Transborder freight between the U.S. and North American countries (Canada and Mexico) in November 2021:

  • Total transborder freight: $120.1 billion of transborder freight moved by all modes of transportation, an increase of 25.2% from $95.9 billion in November 2020.
  • November 2021 transborder freight value increased 21.3% from $99.0 billion in pre-pandemic November 2019.
  • Freight between the U.S. and Canada totaled $61.4B, up 31.4% from November 2020. Freight between the U.S. and Mexico totaled $58.7B, up 19.4% from November 2020.
  • Trucks moved $73.5 billion of freight, up 17.1% compared to November 2020.
  • Railways moved $16.4 billion of freight, up 18.1% compared to November 2020.

Transborder Freight by Border and Mode:

U.S.-Canada (both directions)

(Dollars in Billions)

Truck:             $32.9

Pipeline:          $9.3

Rail:                $8.9

Vessel:            $3.5

Air:                  $2.9

U.S.-Mexico (both directions)

(Dollars in Billions)

Truck:             $40.5

Rail:                $7.5

Vessel:            $6.2

Air:                  $1.7

Pipeline:          $0.9

Truck Freight: $73.5 billion (61.2% of all transborder freight)

  • U.S.-Canada: $32.9 billion (53.6% of all northern border freight)
  • U.S.-Mexico: $40.5 billion (69.1% of all southern border freight)
  • Top three busiest truck border ports (45.1% of total transborder truck freight)
    • Laredo, TX     $17.1 billion
    • Detroit, MI      $10.6 billion
    • Ysleta, TX       $5.4 billion
  • Top three truck commodities (46.2% of total transborder truck freight)
    • Computers and parts   $13.5 billion
    • Electrical machinery  $11.1 billion
    • Vehicles and parts      $9.3 billion

Rail Freight: $16.4 billion (13.7% of all transborder freight)

  • U.S.-Canada: $8.9 billion (14.5% of all northern border freight)
  • U.S.-Mexico: $7.5 billion (12.8% of all southern border freight)
  • Three busiest rail border ports (50.6% of total transborder rail freight)
    • Laredo, TX                 $3.8 billion
    • Eagle Pass, TX            $2.4 billion
    • Detroit, MI                  $2.1 billion
  • Top three rail commodities (54.8% of total transborder rail freight)
    • Vehicles and parts      $6.5 billion
    • Mineral fuels               $1.3 billion
    • Plastics and articles      $1.2 billion