Between the signing of the North American Fair Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in the mid-90s, a growing competitive manufacturing market in Mexico and the increasing costs of offshoring business to Pacific Rim countries, never before has there been more cross-border business and shipping between the U.S. and Mexico. Currently valued at $580 billion annually by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, total trade across North American borders, especially Mexico, is increasing. And, it opens plenty of doors for opportunity for organizations that know how to seamlessly ship freight across the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Demystifying the process is easy when you understand each step and what you can do to facilitate a smooth crossing.
Follow the freight northbound from Mexico to the U.S.
- Origin pickup: Shipment is picked up at origin and travels to the border terminal.
- Loading and Customs filing: Shipment is loaded in a trailer and dropped in the terminal yard awaiting customs entry.
- Border crossing: Once customs entry is filed, the drayage agent picks up the trailer and crosses the border.
- Terminal arrival: The drayage agent drops the trailer at a YRC Freight terminal.
- Destination delivery: Shipment travels through YRC Freight network to its destination.
Like trucks traveling southbound, those carrying freight from Mexico into the U.S. undergoes a primary, and sometimes, a secondary inspection. Once a truck is past the border, U.S. Customs officials perform a primary inspection to ensure the vehicle and driver meet all rules and regulations that are applicable to the truck and its freight.
“Trusted Carriers” move quicker through Customs
Carriers that participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program have priority status to move through Customs quicker than those who don’t and receive several other benefits.
Primary inspections, which could be conducted by a K-9 unit, include a search for contraband and drugs. Should the primary inspection require a closer look, trucks are subject to secondary process by U.S. Customs, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and/or other federal regulators.
Depending on the type of freight, large X-ray machines can be used to scan the truck’s contents. After inspection clearance, U.S. officials verify all documentation and inspect trucks for road worthiness. Once passed, drivers are cleared to deliver shipments to their final destinations.
Real-time tracking is updated every five minutes at the PRO level to eliminate any questions about where your freight is while it is south of the U.S. border.
Two years and counting without a single incident report
Every facility south of border is secured by fences and gates, cameras, employee background checks and canine units to help ensure drug-free shipments, no theft or hi-jacking and no contraband.
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about cross-border shipping.
Talk to a YRC Freight expert to take the mystery out of cross-border shipping between Mexico and the U.S.
For shipments that run northbound between Mexico and the U.S., YRC Freight’s Border Benefit involves faster crossings with fewer hassles. Plus, consolidation options on truckloads saves our customers on transport, customs and brokerage fees.
Between Border Coordinators who track your freight end to end and work with brokers for quick, efficient crossings and real-time tracking, single invoice convenience and a smooth process on both sides of the border, count on YRC Freight for a seamless supply chain. After all, with a little help from partners, we’ve been moving freight across the border for 30 years.
Talk to a YRC Freight expert for Mexico/U.S. cross-border shipping.
Our Spanish Service team is available to answer your questions by phone or via email.
- U.S. and Canada customers: 1-800-610-6525
- Mexico Customers: 001-800-790-3611 or Spanish.service@yrcfreight.com
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