Road transport is one of the most commonly used means to move large quantities of goods between two relatively close points. Like any other mode of transportation, it has its advantages and challenges, with one of the most serious being cargo theft.
In terms of numbers, the insecurity panorama for road freight transportation is as follows:
According to the National Chamber of Freight Transport (CANACAR), during 2022, cargo vehicle theft increased by 7.9% compared to 2021, resulting in approximately 10,000 incidents on different routes across the country.
Regarding 2023, it is estimated that from January to October, theft from transport vehicles increased to 10,000 incidents, mainly affecting 10 states in the country, which accounted for 94% of the assaults.
According to the National Business Victimization Survey, the cities with the highest robbery rates are:
- Mexico City
- Michoacán
- Jalisco
- Zacatecas
- Morelos
- Veracruz
- Puebla
Theft of goods transported via road occurs through various methods, including:
- Driver retention: 87%
- Complete cargo theft: 6%
- Pillage: 4%
- Attempted retention: 2%
- Theft from facilities: 1%
On the other hand, the most frequent types of theft by criminal gangs are:
- Theft from units in transit: 82%
- Theft in unsafe parking lots: 11%
- Theft in company yards: 5%
- Theft at gas stations or truck stops: 1%
- Theft at carrier facilities: 1%
What are the most stolen products during land transportation of goods?
- Food and beverages: 41%
- Electronics: 14%
- Alcohol: 8%
- Chemicals: 7%
- Pharmaceuticals: 7%
- Construction and industrial goods: 5%
What to do to prevent cargo theft?
Identify dangerous routes
Research which routes are unsafe for road transportation of your goods and avoid them.
Get cargo insurance
If possible, protect your goods with an insurance policy that guarantees the safety of your products in the event of such an incident.
Seek advice from a freight forwarder
Look for a customs agency that offers services in logistics and cargo transportation. This way, your foreign trade operations will be in expert hands, and you’ll have one less problem to worry about.
At Remar, we have over 25 years of experience in customs clearance, logistics, marketing, consultancy, and management of all aspects related to foreign trade operations.
Similarly, our Freight Forwarder business unit is made up of logistics specialists who deliver results and monitor all operations, ensuring success in the distribution and transportation of goods.
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