The U.S.–Mexico cross-border freight market is booming, but shipping freight southbound isn’t the same as booking a domestic load. Customs, carrier hand-offs, and extra paperwork like the pedimento and DODA all add complexity. One misstep can delay delivery and hurt customer trust.
The good news? Shipping freight to Mexico becomes much simpler when you break it into three stages: U.S. pickup, border clearance, and Mexican delivery. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide to help brokers and shippers move southbound shipments confidently.
Key takeaways
- The 7 steps in a southbound shipments
- Why documents like the pedimento and DODA are essential
- How Cargado helps you book vetted carriers in minutes
Southbound shipping: 7 steps from the U.S. to Mexico
1. Find a reliable cross-border carrier
The first step to a successful cross-border move is securing an experienced carrier. Traditionally, brokers spend days calling carriers they already know or searching online, with no guarantee of reliability. That process can take weeks and leaves plenty of risk.
With Cargado, you can book a trusted cross-border carrier in minutes. Every carrier in the network is vetted through broker referrals and an in-person meeting, so you know you’re connecting with the right partner to move freight quickly and confidently.
2. Pick up in the U.S.
A U.S. carrier picks up the load at the origin and transports it to a border city such as Laredo, TX. This leg looks like a standard domestic haul, but timing matters. If paperwork isn’t ready by the time the freight reaches Laredo, delays begin.
3. Drop the shipment at the customs broker’s yard
The carrier delivers the loaded trailer to the customs broker’s yard or warehouse on the U.S. side of the border. Here, the broker (on behalf of the Mexican importer) inspects cargo if needed and prepares the paperwork for export/import.
4. Secure export and import clearance
Clearance requires two sets of documentation:
- U.S. export filing: If shipment value exceeds $2,500, a U.S. Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing is required. Often, a customs broker or forwarder will handle this.
- Mexican import paperwork: The Mexican customs broker prepares:
- Pedimento – the official Mexican customs declaration.
- DODA (Documento de Operación para Despacho Aduanero) – a QR coded document that the carrier presents at the Mexican customs checkpoint to show the import clearance is in process or approved.
Without a pedimento and DODA, freight cannot legally cross into Mexico. Depending on accuracy and timing, this process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
5. Move the shipment across the border
Once the documents are ready and clearance is approved, a transfer drayage carrier is dispatched to the broker’s yard to pick up the sealed trailer and paperwork. This transfer carrier drives the trailer over the border bridge into Mexico. At the Mexican customs facility, the trailer goes through Mexican customs inspections (primary and possibly secondary inspections).
6. Mexican import clearance
Mexican customs officials review the DODA, pedimento, and shipment documents. If duties are paid and inspections pass, the shipment is cleared. The transfer carrier then delivers the trailer to a designated yard on the Mexico side, often their own facility.
7. Final delivery in Mexico
Finally, a Mexican long-haul carrier picks up the trailer and delivers it to the consignee. This completes the southbound shipment.
FAQ
How long does southbound clearance take?
If documents are complete and inspections are smooth, clearance can take just a few hours. But to be safe, plan for 1–3 days of potential waiting time at the border.
What is a DODA?
The DODA, or the Documento de Operación para Despacho Aduanero, is a QR-coded document issued once the pedimento is filed and paid in Mexico. The transfer carrier presents it at the border as proof of import clearance. Freight cannot cross without a DODA.
Simplify your southbound shipping with Cargado
Cross-border moves don’t have to be unpredictable. With vetted carriers, bilingual support, and real-time matching, Cargado helps brokers move southbound freight to Mexico with the same confidence as a domestic load.