C.H. Robinson Warns of Risks to Cross-Border Freight Capacity
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
- the logistics worldLa capacidad de carga transfronteriza vuelve a ser un riesgo para el comercio entre México y Estados Unidos
- Todo logistica NewsLas restricciones a conductores presionan la logística transfronteriza en Norteamérica
- Financial PortsUS-Mexico Border. 25,000 Visa Revocations Spark US-Mexico Border Freight Crisis
U.S. transportation company C.H. Robinson released its October 2026 update, describing a cross-border freight market between Mexico and the United States that remained relatively stable during September, but warning that the revocation of B-1 visas for Mexican truck drivers and temporary disruptions at certain crossings reduced usable capacity at some points, affecting the predictability of trade operations.
Fewer Eligible Drivers
According to estimates cited by the Camara Nacional del Autotransporte de Carga (CANACAR) and FreightWaves, roughly 25,000 Mexican truck drivers were affected by the revocation of B-1 visas. This visa allows certain activities linked to international transportation, but does not authorize cabotage—that is, moving freight between two points within the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a clarification on the cabotage rules applicable to these drivers, meaning companies must ensure their routes and freight assignments comply with current regulations.
Disrupted Crossings and Stranded Trucks
During September, temporary disruptions were recorded at Mexicali and San Luis Rio Colorado, linked to trucker protests over the visa revocations and the interpretation of cabotage rules. In addition, Mexico's Agencia Nacional de Aduanas (ANAM) restricted the crossing of empty trucks into Mexico via Eagle Pass and Brownsville, Texas, between September 9 and 14. During that period, daily commercial crossings fell from around 1,000 to between 300 and 400, while roughly 700 tractor-trailers were stranded on the U.S. side. Some carriers opted to reposition their units through Laredo, which lengthened routes and increased fuel consumption.
Rising Rates and Strain Across Crossings
According to data presented by Julie Van de Kamp during a FreightWaves SONAR broadcast on October 13, the shortage of eligible drivers pushed load rejection rates in El Paso to between 24% and 25% in early July, while San Diego/Otay Mesa reached 10% and Laredo hit 7%. Spot rates also surged: the San Diego-Phoenix lane rose 57% year-over-year, Laredo-Dallas climbed 43%, and El Paso-Dallas increased 28%. Nearly $2 billion worth of goods move through this corridor daily, and FreightWaves expects the strain to persist well into 2027.
Impact on Costs and Operations
Delays and the reduced availability of eligible drivers not only affect transit times but also cut the number of trips each unit can make, driving up logistics costs and potentially disrupting delivery appointments at warehouses and industrial plants. As a result, both C.H. Robinson and the analysts consulted note that comparing rates alone is not enough: companies must assess the total cost of service, including wait times, route changes, and potential non-compliance, in order to protect their supply chains.
