LATAM exports to the US: shorter lead times, lower costs

The United States remains the world’s largest import market, with total goods imports exceeding $3.2 trillion in 2023. For Latin American exporters, this represents a massive and accessible opportunity—geographic proximity, preferential trade agreements, and growing consumer demand for diversified supply chains make the US a natural destination. This page is for mid-market manufacturers, agribusiness leaders, and logistics executives in Latin America who want to navigate US customs, regulatory compliance, and buyer relationships with confidence. At Coppermont, we combine on-the-ground regional knowledge with deep US market expertise to help you scale exports efficiently and profitably.

Industries We Cover in This Direction

Our practice spans six core industries where Latin American exports to the US have demonstrated sustained growth. In agriculture and food processing, we work with producers of fresh fruits, frozen vegetables, coffee, cacao, and value-added goods such as specialty oils and snacks. The US imported over $45 billion in agricultural products from Latin America in 2022, with Mexico alone accounting for $31 billion. We help exporters navigate USDA and FDA requirements, including the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and country-of-origin labeling rules. For example, a Peruvian avocado cooperative we advised reduced customs hold times by 40% after restructuring its phytosanitary documentation.

In the manufacturing and industrial goods sector, we support companies producing automotive parts, electrical components, machinery, and medical devices. The US imported $87 billion in machinery and transport equipment from Latin America in 2023. We guide clients through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) classification, duty drawback programs, and compliance with the USMCA rules of origin. A Brazilian auto-parts manufacturer we worked with saved $1.2 million annually by reclassifying components under the USMCA preferential tariff treatment.

Our textiles and apparel practice focuses on cotton garments, synthetic fabrics, and home textiles. The US is the largest single-country market for Latin American apparel, with imports totaling $14.5 billion in 2023. We assist with the Berry Amendment for government contracts, labeling requirements from the Federal Trade Commission, and supply chain traceability standards increasingly demanded by US retailers.

In the chemicals and pharmaceuticals space, we advise on US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration, Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) compliance, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) licensing for controlled substances. Latin America exported $12 billion in chemicals to the US in 2022, including industrial chemicals, fertilizers, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Our technology and electronics practice covers semiconductors, consumer electronics, and telecommunications equipment. With the US CHIPS Act driving demand for non-Asian sourcing, Latin American electronics exports grew 18% year-over-year in 2023. We help companies comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for defense-related products, and export controls managed by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

Finally, we serve the renewable energy and environmental goods sector, including solar panels, wind turbine components, biofuels, and carbon credits. The US imported $6.8 billion in renewable energy equipment from Latin America in 2023, and that figure is expected to double by 2027. We guide clients through Department of Energy grants, tariff exclusions under Section 301, and certification under the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) standards.

Countries We Cover

Coppermont’s network spans 12 Latin American countries, each with distinct trade advantages and regulatory environments. Mexico is our largest corridor, representing 55% of Latin American exports to the US by value. We work extensively with Mexican manufacturers under the USMCA, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics sectors. Our team includes specialists in Mexican IMMEX (maquiladora) programs and certified export companies (Empresas Certificadas) that expedite CBP clearance.

In Central America, we cover Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. These countries benefit from CAFTA-DR, which eliminates tariffs on 80% of US-bound goods. We focus on textiles, coffee, fresh produce, and medical devices. For example, a Costa Rican medical device company we advised increased its US hospital contracts by 200% after we restructured its FDA 510(k) submission process.

In South America, we operate in Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador. Colombia and Peru have free trade agreements with the US, providing preferential access for agricultural goods, minerals, and manufactured products. Chile’s FTA covers virtually all trade, and we help Chilean wine, salmon, and copper exporters meet US labeling and safety standards. Brazil, the largest economy in the region, poses unique challenges due to its complex tax system and Mercosur tariff structure, but we have a dedicated Brazil desk that navigates these hurdles. Argentina’s agricultural exports—soy, corn, beef—benefit from our expertise in USDA import permits and sanitary protocols. Ecuador, despite not having an FTA, exports significant quantities of shrimp, bananas, and flowers, and we assist with the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program where applicable.

What a Typical Engagement Looks Like

A typical engagement begins with a diagnostic phase lasting two to four weeks. We conduct a comprehensive audit of your current export operations, including product classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), review of existing customs documentation, and assessment of supply chain readiness. We also evaluate your compliance with relevant US regulatory agencies—FDA, USDA, EPA, FCC, or CBP. This phase culminates in a written gap analysis and a prioritized action plan.

The implementation phase follows, lasting one to three months. We assign a dedicated engagement manager and a cross-functional team including a trade compliance specialist, a market access expert, and a logistics coordinator. Together, we execute the action plan: reclassifying products to minimize duties, setting up bonded warehousing or foreign trade zone (FTZ) strategies, submitting regulatory filings, and negotiating with US buyers or distributors. For example, we recently helped a Colombian flower exporter secure a $5 million annual contract with a US supermarket chain by aligning its packaging with USDA organic standards and arranging refrigerated container service from Bogotá to Miami.

Post-implementation, we offer ongoing monitoring and optimization. This includes quarterly compliance audits, tariff rate updates, and supply chain performance reviews. Clients on our retainer program receive monthly market intelligence reports, priority support for customs inquiries, and annual strategy sessions to identify new product lines or US regions for expansion. Typical retainer engagements run 12 to 24 months, with fees structured as a percentage of export value or a fixed monthly retainer depending on volume.

Why Coppermont for This Direction

Coppermont combines deep regional roots with US market fluency. Our team includes former US CBP officers, FDA compliance auditors, and trade attorneys who have worked on both sides of the border. We have offices in Mexico City, Bogotá, São Paulo, and Miami, allowing us to provide real-time support across time zones. Our clients range from family-owned agribusinesses to publicly traded manufacturers, and we have facilitated over $2.3 billion in US-bound exports since 2018.

Our proprietary TradePath™ platform tracks regulatory changes, tariff updates, and buyer preferences across 12 Latin American countries and 6 US industry sectors. This gives us an edge in anticipating shifts—for instance, we alerted clients to the 2023 USDA rule changes on imported avocados six weeks before implementation, saving an estimated $3 million in potential rejection costs across our portfolio. We also maintain direct relationships with US Customs brokers, freight forwarders, and trade finance providers, enabling end-to-end support from factory floor to US distribution center.

We understand that exporting to the US is not just about compliance—it’s about building lasting commercial relationships. Our team includes former procurement managers from US retailers and wholesalers who can help you position your product, negotiate terms, and meet the quality and delivery expectations of American buyers. Whether you are shipping fresh produce from Peru, auto parts from Mexico, or textiles from Guatemala, Coppermont provides the strategic guidance and operational execution to make your US export journey successful.

If you are ready to expand your US market presence or optimize your current export program, contact us today for a confidential consultation. Our team will assess your readiness and outline a tailored path to growth.