Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Cross-Border Freight Value Posts First Hike in More Than a Year

The total value of U.S. freight moved between Canada and Mexico during August posted its first year-over-year increase since December 2014, according to new Transportation Department figures.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
Read Evan's Posts
October 27, 2016
Cross-Border Freight Value Posts First Hike in More Than a Year

U.S.-NAFTA freight value percent change from previous year over the last 24 months. Graphic: U.S. DOT

2 min to read


U.S.-NAFTA freight value percent change from previous year over the last 24 months. Graphic: U.S. DOT

The total value of U.S. freight moved between Canada and Mexico during August posted its first year-over-year increase since December 2014, according to new Transportation Department figures.

The resulting 0.7% increase from August 2015 also came as just two transportation modes, truck and air, carried more cross-border freight by value.

Ad Loading...

The value of commodities moving by truck and air increased 3.4% and 4.9%, respectively, while the value of freight carried by rail fell 0.3%. Pipeline declined 4.5% and vessel dropped 12.5%. The overall value totaled $93.1 billion.

Trucks carried 65.3% of the freight moved with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico. Trucking accounted for $31.2 billion of the $49.7 billion of imports, or 62.8%, and $29.6 billion of the $43.4 billion of exports, 68.3%.

Rail remained the second largest mode by value, moving 15.3% of all U.S.-NAFTA freight.

Much of the earlier year-over-year declines were due to the dramatic drop in the price of crude oil compared to two years ago.

U.S.-Canada Freight Value Slips

From August 2015 to August 2016, air, rail, and truck carried a higher value of U.S.-Canada freight than a year earlier. However, the total value of U.S.-Canada freight fell to $47.3 billion, down 1.4% from a year earlier, due to decreases in the value of goods moved by vessel and pipeline.

Ad Loading...

The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Canada by all modes was vehicles and parts, of which $5.2 billion, or 55.1%, moved by truck and $4 billion, or 42.5%, moved by rail.

Trucks carried 59.6% of the value of the freight to and from Canada. Rail carried 16.5%, followed by pipeline, 9%; air, 4.7%; and vessel, 3.8%.

U.S.-Mexico Freight Value Increases

In August the value of U.S.-Mexico freight increased 3% from the same time a year ago to $45.8 as pipeline, truck and air carried a higher value of U.S.-Mexico freight than a year earlier.

Freight carried by pipeline increased by 45.1%, truck by 5.4% and air by 0.1%. Rail decreased 3.8% and vessel declined by 4.9%

The top commodity category transported between the U.S. and Mexico by all modes in August was electrical machinery, of which $7.4 billion, or 79.5%, moved by truck.

Ad Loading...

Trucks carried 71.2% of the value of freight to and from Mexico. Rail carried 14.1% followed by vessel, 7.8%; air, 2.8%; and pipeline, 1.1%.

More Fleet Management

2026 Mack Anthem rolls off the assembly line
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

Mack Financial Services Launches Physical Damage Insurance For All Makes

Mack Financial Services has introduced the Rolling Asset Program, offering physical damage insurance for all makes and models within a customer's fleet.

Read More →
Illustration of phishing email with trucks in background
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

New Phishing Scheme Targets Motor Carriers, FMCSA Warns

Beware of a new phishing scheme targeting motor carriers. Scammers are sending emails posing as FMCSA or DOT officials to steal data.

Read More →
Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →