Cross-Border Shipping

When shipping general cargo, such as retail products, the documentation required to move receive an Entry Clearance for freight shipment to and from Mexico is a Commercial Invoice, Packing list, Bill of Lading and Certificate of Origin.

Certain specialty commodities, such as agricultural products and electronics, might require special permitting from various departments. For example, when shipping product the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reviews your documentation and determine if special permits are required for the shipment to enter the U.S.

For shippers who do not have a Customs Broker supporting their supply chain, Trailer Bridge can provide that service by connecting them to the appropriate Customs Broker to advise on the required documentation needed for their specific cargo.

Shippers working with Trailer Bridge to move their cross-border freight enjoy a team of personnel well-versed in the intricacies of this mode of transportation. The team works closely with the customers throughout the life of the shipment to provide clear and consistent communication, offering access to 20 years of industry knowledge to support their supply chain. Partner with Trailer Bridge also offers access to the company’s wide network of partners such as warehousing solutions, Customs Brokers, carrier partners, etc.

Trailer Bridge has a diverse portfolio and can support the transportation needs for variety of shippers. Commodities we ship most often include retail, consumer packaged goods, food products, construction materials, chemical and automotive parts.

Small to medium size shippers who do not have an in-house transportation team, or a small team can truly benefit from partnering with Trailer Bridge and leveraging our expertise, partnerships, and resources.

The process of scheduling a cross-border shipment with Trailer Bridge begins with the quotation process. A shipper interested in partnering with Trailer Bridge should reach out to the team at Mexico@TrailerBridge.com to request a quote including the following information: origin and destination info, commodity information, pallet count and weight. The team will then provide a rate quote for review and approval.  

Upon approval and acceptance of the rate, TB’s Mexico team can start gathering additional relevant information such as Customs Broker information to begin the shipment process.

Yes, Trailer Bridge provides tracking and visibility for cross-border shipments. For direct trailer moves, the shipper will receive a link with live updates throughout the truck’s transit. For transload shipments, when the U.S. driver is assigned the team begins tracking and tracing through our tech provider, Macro Point.

The team will provide consistent communication throughout the life of the load using the shipper’s preferred form of communication: Email, WhatsApp, Phone Calls, etc.  

There are various factors that impact the cost of cross-border shipping. To start, deciding on the mode of transportation, over-the-road trucking, or intermodal, utilizing rail within the transit. If choosing over-the-road, deciding if you will use direct-trailer or a transload option will impact cost. Transloading can offer a more competitive price for shippers. Another factor impacting cross-border rates is the distance of the shipment, including where it will cross the border.  Last, there are commodity-based factors that impact pricing such as hazardous cargo that require special handling or special permits in the Customs clearance process.

The Trailer Bridge team works closely with the shipper to determine the best transportation option for their shipment. The team often begins by asking where the cargo is crossing so they can advise appropriate options.  

To request a quote from Trailer Bridge for cross-border shipping, you can reach out to Mexico@TrailerBridge.com or connect directly with our Director of Mexico Sales, Roberto Trevino, at RTrevino@TrailerBridge.com.