Freight Shipping Guides
Practical guides and industry updates for shippers moving freight across North America. No jargon — just the information you need.
Canada–US Cross-Border Freight: The Complete Shipping Guide
Moving freight across the Canada–US border is not just a longer truck ride. It involves customs brokerage, CUSMA compliance, bonded carrier requirements, and documentation that most domestic shippers have never dealt with. This guide walks through the process from origin to delivery — what paperwork you need, which border crossings to use, and where shipments get stuck.
LTL vs FTL Freight: Which Shipping Mode Saves You Money?
Full truckload (FTL) or less-than-truckload (LTL)? The answer depends on shipment size, urgency, budget, and how much handling your freight can tolerate. This guide breaks down the real differences — with cost examples, weight thresholds, and practical advice for choosing the right mode.
US–Mexico Freight: Customs, Tariffs & Shipping Guide
Mexico is the United States' largest trading partner, with 85% of goods crossing the border by truck. The nearshoring boom has accelerated this — companies are moving production from Asia to Mexico to reduce supply chain risk and transit times. Whether you are shipping components south or importing finished goods north, this guide covers what you need to know about US–Mexico freight.
Multi-Modal Freight: When to Use Rail, Ocean, or Air
Most freight in North America moves by truck. But truck is not always the best option. Rail can cut long-haul costs by 30 to 50%. Ocean freight connects you to global markets. Air freight gets urgent shipments there overnight. The challenge is knowing when to use each mode — and how to manage the handoffs between them. That is what multi-modal logistics is really about.
Cross-Docking vs Warehousing: What Small Shippers Need to Know
Small and mid-size shippers often face a choice: do you store inventory in a warehouse, or move it through a cross-dock facility as fast as possible? The answer depends on your product, your customers, and your cash flow. This guide explains both options in practical terms — no jargon, just the information you need to decide.
2026 US Tariff Changes: What Freight Shippers Must Know
The US tariff landscape shifted dramatically in early 2026. On February 20, the Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The same day, the administration imposed a new 10% across-the-board tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act. For freight shippers, this creates both confusion and cost exposure. Here is what changed, what it means for your shipping costs, and what you can do about it.
Hormuz Crisis: How the Iran Conflict Is Disrupting Freight
On March 2, 2026, military operations in the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed the world's most important oil chokepoint. Tanker traffic through the strait dropped 70% within days. Oil prices surged past $126 per barrel. For freight shippers far from the Middle East, this might seem distant — but the effects are already hitting North American supply chains through diesel costs, container rates, and capacity disruptions.
New FMCSA CDL Rules 2026: 200K Drivers at Risk
On March 16, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enacted new rules that will remove an estimated 200,000 commercial driver's licenses from active status. Combined with stricter ELD enforcement and Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse changes, these rules are tightening truck capacity at a time when the freight market is already stressed. Here is what changed and what it means for your shipping costs.
USMCA Review July 2026: Cross-Border Freight at Stake
In July 2026, the United States, Canada, and Mexico will conduct the first mandatory review of USMCA — known as CUSMA in Canada and T-MEC in Mexico — the trade agreement that replaced NAFTA in 2020. This is not a routine renewal. The review can lead to renegotiation, modification, or even partial withdrawal. For freight shippers who move goods across North American borders, the outcome will directly affect tariff rates, rules of origin, and border operations.
Post-Storm Fern: Freight Rates Spike and Capacity Tightens
Winter Storm Fern swept through the Midwest and Northeast in late February 2026, and the freight market is still feeling the effects into mid-March. Rejection rates spiked, spot rates surged, and capacity remains tight on affected lanes. For shippers, this is a reminder that weather events in a tight freight market create outsized disruptions. Here is what happened and what to expect.