US authorities have intensified enforcement of cabotage rules on Mexican cross-border truck drivers, with some visas revoked over alleged violations at previous employers, a development expected to tighten truck capacity between the US and Mexico.
What Happened
Knight-Swift Transportation CEO Adam Miller said at an industry event that US scrutiny of Mexican drivers has ramped up, including reviews of potential cabotage violations tied to their prior carriers. He noted cases where drivers lost visas for alleged violations not involving his company's trucks.
Cabotage generally refers to domestic transport between two points within a country by a foreign carrier, which is restricted under US law. Miller said tighter enforcement could discourage some Mexican drivers from entering the US, further tightening cross-border capacity.
Separately, Mexico's Nuevo León state announced a 50% cut in state tolls for commercial trucks heading to the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge, aimed at lowering costs and boosting exports to the US. The discount applies to an additional state fee introduced in April 2025 about 500 meters before the existing tollbooth on the Mexican side and does not affect tolls collected by Laredo, Texas.
Background
US-Mexico cross-border trucking is a key link in nearshoring supply chains, especially for automotive goods. Rising tariff and trade policy uncertainty has already prompted some shippers to adjust strategies, and tighter enforcement adds further uncertainty to capacity supply.
Impact on Shippers
For Chinese exporters moving goods via Mexico or relying on cross-border trucking, reduced driver availability could raise land transport costs and lengthen border wait times. On customs clearance, stricter carrier compliance reviews mean shippers should verify carrier qualifications and documentation more carefully to avoid cargo delays tied to a carrier's violation history.
Recommendations
Shippers should confirm cross-border driver qualifications and compliance records with carriers in advance, allow more time for border crossings, and monitor toll changes at alternative gateways such as the Colombia Bridge to optimize routing costs, while planning inventory and transport schedules amid tariff uncertainty.