Mexico Security Screening Market Overview,2030

Mexico’s security screening framework has evolved rapidly over the past decade, driven by growing trade volumes, cross-border movement, and heightened national security priorities. Security screening in the country involves the use of non-intrusive inspection systems, biometric verification, and automated detection tools to safeguard airports, customs checkpoints, and major industrial zones. The modernization of screening began under the National Security Strategy implemented by the Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana, emphasizing integrated surveillance and inspection systems at critical transport and energy hubs. Mexico City International Airport and Felipe Ángeles International Airport have adopted advanced computed tomography and millimeter-wave imaging systems for baggage and passenger screening, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing manual inspections. Border security has become a cornerstone of the screening infrastructure, particularly along the U.S.- Mexico border, where customs facilities at Tijuana, Laredo, and Ciudad Juárez employ high-energy X-ray scanners and gamma-ray portals to detect narcotics and concealed weapons. The role of data analytics and cloud-based monitoring has expanded under the Aduanas Inteligentes initiative, allowing real-time tracking of cargo and inspection outcomes across national logistics networks. The introduction of biometric passport verification by the Instituto Nacional de Migración has improved traveler authentication at airports and seaports. Within industrial zones like Monterrey and Veracruz, IoT-based systems are used to monitor vehicle and freight movement, while portable scanners support law enforcement operations against smuggling. These advancements reflect Mexico’s commitment to aligning its inspection infrastructure with international aviation and trade security standards such as those of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Customs Organization. Sustainability initiatives in the sector are promoting energy-efficient screening systems and recyclable materials, positioning Mexico as a regional leader in balancing advanced security technology with responsible operational practices.

According to the research report, ""Mexico Security Screening Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Mexico Security Screening market is anticipated to add to more than USD 100 Million by 2025–30.The security screening market in Mexico is advancing through technological modernization, strategic partnerships, and rising investments in transport, energy, and logistics protection. Companies such as Nuctech, Rapiscan Systems, Leidos, and Smiths Detection are key suppliers to the country’s airports, customs terminals, and industrial complexes, providing baggage scanners, cargo inspection portals, and explosive detection systems. The General Administration of Customs under the Servicio de Administración Tributaria has collaborated with Nuctech to deploy large-scale non-intrusive inspection systems at the Port of Manzanillo and the Nuevo Laredo cargo terminal, enhancing container scanning and narcotics detection. In aviation, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico introduced new computed tomography scanning systems from Smiths Detection to streamline security at Guadalajara and Los Cabos airports. Defense installations operated by the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional use portable radiation detection and trace explosive analyzers from Mirion Technologies and Bruker for site protection and hazardous material monitoring. The energy sector, including PEMEX refineries and offshore terminals, integrates screening systems to prevent unauthorized access and safeguard operations. Collaboration with international partners such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security supports the implementation of Smart Border technology projects that combine biometric identity management and automated data exchange between customs authorities. Private security contractors including G4S México and Prosegur handle screening operations in commercial complexes and public venues using AI-based, contactless entry solutions. Maintenance and calibration services are carried out through partnerships with Mexican technology integrators based in Querétaro and Monterrey, ensuring system reliability and compliance with national standards. Research projects at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México are developing low-power imaging sensors and AI algorithms for behavioral threat detection.

In Mexico the security screening framework integrates baggage and cargo screening, personnel screening, and vehicle inspection as key pillars of the country’s transportation and border security system. Baggage and cargo screening at airports such as Mexico City International, Cancún International, and Monterrey International is managed through a combination of federal oversight by the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil and airport security concessionaires that deploy X-ray scanners and explosive detection systems to inspect all checked and carry-on luggage. Air cargo screening in Mexico is regulated under international aviation security standards with customs officials and private freight operators cooperating to inspect shipments before air transport to prevent smuggling of narcotics, weapons, or undeclared goods. Seaports such as Veracruz and Manzanillo have also implemented container screening programs supported by the Administración del Sistema Portuario Nacional to prevent the trafficking of illegal substances and protect legitimate trade. Personnel screening forms a central layer of Mexico’s security network, with airport checkpoints using walk-through metal detectors, full-body scanners, and identity verification to ensure passengers and airport employees comply with safety regulations. Security officers employed by airport operators and the National Guard oversee screening of travelers and crew before access to sterile zones. Vehicle screening is increasingly deployed at strategic points such as the U.S.–Mexico border crossings of Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Nuevo Laredo where large-scale non-intrusive inspection systems and under-vehicle scanners are operated by customs and security agencies to detect concealed goods, weapons, or illegal migrants. These technologies are also installed at major industrial complexes, refineries, and government facilities where vehicle access is restricted to prevent sabotage or unauthorized entry. Collectively these screening types reinforce Mexico’s commitment to maintaining secure transport and trade operations across its airports, ports, and land borders while aligning with international civil aviation and customs safety protocols.

Security screening in Mexico incorporates multiple detection technologies designed to counter smuggling, terrorism, and illicit trade across air, land, and maritime domains. X-ray imaging remains the most widely deployed detection method across airports, seaports, and customs checkpoints where baggage, parcels, and cargo containers are scanned to reveal concealed items. At Mexico City International Airport, X-ray scanners supplied by both local and international manufacturers examine passenger baggage in real time while customs inspection areas at Veracruz and Lázaro Cárdenas ports employ large-scale X-ray gantries to screen shipping containers. Computed tomography systems have begun to complement traditional X-ray in major Mexican airports providing high-resolution three-dimensional imaging to enhance detection of explosives and contraband within complex luggage shapes, particularly in new terminals such as those in Cancún and Guadalajara. Neutron sensing and detection systems are used selectively in industrial and customs operations, particularly at energy infrastructure sites and border crossings, to identify hidden materials that do not respond to X-ray imaging such as explosives or narcotics. Terahertz and millimeter-wave imaging systems are used in Mexico’s larger airports and federal facilities for non-invasive personnel screening to detect concealed weapons or prohibited items beneath clothing without direct physical contact. Other detection technologies support a wider network of security functions that include explosives trace detection for chemical residue analysis, radiation monitoring at border points for identifying illicit radioactive materials, and spectrometry-based sensors in mail and parcel facilities to detect organic compounds or narcotics. Integration of these detection technologies into national and regional infrastructure allows Mexico to strengthen its multi-layered defense system by combining imaging, chemical sensing, and radiation detection to safeguard trade routes, public transport, and critical facilities against multiple threat categories while maintaining compliance with international aviation and customs security standards.

Mexico’s security screening infrastructure relies on diverse equipment that enhances safety at airports, ports, public buildings, and border crossings. Walk-through metal detectors are standard at all major passenger terminals and administrative facilities, providing the first layer of screening for travelers and staff. These detectors are installed at airports such as Mexico City, Tijuana, and Guadalajara where thousands of passengers pass through checkpoints daily under the supervision of trained security officers. Hand-held metal detectors support manual inspections during secondary screening or at government buildings and entertainment venues where additional verification is required. Full-body scanners that use millimeter-wave imaging are installed at major airports to detect non-metallic items or liquid explosives without physical searches, and they are also utilized at correctional facilities and courthouses to maintain secure access control. Explosives trace detection systems are employed in baggage handling zones and customs warehouses to sample surfaces for trace chemical residues of explosives, playing a vital role in detecting substances that cannot be identified visually or through imaging alone. Radiation detection equipment, including handheld devices and fixed portal monitors, is positioned at strategic land borders such as Ciudad Juárez and Nuevo Laredo as well as in seaports like Manzanillo to prevent the transport of illicit radioactive materials. Portable and mobile screening units extend Mexico’s operational flexibility in rural or temporary settings such as military bases, remote inspection points, or large public gatherings, offering rapid deployment through vehicle-mounted X-ray and handheld sensor platforms. These various types of equipment provide Mexico with layered defense capabilities that secure the flow of passengers, goods, and vehicles while supporting emergency response and counter-smuggling operations in both urban and border regions where risk levels are high and constant surveillance is essential for public safety and infrastructure protection.

In Mexico security screening applications encompass mail and parcel control, baggage scanning, cargo and vehicle inspection, people screening, and explosives and narcotics detection integrated into both civilian and federal security systems. Mail and parcel screening is conducted in postal distribution centers, embassy mailrooms, and logistics facilities where X-ray imaging and chemical detection methods are used to identify explosive materials, suspicious powders, or narcotics hidden within sealed packages before distribution. Baggage scanning is a core component of aviation safety in Mexico where all carry-on and checked baggage is subjected to multi-layer inspection using X-ray, computed tomography, and explosive trace detection systems managed by the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil. Cargo and vehicle inspection represents one of the most important applications due to Mexico’s extensive land and maritime trade network. Border facilities at Laredo, Nogales, and Reynosa employ non-intrusive inspection systems to scan trucks and railcars for hidden goods or smuggled narcotics, while seaports such as Veracruz and Altamira use container scanners and radiation monitors to ensure safe import and export operations. People screening takes place not only at airports but also in government buildings, power plants, and major sporting or cultural venues where metal detectors, handheld scanners, and body imaging systems are used to detect weapons and explosives. Explosives and narcotics detection programs involve coordination between the National Guard, customs agencies, and specialized canine units that operate at airports, border crossings, and transport hubs to identify illegal drugs or explosive devices. These applications reinforce Mexico’s layered approach to homeland security, combining federal enforcement, advanced detection equipment, and operational intelligence to monitor high-risk areas while maintaining efficiency in passenger movement and trade logistics across the nation’s growing transportation and infrastructure network.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Securtiy Screening Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type
• Baggage and Cargo Screening
• Personnel Screening
• Vehicle Screening

By Detection Technology
• X-ray
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Neutron Sensing and Detection
• Terahertz and Millimeter-wave
• Other Detection Technologies

By Equipment Type
• Walk-through Metal Detectors
• Hand-held Metal Detectors
• Full-body Scanners
• Explosives Trace Detection Systems
• Radiation Detection Equipment
• Portable / Mobile Screening Units

By Application
• Mail and Parcel
• Baggage Scanning
• Cargo and Vehicle Inspection
• People Screening
• Explosives and Narcotics Detection Show more