Aluminum origin documentation for USMCA and Section 232
Since 2025, the origin of aluminum stopped being a customs checkbox and became a purchasing requirement. This page explains what Almexa documents, what the United States and USMCA ask for, and what you should demand from any supplier.
Almexa Aluminio melts, casts and rolls the metal at its plant in Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. Every lot ships with a mill test report recording chemistry and mechanical properties, and with the lot's origin documentation. For Section 232, the United States distinguishes two countries: where the primary metal was smelted and where it was cast. Almexa's casting and rolling take place in Mexico; the country of smelt is backed by the ingot producer's certificates and declared by the direct importer to the Mexican authority in the Automatic Aluminum Import Notice (AAA).
What changed in 2025 and 2026
| Measure | Effect on the buyer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US Section 232 tariff on aluminum of up to 50%, even under USMCA | Automakers and their suppliers must declare the country of smelt and cast of the metal | Why Loyalty, 2026 tariff guide; Metalmecánica, 2026 |
| Mexican tariff package on countries without a trade agreement, 5% to 50%, from January 1, 2026 | Importing sheet from Asia into Mexico costs more | Why Loyalty, 2026 tariff guide |
| Mexico's 2025 aluminum trade balance: US$10,571 million imported vs. US$2,709 million exported | Mexico consumes far more aluminum than it produces; demand is being met by imports | Clúster Industrial with INEGI data, September 17, 2026 |
What Almexa documents
- Mill test report per lot: alloy, chemistry, mechanical properties, temper.
- Plant statement that the product was cast and rolled at Almexa's plant in Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico, for your origin file.
- Lot traceability from casting to the delivered coil, sheet, circle or hot band.
- Quality system certificates (ISO 9001), with scope and validity.
How the country of smelt is documented
Almexa does not import primary ingot: it buys it already cleared through Mexican customs from local traders. The country where it was smelted is backed by the ingot producer's certificates and officially declared by the direct importer to the Mexican authority in the Automatic Aluminum Import Notice (AAA). Almexa melts that ingot together with recycled aluminum, then casts and rolls it in Cuautitlán Izcalli. If your US customer asks for the country of smelt, request it at quotation and we will tell you which documentation backs your lot.
What you should ask any aluminum supplier
- The country where the metal was smelted and cast, not just where it was slit or painted.
- The lot's mill test report, with alloy and temper.
- Who answers if the lot fails in your process, and how fast.
- Whether the price includes tariffs, ocean freight, handling and deposits.
Integrated process, from furnace to coil
An integrated mill controls the metal from the furnace. A service center buys coil, slits it and resells it; its origin is that of the mill that made it, which may be on another continent. When your customer asks where the aluminum comes from, the short answer is: from the mill. In Mexico, the integrated flat-rolled mill is Almexa.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prove the country of smelt and cast of aluminum for US customs?
With two kinds of documents. The country of cast and rolling is backed by the mill: the lot's mill test report and Almexa's plant statement. The country of smelt is backed by the ingot producer's certificates and declared by the direct importer in Mexico's Automatic Aluminum Import Notice (AAA). Ask for it at quotation; your customs broker files the US declaration.
Does Almexa aluminum pay tariffs entering the United States?
Section 232 is applied by US customs according to product and origin. Almexa's documentation shows where the metal was cast and rolled; the exact application to your finished product is determined by your customs broker.
What is an aluminum mill test report?
A per-lot document recording the alloy, the chemistry measured at the plant and the mechanical properties of the material, signed by the mill's quality control.