Sheinbaum proposal to eliminate cash payments at Mexican gas stations, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City, Mexico): Gas stations in Mexico could soon stop accepting cash under a proposal from President Claudia Sheinbaum. She said the goal is to strengthen oversight of fuel sales and combat illegal operations linked to the commercialization of gasoline.
During her morning press conference on November 9, the president explained that the federal government is working to expand the use of electronic payment methods. She clarified, however, that the intention is not to withdraw bills and coins from circulation or to require all businesses to abandon cash.
Gas stations are an exception within that proposal.
The objective is to gain more information about transactions tied to gasoline sales and reinforce market monitoring mechanisms. Sheinbaum said electronic payments could complement existing tax controls, particularly those related to the special tax on production and services (IEPS).
“That helps us, along with IEPS traceability, to end illegal fuel imports,” she explained.
The president also stressed the importance of tracking the product from its entry into the domestic market to its sale to the final consumer. The proposal aims to reduce room for operations that are difficult to trace.
However, no effective date, penalties for those who pay in cash, or specific provisions for service stations were announced during her remarks.
Although the government seeks to accelerate the adoption of digital payments, Sheinbaum distinguished between gas stations and other commercial establishments. “We are not going to say that cash payment is already prohibited in a store; that remains permanent,” she said.
Asked about the possibility that some sectors might pursue legal action against the measures, she clarified the scope of the proposal for service stations. “They would have no reason to seek an injunction.
Only in the case of gas stations do we want cash to be completely eliminated,” she said.
Toll booths would also gradually move toward digital payments. Unlike gas stations, the plan for toll booths involves a progressive transition accompanied by information for users.
Sheinbaum also cited the experience of the Mexico City Metro replacing paper tickets with cards, and a new Banco del Bienestar application that will allow direct payments and will be presented later.
The president insisted that expanding these tools does not amount to a general ban on cash. For gas stations, complete elimination remains the government’s intention, but no implementation timeline has been announced.
