They already apply gasoline discounts at the border

Fifteen days before the liberalization of the price of gasoline begins in the regional markets of Sonora and Baja California, businessmen in the sector have begun to apply the incentives, specifically in Mexicali, where consumers pay 52 cents less than the published price. daily by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) after applying the corresponding tax incentives.

Baja California companies maintain a dialogue with the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) promoting a negotiation that allows them to reduce the fiscal burden of gasoline in the state, in the understanding that there will no longer be price homologation between Mexico and United States.

According to the minutes generated by the meetings with federal officials, the businessmen have pointed out that in California the price has a tax burden of 20% on average, while in Mexico it is 42%, which makes it impossible to compete directly with sales in the United States and is even a barrier to competition with imports made by Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex).

The differential of 22 percentage points of tax burden prevents free competition in the region, warn gas station owners.

The businessmen presented an analysis in which even the sale of gasoline in Guatemala has lower taxes than in Mexico. According to their data, the tax burden of the Central American country is between 24 and 26 percent.

Another of the explanations that have been given to the SHCP, according to the minutes, is that in the current conditions of competition it is not possible to bring cheaper product than what Pemex sells in the two states, despite the fact that the results of the open season of storage will be announced.

The existing storage infrastructure is mostly occupied by Pemex (80%) and what is going to be delivered to the market will be minimal, the best purchases can be assured since there are no other tanks available in the area, according to the analysis of the businessmen .

Gasoline imports made by the private sector are unaffordable due to the level of taxes to be paid at the end of the day, with the current level of taxes you cannot bring gasoline of different brands, say the gas stations.

This Wednesday, Pemex Logística must announce the arrangements that will be reached with the companies that were prequalified to participate in its open season. According to the CRE there are at least 20 companies in this situation.

Source The Economist