What is Cross Border Shipping?

Mexico and the United States have long been trade partners. Today everything from cars to avocados cross the U.S.-Mexico border daily. In fact, 13.2 percent of all U.S. trade is done with Mexico and it accounts of billions of dollars in business on both sides of the border. With so much hinging on cross border trade, you need to understand what is cross border shipping and how you can make it work for your business.

What is cross border shipping? Cross border shipping is the act of navigating customs clearance and getting freight across the U.S.-Mexico border. No matter whether your freight is heading south into Mexico or north into the U.S., R+L Global Logistics is prepared to partner with you for your cross border shipping needs. We can move your freight, help you make sense of duties and taxes, and make international shipping simple and hassle free.

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Crossing the Border with R+L Global Logistics

R+L Global Logistics offers cross border shipping solutions to make sure your freight crosses efficiently when it arrives at the border. We have the answers regardless of where your freight is crossing and what kind of commodity you’re moving. R+L Global Logistics will provide those shipping goods with peace of mind, as we can ensure goods will arrive on time, every time. We can help you overcome the risks of shipping cross border and keep your supply chain strong.

Helping customers get their shipments across the border is all in a day's work for the cross border team at R+L Global Logistics. You’ll find a number of service options available to help you get your international shipments across the border without hassle, including dry van, flatbed and other specialised shipping services.

Our team of bilingual transportation specialists, freight brokers and customs brokers all work together to find the best cross border shipping solution for each customer. We take our job of navigating your freight across the border very seriously. We work with a variety of shipping partners who offer the solutions you need to move freight on time, every time.

crossing the border with r+l global logistics

Getting Ready to Ship Cross Border

There are a few things you’ll need to prepare when getting ready to ship freight cross the U.S-Mexico border. You’ll find there are a number of documents that are required to be filled out in full. These documents are necessary for the carrier and logistics company. Shipping goods without proper documentation can cause unwanted delays.

If you’re shipping from the U.S. to Mexico, you’ll need:

Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice

Packing List

Shipper's Export Declaration

Import Pedimento

nafta certificate of origin mexico cross border

NAFTA Certificate of Origin (if it applies to your shipment)

It’s also important to provide the name and address of the shipment’s Mexico customs broker and U.S forwarding agent.

If you’re shipping from Mexico into the U.S., you’ll need:

Mexican Bill of Lading or Orden de Servicio

Export Pedimento

nafta certificate of origin cross border

NAFTA Certificate of Origin (if it applies to your shipment)

Again, you’ll need to provide the name and address of the customs brokers and importers of records as your imports cross the border.

Having the right documents at the ready will speed up the shipping process and help make getting through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) simple. R+L Global Logistics offers cross border shipping consultation services and more to ensure you have the proper documentation in place to make crossing the border easy and hassle free.

Let Us Be Your Partner for Cross Border Shipping

When you’re shipping cross border, you need a logistics partner who can work the industry to your advantage. R+L Global Logistics is prepared to show you how fast, cost effective and reliable delivery can make the world of freight shipping move. We understand what is cross border shipping and can pass our knowledge along to you. R+L Global Logistics promises to help you ship smarter along every step of the way.

cross border partner r+l global logistics

Did You Know?

LIGIE Tariff Reform 2026: New Year, New Duties

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Due to new U.S. tariffs, buying from Mexico is more expensive for Americans. Help consumers in the U.S. save on costs by using a T-MEC certificate of origin to apply for preferential tariff treatment.

Cross Border Freight Shipping Blog

January 6, 2026

LIGIE Tariff Reform 2026: New Year, New Duties

Joe Weaver

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Año nuevo, impuestos nuevos: find out how changes to Mexico’s Ley de Los Impuestos Generales de Importacion (LIGIE) impact importers in Mexico and their suppliers.

May 13, 2025

How To Complete A T-MEC Certificate of Origin

Jacob Lee

No Comments

Due to new U.S. tariffs, buying from Mexico is more expensive for Americans. Help consumers in the U.S. save on costs by using a T-MEC certificate of origin to apply for preferential tariff treatment.

January 3, 2025

Increases in Mexico’s Textile Tariffs Impact US-Bound Apparel

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See how recent changes to import tariffs put in place by Mexico’s president can impact importers of textiles, apparel, and other low-value goods mean to be exported into the U.S.

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