Ports

Shippers Turn to Transloading as Mexico Border Trucking Capacity Tightens

Rising freight volumes and shrinking trucking capacity at the US-Mexico border are prompting shippers to adopt transloading as a permanent logistics strategy. According to Uber Freight, this is shifting from an emergency solution into a structural network element. Cross-border truck volumes have climbed 5% year-over-year, with more than 70% of trade crossing by truck. However, US regulatory enforcement—including English language proficiency requirements and cabotage restrictions—has depleted the pool of B1 drivers by 25,000 between April 2025 and October 2026. The Laredo crossing, which processes 40% of US-Mexico commercial traffic and handles 17,000 to 21,000 daily truck crossings, has emerged as a critical chokepoint. Shippers experienced multiple incidents this year involving backlogs of 30 to 50 loads when capacity disappeared. Mexico's trucking association acknowledged the need to combat illegal cabotage but warned increased inspections and documentation requirements will further delay border operations.