When to choose through-trailer vs. transloading?

First, let's start with some basic definitions:

Through-trailer happens when the load is transported in the same trailer for the entirety of the process, from the pick-up point to the final destination. However, this doesn't mean that your cargo is handled by only one driver. In fact, there are usually three drivers involved in the process: a Mexican driver, a border driver, and an American one.

Transloading is the process of transferring freight from one trailer to another during a border crossing. This process tends to involve four actors: a Mexican carrier, a drayage company, a transloading facility, and an American carrier.

When to choose one over the other?

Through-trailer is usually only recommended for fragile, sensitive material that should be handled with great care. The reason why it is not used more often is due to the low availability of carriers for this service, and considerably higher prices. Therefore, transloading has become the most common option for shippers. In this case, after your cargo arrives at the border, it will be moved from one box to another in a specialized warehouse. Transloading can ensure a lot more capacity and more competitive prices, however if your shipment is extremely time sensitive, you should keep in mind that it can take longer for goods to be transferred between trailers.

There are pros and cons to both transport options. Hopefully, now you have a little more context to decide which one works best for your business.

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Offshoring means outsourcing manufacturing to another country, while reshoring means bringing back manufacturing to the country of origin.
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What is nearshoring?
Nearshoring means outsourcing manufacturing to a nearby country or transferring manufacturing processes to a closer geographic location.
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How does CTPAT work?
When a company joins CTPAT, CBP makes an agreement to protect the supply chain, identify where security needs, and implements them.
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What’s the difference between freight forwarder, freight broker, and 3PL?
Freight forwarders move cargo from origin to destination, brokers connect shippers and carriers, and 3PLs also offer additional services.
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What documents are needed to export from Mexico to the US?
If you’re a business exporting from Mexico to the US, you will need the following documentation.
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Is Nuvocargo CTPAT certified?
Nuvocargo partners with a wide network of carriers with the highest quality and safety standards.
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What type of trucking equipment does Nuvocargo provide?
Nuvocargo offers the best capacity solutions for its customers.
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What are Nuvocargo's main routes?
Nuvocargo focuses on cross-border shipments between Mexico, USA and Canada crossing only through Laredo.
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How many trucks is Nuvocargo's fleet?
Nuvocargo works with a wide network of certified carriers.
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What industries does Nuvocargo focus on?
Nuvocargo is equipped to handle the needs of the majority of industries and has clients across a wide variety of sectors.
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What services can Nuvocargo provide for cross-border shipments?
For through-trailer cross-border shipments, Nuvocargo can provide services ranging from freight forwarding to insurance in US and Mexico.
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What's the difference between an LTL and an FTL?
LTL and FTL are modes of cargo transport, but as their name suggests there's a key difference between the two: quantity of goods shipped.
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Your cross-border shipping checklist
Not all shipments are the same, and depending on your specific needs, you might have to choose a particular carrier, truck type, unit, etc.
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Who are the main actors involved in a cross-border shipment?
It's important to know each actor involved in a cross-border operation and the role each one plays to ensure its success.
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