As the fourth quarter got underway, all eyes were on maritime gateways on the East and Gulf coasts of the United States because of the International Longshoremen’s Association strike. But cross-border freight moves by truck at the borders of Mexico and Canada continued without disruption during the all-important peak shipping season leading up to holiday shopping.
Computers and parts are the top truckload commodity at both the northern and southern borders for much of the year, particularly during peak season, when retailers throughout the United States are stocking laptops and accessories for holiday gift giving.
The amount of freight of all kinds crossing the borders has grown with the nearshoring movement, and the return of manufacturing operations to North America.
“As nearshoring efforts intensify, the number of trucks that cross the U.S.-Mexico border each day is expected to soar from the current total of nearly 35,000 in the coming years,” a March FreightWaves article said. “For shippers and logistics providers, this growth is upending expectations for service and visibility and requires a tailored approach.”
Challenges of Cross-Border Freight During Peak Season
“America’s land borders with Canada and Mexico are economically vital conduits for North American supply chains, with about $3 billion in daily cross-border trade,” the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) said. “Besides oil and energy products, automobiles, and electronics, Canada and Mexico are also America’s largest trade partners in agricultural goods.”
In 2023, the busiest U.S.-Canada trucking ports of entry were Detroit, Buffalo, New York, and Port Huron, Michigan. The top three commodities were computers and parts, vehicles and parts, and electrical machinery. The top 10 also included plastics, jewelry, and paper products. The busiest U.S.-Mexico ports of entry for trucks were Laredo and Ysleta in Texas and Otay Mesa in California. In addition to electronics, computers, and vehicles, the top 10 commodities included plastics, furniture, and fruits and vegetables.
While most of us won’t be gifted a brand-new car for Christmas, it is likely something crossing the U.S. borders during the peak season will be under our trees this year.
1. Managing Increased Freight Volumes and Capacity Constraints
There are 48 official U.S.-Mexico border crossings. To avoid the ports of entry with the highest levels of traffic congestion and wait times, logistics providers should monitor the real-time wait times. It’s also important to choose a border crossing with dedicated lanes and facilities for the efficient processing of commercial goods.
Shippers can also mitigate capacity constraints and ensure timely deliveries by partnering with logistics partners who have a roster of reliable carriers skilled in cross-border trucking.
2. Delays at Border Crossings and Customs Backlogs
Incomplete or inaccurate documentation can leave freight stuck at the border. Streamlining documentation and ensuring compliance with international regulations are essential to keep freight moving across U.S. borders.
Shippers also are advised to identify their capacity needs as soon as possible to avoid short lead times. In addition, shippers, carriers, and freight brokers should work together to understand and communicate specific transportation requirements to help ensure deliveries arrive on time.
3. Visibility and Communication Breakdowns
“When it comes to cross-border shipping, there is simply no such thing as too much communication,” Supply & Demand Chain Executive, a leading industry publication, said. “In addition to clearly communicating your priorities to your logistics provider, coordinating all the key players that will touch your shipment from pickup to delivery is essential.”
Supply & Demand Chain Executive stressed that visibility and communication are essential for efficient cross-border operations.
“Today’s logistics technology offers solutions that can keep your shipments on track. Onboard telematics can track your shipment from pickup to delivery, including through the cross-dock operations that frequently take place when crossing the border. When integrated with a transportation management system (TMS), shippers gain not only visibility but the ability to manage via exception and focus their energies on the shipments that need urgent attention. Improved shipment visibility can also facilitate supply chain optimization, security, and enhanced decision-making.”
How to Overcome Cross-Border Challenges in Peak Season
“Images of snaking lines of tractor-trailers” at the port of entry in Laredo show “it can be a choke point, not just because of volume, but because novice cross-border shippers don’t understand the complexity of the customs procedures,” a Logistics Management article said.
In other words, experience matters – not just during the peak season but every day.
Leverage Advanced Technology and Real-Time Tracking
It’s important to take advantage of logistics providers that offer real-time tracking and monitoring to manage increased freight volumes and capacity constraints. At RJ Logistics, our dedicated account managers also utilize advanced technology to provide solutions quickly to any cross-border shipping challenges.
Collaborative Planning with Logistics Providers
Logistics providers must offer flexible and comprehensive cross-border services to build long-term partnerships and collaboratively conduct long-range planning. That required flexibility includes the ability to offer multiple modes of transportation and customized solutions.
RJ Logistics’ cross-border team in Laredo, Texas, is highly skilled in customs compliance, insurance coverage, rules and regulations, and security considerations. We also assign dedicated account managers to enhance cross-border shipping efficiency.
Building Strategic Capacity with Trusted Cross-Border Freight Companies
Working with trustworthy carriers is critical, particularly with often high-value cross-border freight during the busy peak shipping season. At RJ Logistics, we thoroughly vet our carrier partners to ensure they are compliant with all regulations and take steps to safeguard freight. We also make sure carriers are certified through the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) and have access to Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes for efficient and secure cross-border movements.
RJ Logistics Expertly Handles Cross-Border Freight All Year Long
The RJ Logistics cross-border team provides:
- Bilingual communication and updates.
- Cross-border shipping expertise to ensure compliance with customs processes and international laws.
- Certifications and insurance coverage to guarantee the safety of shipments.
- Inbound services throughout North America.
- Door-to-door services as well as transloading options.
At RJ Logistics, our team works around the clock to keep shippers informed on the status of their freight. We require all of our partner carriers to be on MacroPoint, which gives us real-time visibility of all shipments and provides 24/7/365 updates from pickup to delivery.
No matter whether your freight is cross-border or domestic, temperature-controlled, or in need of expedited services, RJ Logistics provides simple solutions to complex problems with state-of-the-art technology, industry-favored customer service, and the drive for mutual success.
RJ Logistics has you covered. Schedule a call today.
