Saturday Border Operations Expand: 400+ Trucks Increase at Laredo

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expanding weekend commercial truck operations at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas, with a pilot program that increased Saturday hours by three hours. The pilot, which began in early September, has generated approximately 400 to 500 additional truck crossings on Saturdays, though this largely reflects a shift from Sunday operations rather than net new weekend volume. CBP expects to extend the initial 90-day pilot for another three months to evaluate the impact on commercial cargo processing and cross-border trade efficiency.

The expansion was requested by Mexico's National Customs Agency and trade stakeholders seeking to improve import and export flows. Separately, truck freight between the U.S. and Mexico reached $75.4 billion in September, accounting for 78% of all bilateral trade. This $75.4 billion represents a 34.2% increase compared to September 2025, underscoring the critical role of trucking in North American commerce. Laredo, Texas, led all gateways with $38.1 billion in cross-border freight during the month.

Meanwhile, Teleflex invested $5 million in a new medical device manufacturing facility in Chihuahua, Mexico, expanding production capacity for high-precision tooling and components. These developments collectively signal increased momentum in U.S.-Mexico trade and supply chain integration. For logistics operators and importers, the expanded Saturday operations offer tactical flexibility for scheduling, though the data suggests market dynamics shifted demand rather than created new capacity. The infrastructure investments, including the expansion of inspection lanes at the World Trade Bridge from 7 to 19, demonstrate commitment to reducing bottlenecks and supporting higher trade volumes.