Uber Freight’s Cross-Border Growth Amid Mexico Trade Surge
Explore how Uber Freight leverages digital innovation and infrastructure to capitalize on a 21% surge in U.S.-Mexico trade, reshaping cross-border logistics with compliance and nearshoring trends.
Key Takeaways
- U.S.-Mexico trade surged 21% in 2025, fueling logistics growth.
- Uber Freight integrates customs, brokerage, and transport digitally.
- Laredo, TX, remains the top U.S. trade gateway with $30.3B in July.
- Uber Freight’s cross-border new business rose 77% year-over-year.
- Tariffs and USMCA rules add complexity, demanding compliance expertise.
Imagine a trade corridor humming with activity, where every shipment’s journey is tracked in real time, and border delays become relics of the past. That’s the vision Uber Freight is bringing to life as it deepens its footprint in Mexico’s booming cross-border market. With U.S.-Mexico trade surging 21% in 2025, driven by nearshoring and shifting regulations, the stakes—and opportunities—have never been higher.
At the heart of this transformation is Uber Freight’s digital-first approach, weaving customs, brokerage, and transportation into one seamless platform. This integration offers shippers unprecedented visibility and agility amid a complex regulatory landscape shaped by tariffs and the USMCA.
In this article, we’ll unpack Uber Freight’s strategic moves, the drivers behind Mexico’s trade boom, and what this means for businesses navigating the evolving cross-border logistics scene. Buckle up for a journey through innovation, compliance, and growth that’s reshaping North American commerce.
Capturing Trade Surge
The numbers don’t lie: U.S.-Mexico cross-border trade jumped 21% in 2025, hitting $507 billion year-to-date. That’s a tidal wave of commerce reshaping logistics. Nearshoring—companies moving production closer to the U.S.—is a major driver, fueled by the USMCA’s rules of origin that reward local manufacturing.
Uber Freight is riding this wave by expanding its footprint in Mexico, especially in industrial hotspots like Monterrey and the Bajío region. The company forecasts another 21% growth next year, riding demand from automotive and machinery sectors. It’s not just about volume; it’s about adapting to a trade environment that’s more complex than ever.
Jesús Ojeda, Uber Freight’s head of Mexico operations, highlights how shifting tariffs—up to 25% on some imports—are pushing manufacturers to localize. This isn’t a simple border crossing anymore; it’s a strategic chess game where compliance and speed win. Uber Freight’s bet is clear: integrate technology and expertise to turn complexity into opportunity.
Integrating Digital Solutions
Border delays have long been the bane of cross-border logistics—a frustrating ‘black hole’ where shipments vanish into paperwork and uncertainty. Uber Freight’s secret weapon? Digital integration that brings every document, check, and step into one transparent system.
At the Deliver 2025 conference, Ojeda explained how their platform consolidates customs, brokerage, and transportation services. Customers can track shipments in real time, avoiding costly delays and extra duties. This digital visibility is a game-changer, especially as Mexico and U.S. regulations evolve daily.
By early 2025, Uber Freight plans to fully roll out its Transportation Management System (TMS) in Mexico, enhancing customization and reporting. This tech-first approach isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about giving shippers peace of mind in a landscape where a missed document can mean days lost at the border.
Expanding Infrastructure Footprint
Logistics isn’t just software; it’s warehouses, trucks, and people. Uber Freight’s physical presence tells a story of serious commitment. The company operates 10 cross-border offices, including key hubs in Nuevo Laredo, a critical gateway since Laredo, Texas, handles 60% of all U.S.-Mexico cargo.
Their warehouses in Laredo cover 1.5 million square feet and process over 25,000 customs entries monthly. That’s a logistical powerhouse ensuring shipments keep moving. Meanwhile, Laredo’s trade volume hit $30.3 billion in July alone, a 7% increase year-over-year.
With more than 1,300 employees dedicated to cross-border operations, Uber Freight combines manpower with technology. This blend of digital and physical infrastructure is what sets them apart, enabling high-touch support for shippers and carriers navigating a complex trade environment.
Navigating Regulatory Complexities
Trade rules can feel like a maze, especially with tariffs up to 25% on Mexican steel, aluminum, and automobiles shaking up supply chains. Uber Freight’s role extends beyond moving freight—they act as trade compliance advisors, meticulously reviewing every document to ensure shipments meet USMCA and SNICE requirements.
This proactive compliance helps customers avoid unexpected delays and extra costs. The SNICE platform, for example, demands detailed export documentation for products like turbines and electrical machinery. Uber Freight’s digital tools streamline this process, turning red tape into a clear path.
In a world where regulations shift daily, having a logistics partner that reacts in real time isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Uber Freight’s integrated approach offers that agility, helping exporters and importers treat cross-border shipments almost like domestic ones.
Seizing Nearshoring Opportunities
Nearshoring is more than a buzzword—it’s a seismic shift in supply chains. Companies are relocating manufacturing to Mexico to be closer to U.S. consumers, cutting transit times and costs. This trend is turbocharging demand for integrated logistics solutions.
Uber Freight’s centralized hubs and digital visibility make it easier for businesses to consolidate shipments and streamline customs. For example, Eaton improved supply chain efficiency by consolidating customs processes for its eight Mexican plants through Uber Freight’s Laredo facilities.
With Mexico’s economy growing modestly at 0.7% in Q2 2025 and foreign direct investment rising, the logistics sector is poised for sustained expansion. Uber Freight’s blend of technology, infrastructure, and compliance expertise positions it to turn nearshoring’s promise into real-world gains for shippers navigating this evolving landscape.
Long Story Short
Uber Freight’s bold expansion into Mexico’s cross-border logistics arena is more than a business move—it’s a masterclass in adapting to rapid trade growth and regulatory twists. By digitalizing every step from customs to delivery, they’re turning what was once a ‘black hole’ at the border into a transparent, manageable process. The 21% surge in U.S.-Mexico trade isn’t just a statistic; it’s a signal that nearshoring and evolving trade rules are rewriting supply chain playbooks. Companies that embrace integrated, tech-driven logistics like Uber Freight’s stand to gain a competitive edge, avoiding costly delays and tariffs. For shippers and carriers alike, the lesson is clear: complexity demands clarity. With infrastructure investments in key hubs like Laredo and a growing workforce dedicated to cross-border expertise, Uber Freight is poised to lead the charge. The relief of smooth customs clearance and real-time shipment tracking isn’t just operational—it’s financial freedom in a fast-changing world.