines: as reported by Mexico. Dashed lines: as reported by the US. Source: UN Comtrade, 2020 to 2025.

In 2025 the US reported US$20.6 billion of computer parts exports to Mexico. Mexico reported US$1.0 billion of imports from the US.

02Which parts cross the border?

Almost all of the trade sits in one line. Parts and accessories for computers and servers (HS 847330) were US$8.2 billion in 2025, or 99.3% of the total, as reported by Mexico ¹. US data puts the same line at US$3.6 billion ¹. Every other line was under US$0.1 billion.

The southbound mix is the same. HS 847330 was US$0.95 billion of Mexico's reported imports from the US, or 98.6% of the total. The US reported US$20.4 billion of exports to Mexico in the same line ¹.

The line covers items such as boards, accelerator baseboards, drives and power units, as general practice. In April 2025, an analyst mapping by Bernstein linked HS 8471.50, 8471.80 and 8473.30 to Nvidia's DGX and HGX server formats ⁴. Finished servers have their own brief: computers and servers.

Chart

The computer parts lines Mexico ships to the US

US$ billion and share of the 4-digit total, 2025, as reported by Mexico. Source: UN Comtrade.

03Who makes and buys the parts, and where?

The buyers in Mexico are mostly contract manufacturers that assemble servers and computers. INEGI data for the first quarter of 2026 show Chihuahua made 52% and Jalisco 27.4% of exports in the wider computing, communication and electronics branch ⁶. Plants in these states include Foxconn, Jabil, Flex, Pegatron, Inventec, Wistron, Wiwynn and Sanmina ^6,7.

Mexico adds little of the value in the finished machines. Banco Base estimates that imported components make up almost 95% of the value of Mexico's server exports ⁵. That makes parts suppliers, in the US and Asia, a large share of the chain.

We found no source that names the US suppliers or the US buyers for this code.

04How do the parts move?

Parts follow the same routes as servers, mostly by truck through Texas crossings, as general practice. Our guide to border crossings covers each port.

Plants that build for export usually bring parts in under Mexico's IMMEX program, which lets them import inputs temporarily without paying import duties, as general practice. Each customs service then records the movement under its own rules. The sale contract sets who pays for each leg and who clears customs, usually through an Incoterms rule. The Incoterms guide explains each one.

1. Parts madeBoards, baseboards, drives and power units are made in the US, Asia and elsewhere.
2. PaperworkThe supplier issues a commercial invoice. A customs broker files the Mexican import declaration, often under IMMEX.
3. Assembly in MexicoA contract manufacturer builds the parts into servers and computers, or ships some on as parts.
4. North by truckFinished machines and parts travel north, mostly through Texas crossings.
5. Two recordsEach customs service records the shipment under its own rules, so the two countries' totals differ.

05Which rules and tariffs apply?

The main US measure for this code is the Section 232 tariff on semiconductors. Since January 15, 2026 it sets 25% on a narrow list of advanced chips and the goods that contain them. It covers products entered under 8471.50, 8471.80 or 8473.30 that are, or contain, chips within set performance bands. Exemptions include chips for US data centers and several other uses ^2,3. Each part must be checked against the list.

The 10% Section 301 tariff on Mexican goods, in force since July 24, 2026, does not apply to goods entered with a USMCA claim or to goods under Section 232 ⁹. The former 25% IEEPA tariff on non-USMCA Mexican goods ended on February 24, 2026, after a Supreme Court ruling ⁸.

We did not retrieve the USMCA product-specific rule of origin for HS 8473. Check it before you make a USMCA claim. Our guide to USMCA rules of origin explains the certificate. All rates here are as of October 23, 2026.

Rules in force

As of October 23, 2026. Live list: corridor watch.

Measure	What it does	Since	Status
US Section 232, semiconductors	25% on a narrow list of advanced chips and goods containing them, including covered 8473.30 products. Exemptions include US data-center use 2,3	Jan 15, 2026	In force
US Section 301, forced labor	10% on Mexican goods. Exempt with a USMCA claim; goods under Section 232 excluded 9	Jul 24, 2026	In force
US IEEPA tariffs	Collection ended after the Supreme Court ruling of February 20, 2026. The former 25% on non-USMCA Mexican goods no longer applies 8	Feb 24, 2026	Ended
USMCA rule of origin, HS 8473	Product-specific rule not retrieved. Check the USMCA text before a claim	Jul 1, 2020	To be confirmed
Section 232, possible second phase	Would widen the semiconductor action to more derivative products. No proclamation found 12	Not set	Pending

06Where do parts suppliers need cash, and how is it financed?

A parts supplier pays for materials, production and freight before the assembler pays. Most of this trade runs on open account terms, where the buyer pays after delivery. Atradius reports that about 30% of business-to-business sales in Mexico are made on trade credit, and that large industrial firms give the longest terms ¹⁰.

Assemblers that stock boards and modules tie up cash in inventory. Duty is deferred for goods imported temporarily under IMMEX, as general practice, but parts entered outside the program can carry duty at the border.

Because the two countries' data differ so widely, a lender will rely on a supplier's own invoices and customs records, as general practice. Our guides to factoring in Mexico and what lenders ask Mexican companies for go further.

Where the cash goes

From parts order to payment

1. Order
   Materials and productionThe supplier buys materials and makes boards, drives or power units.
2. Shipment
   Freight and customsTrucking and the customs broker are paid. Duty may be deferred under IMMEX.
3. Assembly
   Parts in stockThe assembler holds the parts until they are built into machines.
4. Invoice
   Waiting for paymentThe buyer pays on its terms. Large industrial firms in Mexico give the longest terms ¹⁰.
5. Payment
   Cash returnsDeductions or disputes can cut or delay the payment. See deductions and chargebacks.

The order of cash needs is typical for a parts supplier. Actual days depend on each contract.

Before shipmentPre-shipment finance

Funds materials and production against a confirmed purchase order.

Parts in stockInventory finance

Funds boards and modules held at the plant, secured on the stock.

After invoiceFactoring or invoice discounting

The supplier sells or borrows against its unpaid invoices.

Buyer may not payTrade credit insurance

Covers most of an unpaid invoice if a covered buyer fails to pay.

07What should computer parts traders watch next?

A trade-law summary describes a possible second phase of Section 232 that would cover more chip-containing goods. No proclamation had been found as of October 23, 2026 ¹². USMCA stays in force. On July 1, 2026 the US did not agree to renew it in its current form, so the agreement now goes through annual joint reviews until 2036 unless the three countries confirm an extension ¹¹. The next annual UN Comtrade release will show whether the gap between the two countries' figures persists ¹. The live list of measures is on our corridor watch page.

• PendingAny second phase of Section 232 on semiconductors and derivative products. No proclamation found as of October 23, 2026 ¹².
• Next releaseUN Comtrade data for 2026, which will show whether the gap between US and Mexican figures persists ¹.
• AnnualUSMCA joint reviews, after the US did not agree on July 1, 2026 to renew the agreement in its current form ¹¹.
• Jul 1, 2036USMCA ends on this date unless the three countries confirm an extension ¹¹.

Questions traders ask

How much computer parts trade is there between Mexico and the US?

Mexico reported US$8.3 billion of computer parts exports to the US in 2025 and US$1.0 billion of imports from the US, under HS 8473. US data shows US$3.7 billion of imports from Mexico and US$20.6 billion of exports to Mexico.

What does HS 8473.30 cover?

HS 8473.30 covers parts and accessories for the computers and data-processing machines of heading 8471, such as servers and laptops. It is 99.3% of Mexico's computer parts exports to the US.

Why do US and Mexican figures for computer parts differ so much?

In 2025 the US reported US$20.6 billion of computer parts exports to Mexico, while Mexico reported US$1.0 billion of imports from the US. Northbound, Mexico's figure is 2.3 times the US figure. No source we found explains these gaps for this code.

Do computer parts from Mexico pay US tariffs?

Since January 15, 2026, a 25% Section 232 tariff applies to covered 8473.30 products that are, or contain, advanced chips within set performance bands, with exemptions that include US data-center use. Goods entered with a USMCA claim are exempt from the 10% Section 301 tariff. These rules are as of October 23, 2026.

How do computer parts suppliers in Mexico get paid?

Most sell on open account, so the buyer pays after delivery. About 30% of business-to-business sales in Mexico are made on credit. Suppliers bridge the wait with factoring, invoice discounting, inventory finance or bank loans.

Read next

• Corridor hubTwo sides of the same trade: why Mexico's and US data differ
• Corridor hubCorridor watch: tariffs and rules in force
• Corridor guideIMMEX: manufacturing in Mexico for export
• Corridor guideFactoring in Mexico: how exporters sell invoices for cash
• Product briefComputers and servers: Mexico's largest export to the US, led by AI racks
• Product briefPhones and network equipment: Mexico's routers and switches head north
• Ossiano Trade Finance GuideHow each trade finance instrument works
• GlossaryTrade finance terms in plain English

Supplying computer parts between Mexico and the US? Ossiano Capital works on trade finance in this corridor.

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Sources and notes

1. UN Comtrade, annual trade data 2020 to 2025, HS 8473, Mexico and the US as reporters. Downloaded October 2026; 2025 figures may be revised. https://comtradeplus.un.org/
2. EY Tax News 2026-0209, US Section 232 proclamation imposes 25 percent tariff on certain semiconductors, January 15, 2026. https://taxnews.ey.com/news/2026-0209-us-section-232-proclamation-imposes-25-percent-tariff-on-certain-semiconductors
3. The White House, Adjusting imports of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and their derivative products into the United States, January 14, 2026. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/01/adjusting-imports-of-semiconductors-semiconductor-manufacturing-equipment-and-their-derivative-products-into-the-united-states/
4. StreetInsider (Investing.com), Are Nvidia's AI datacenter products subject to tariffs? (Bernstein analysis), April 7, 2025. https://www.streetinsider.com/Investing/Are+Nvidia%27s+AI+datacenter+products+subject+to+tariffs/24607852.html
5. Mexico Business News, Mexico's AI hardware exports overtake vehicle shipments (Banco Base data), June 10, 2026. https://mexicobusiness.news/cloudanddata/news/mexicos-ai-hardware-exports-overtake-vehicle-shipments
6. Expansión, Chihuahua y Jalisco concentran exportaciones de tecnología e IA (INEGI data), August 5, 2026. https://expansion.mx/economia/2026/08/05/chihuahua-jalisco-concentran-exportaciones-tecnologia-ia
7. Expansión, México exporta tecnología para centros de datos, May 13, 2026. https://expansion.mx/tecnologia/2026/05/13/mexico-exporta-tecnologia-para-centros-de-datos-sector-crece-153
8. Tetakawi, Mexico tariffs 2026: what manufacturers actually need to know, updated October 5, 2026. https://tetakawi.com/blog/mexico-tariffs-2026-what-manufacturers-actually-need-to-know/
9. Congressional Research Service, U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations (IF11175), August 13, 2026. https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/2026-08-13_IF11175_366b72c3fd2f3ebe10b28bf3feddca0088251bbb.html
10. Atradius, B2B payment practices trends in Mexico, 2026. https://atradius.us/knowledge-and-research/reports/b2b-payment-practices-trends-in-mexico-2026
11. White & Case, USMCA 2026 joint review: United States declines to extend agreement, July 2, 2026. https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/usmca-2026-joint-review-united-states-declines-extend-agreement-triggering-annual
12. TariffLens, Section 232 semiconductor tariff guide (secondary source), May 27, 2026. https://www.tarifflens.ai/blog/section-232-semiconductor-tariff-july-2026-phase-2-guide

Trade values are US dollars from UN Comtrade at the 4-digit HS level unless a 6-digit line is named. Mexico and the US record the same shipments under different rules for value, country of origin and timing, so their figures differ. Percent changes compare 2025 with 2020. All facts on this page are as of October 23, 2026, the date of publication, and may have changed since. Rules and tariffs are as of October 23, 2026 and change often: check the corridor watch before you act.

About this brief. Prepared for Ossiano Capital. People planned, researched, wrote and checked this brief, using AI tools to help with research and checking. You are welcome to quote or reuse it: please credit Ossiano Capital and link to this page.