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Lázaro Cárdenas
Mexico
MXLZC
No Data
K+N Status
AIS limited in region
K+N24 Mar 2026
Updated 14m ago

Port Intelligence — What freight teams need to know

Mexico's primary Pacific coast deep-water port. Ongoing customs supervision at both APM and HPH terminals (Oct 2025) slowed import cargo release and dispatch, causing considerable congestion. Mexican customs authorities periodically intensify oversight here due to security concerns (drug trafficking routes).

No K+N update for this port yet

Weekly reports are loaded every Monday. Check back soon.

Customs Reality at Lázaro Cárdenas
5d
Published free time
3d
Effective free time

Mexican customs can be slow. Enhanced security oversight at Lázaro Cárdenas due to trafficking concerns. SENASICA for food/agriculture.

Demurrage: $25/TEU/day · Detention: $15/TEU/day

Common Rejection Reasons

  • SENASICA phytosanitary permits for food
  • Enhanced customs scrutiny — security-related holds
  • NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) certification for specified products

Known Holds

All imports
Periodic enhanced customs supervision affecting release times at both APM and HPH terminals.
Budget extra 2-3 days for customs release. Pre-clear documentation.
Cold Chain Reality at Lázaro Cárdenas
Mitigation:Pre-clear documentation. Budget extra days. Consider Manzanillo as alternative.
Failure point:Customs release — security-enhanced inspection
Significance:Moderate — serves Mexican avocado/produce export and food import market
Primary failure mode:Customs supervision delays. Import cargo release slowed by security-driven inspections.
Reefer plug availability:Adequate
Alternative Ports to Lázaro Cárdenas

If disruption makes Lázaro Cárdenas unviable for your cargo

ManzanilloMXZLO
+$30/TEU
200 nm away+0h wait
Works for: Same Pacific Mexico hinterland. 1.08-day waits Oct 2025.
Not for: When Manzanillo rail blockades occur (Oct 2025: La Barca blockade disrupted rail 8+ days).

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Live AIS Vessels

AIS coverage limited at this port. The free AIS tier has restricted coverage in some regions, particularly mainland China ports and parts of the Middle East.

Money Traps at Lázaro Cárdenas
Security-driven customs holds
Enhanced supervision can delay import release by days. Not predictable.
Cannot fully avoid. Budget contingency. Consider Manzanillo for time-sensitive cargo.
Seasonal Patterns
Jun-Nov (Hurricane)
Pacific hurricane season.
Monitor NHC.

Sources

Port status: Kuehne+Nagel Port Operational Update

Port intelligence: CargoPilot curated research

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