Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

U.S., Mexico to Announce Pre-Border Inspections for Mexican Trucks

Cargo on some Mexican trucks headed to the U.S. may soon be inspected by American officials before trucks get to the border, allowing the trucks to skip long lines at ports of entry

by Staff
November 19, 2012
U.S., Mexico to Announce Pre-Border Inspections for Mexican Trucks

Some Mexican cargo may soon be pre-cleared before it reaches the border. (Photo courtesy Mexico Trucker Online)

2 min to read


Cargo on some Mexican trucks headed to the U.S. may soon be inspected by American officials before trucks get to the border, allowing the trucks to skip long lines at ports of entry.



The Mexican Ambassador to the U.S., Arturo Sarukhan, told the NAFTA 20 conference in San Antonio last last week that the two countries are days away from unveiling the initiative, according to published reports.

The ambassador said there initially will be three inspection sites on the U.S.-Mexico border, and said U.S. Customs and Border Inspection officers will be in Mexican territory conducting the inspections, reports the Texas Tribune. However, he declined to pinpoint those locations. In addition, the start date for the program is uncertain.

Companies will have to apply and be vetted by both governments before they are approved.

It is my job to convince the Americans that this bilateral relationship with Mexico is the most important relationship it has on the face of the earth, said Sarukhan.

This new policy of in-country inspections will not have any immediate effect on the participants in the ongoing Cross Border Pilot Program with Mexico, since this pertains to cargo inspections and streamlines them at the point of loading and debarkation, according to Mexico Trucker Online.

The Cross Border Pilot Program, completing its first year, now has nine Mexican carriers participating. These nine carriers are operating 17 vehicles, 20 drivers and have made 221 successful crossings under the pilot program. Theyve been inspected, as required under the rules of the pilot program, 173 times with only minor issues arising.

More Equipment

Graphic with U.S. and Canadian flags over background illustration of an ink-stamp that says Tariffs.
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 24, 2026

What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking

Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.

Read More →
Kodiak Autonomous Truck
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 18, 2026

Autonomous Truck Testing Moves Ahead in California as Teamsters Challenge Rules

California has begun permitting heavy-duty autonomous truck testing, with Aurora and Kodiak among the first to receive approval, as the Teamsters sue the DMV over the new regulations.

Read More →
Heavy Duty Trucking Spotlight thumbnail showing new Mack trucks
Equipmentby Jack RobertsAugust 10, 2026

Behind the Wheel of the New Mack Anthem [Video]

HDT takes the new Mack Anthem around Mack’s Pennsylvania test track to see how its driver-focused design, technology, visibility and handling perform from behind the wheel.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Interior of truck manufacturing plant
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeAugust 6, 2026

DTNA Plans New U.S. Truck Plant as Manufacturing Footprint Shifts

Daimler Truck North America is evaluating sites for a new assembly plant expected to open in 2029 while winding down operations at its longtime Portland manufacturing facility.

Read More →
Great Dane aluminum flatbed trailer
Equipmentby StaffAugust 5, 2026

Great Dane Flatbed Trailer Offers Light Weight and Strength

Freedom Ultra is designed for a wide range of open-deck applications, including building materials, lumber, machinery, steel products, industrial freight, and coil hauling.

Read More →
Woman truck driver behind the wheel explaining features of the cab of Peterbilt Model 589
Equipmentby Wayne ParhamAugust 5, 2026

What It's Like Inside this Custom 2025 Peterbilt 589?

Take a driver's-eye tour of this customized 2025 Peterbilt 589 in this video, as longtime driver Ingrid Brown explains its features, compares it to previous models, and shares plenty of personality along the way.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail showing two Western Star trucks with the text "Behind the Experience: Western Star Star Nation"
Equipmentby Lauren FletcherAugust 3, 2026

Drivers Put Western Star Trucks to the Test at Star Nation Experience

Watch to get an inside look at the Western Star trucks, technology, and community behind the Star Nation Experience 2026!

Read More →
Khaki-colored autonomous Peterbilt truck hauling triple trailers loaded with frac sand for Atlas Energy Solutions in the Permian Basin.
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJuly 31, 2026

Atlas Expands Kodiak Driverless Truck Fleet in Permian Basin

Atlas Energy Solutions is expanding autonomous frac sand hauling in the Permian Basin with a second load-out location and plans for 100 driverless trucks by mid-2027.

Read More →
Equipmentby Jim ParkJuly 30, 2026

Putting Mack’s Command Steer to the Test

A test drive of Mack’s Command Steer active steering system evaluates how it can make truck driving easier and less tiring.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of Volvo VNL truck on highway with illustration of software over the air updates
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseJuly 27, 2026

Mack, Volvo Expand DEF Derate Software Updates

The updated software gives Mack and Volvo truck owners more time to address DEF-related issues before the engine derates or the vehicle goes into reduced-speed inducement, following new EPA guidance.

Read More →