From IMMEX to VMI: A Playbook for Faster, Leaner Supply Chains in Mexico



Nearshoring only pays off if inventory moves quickly and tax exposure stays tight. That’s exactly where IMMEX (to optimize duties/taxes) and VMI (to keep the right stock near your customer) work together. Use this 3–5 minute playbook to design a practical, low-friction model that starts delivering in weeks—not quarters.

IMMEX + VMI in plain English

  • IMMEX: A Mexican program that can optimize import taxes/duties for qualifying operations and flows when structured correctly.

  • VMI (Vendor-Managed Inventory): You (or your supplier) hold and manage stock close to the customer and replenish based on real usage/signals.

The combo: IMMEX reduces cost-to-land and compliance friction; VMI places the right items minutes from the line or DC—so OTIF rises while carrying cost and expedites fall.

👉 Learn more / start here: https://whlogistics.mx/IMMEX-and-VMI

Where the value shows up

  • Faster ramp-up: Inventory is physically in Mexico and system-visible before the plant or customer pulls it.

  • Lower total landed cost: IMMEX structure + shorter last mile = fewer expedites and chargebacks.

  • Higher service level: Line-side stock for Tier-1/Tier-2, or DC/eCommerce replenishment with stable cut-offs.

  • Controlled risk: Clear ownership/status in WMS, photo-QA, and audit trails keep compliance clean.

Complementary modules if needed:

60–90 day rollout (copy/paste timeline)

Days 0–15 — Design & eligibility

  • Confirm your IMMEX-eligible flows and documentation requirements.

  • Pick pilot SKUs (A-items, high velocity, high expedite risk).

  • Define VMI locations (Monterrey for cross-border speed; GDL/EdoMex for national reach).

  • Map ownership, Incoterms, triggers (min/max, days of cover), and billing.

Days 16–30 — Systems & visibility

  • Configure WMS for ASN receiving + barcode tracking, inventory statuses (Available/Hold/VMI), and customer portal access.

  • Set replenishment rules: min/max or forecast-driven reorder, review cadence (daily/weekly).

  • Align label templates (NOM/retail) and carton IDs to avoid dock holds.

Days 31–60 — Landing stock & go-live

  • Stage first VMI lots in the chosen hub (MTY/GDL/EdoMex).

  • Start milk-runs / Truck & Driver to the plant/DC on fixed windows.

  • Turn on alerts for low-stock, backorders, and aging lots.

Days 61–90 — Optimize

  • Refresh slotting by velocity; set postponement (late labeling/kitting) to reduce obsolescence.

  • Add reverse logistics loop (returns triage → restock in 24–48h).

  • Tune carrier mix by lane to protect cut-offs and cost per stop.

Inventory policy: simple rules that work

  • Days of cover: Start VMI with 30–45 days on A-items, 15–30 on B-items; C-items on cross-dock or make-to-order.

  • Reorder logic: Min/max with a weekly S&OP check beats ad-hoc emails.

  • Segmentation: Separate line-side criticals (Tier-1) from eCommerce/DC replenishment pools.

  • Quality gates: Photo-QA at receiving, and a small QA/rework cell to fix labels, packs, or inserts on the fly.

If retail or exports are involved, fold in:

KPIs that prove the model

  • Dock-to-Stock: < 24 hours (ASNs scanned, locations assigned, system-visible)

  • Fill Rate (A-items): ≥ 98.5%

  • OTIF: ≥ 96% by lane/customer

  • Expedite Rate: ↓ 40–60% vs. pre-VMI baseline

  • DIO (Days Inventory Outstanding): flat or ↓ with better availability

  • Cycle Count Accuracy: ≥ 99% on VMI lots

Daily dashboard = dock-to-stock, ATP, backorders, cut-offs met, and expedited shipments.

Common roadblocks (and how to avoid them)

  1. Confused ownership/status

    • Fix: Define ownership and status fields in WMS; align finance and ops on who holds what, where, and when it flips.

  2. Label/ticket mismatches

    • Fix: Standardize retail/NOM labels and verify in a photo-QA lane before outbound.

  3. Shadow IT (spreadsheets, email triggers)

    • Fix: Use API/EDI or a portal for orders, inventory, and tracking. No side files for core signals.

  4. Overstocking “just in case”

    • Fix: Start with A-items only and a strict review cadence. Expand once KPIs are green.

Playbooks by scenario

Automotive Tier-2 → Tier-1

  • VMI pool of critical components in MTY; Truck & Driver milk-runs to Tier-1.

  • Tight min/max and line-stop protection (buffer stock for 1–2 weeks).

Retail/DC replenishment

  • VMI near GDL/EdoMex with postponement (ticketing, promo packs) in warehouse.

  • Appointment-based FTL/LTL to DCs; cross-dock when possible.

eCommerce + Marketplaces

  • VMI in GDL for 24–48h delivery to major metros; wave/zone picking and returns triage within 24–48h.

Enable as needed:

Your 12-point checklist (printable)

  1. Confirm IMMEX scope and documents

  2. Select A-items for the pilot

  3. Choose VMI hub (MTY/GDL/EdoMex)

  4. Define min/max and days of cover

  5. Align ownership/Incoterms

  6. Configure WMS (statuses, portal, ASN)

  7. Standardize labels/carton IDs

  8. Book cross-dock/value-add cells

  9. Set carrier cut-offs and milk-runs

  10. Launch daily dashboard & standup

  11. Add reverse logistics flow

  12. Conduct 30/60/90 reviews and scale

Ready to move from theory to throughput?

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