North American Transborder Freight Update: January 2026 Shows Mixed Results Amid Ongoing Economic Pressures
- Kelsea Ansfield
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) has released its January 2026 TransBorder Freight Data, providing a detailed snapshot of U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico. Total transborder freight reached $126.9 billion, representing a 5.5% decrease compared to January 2025. While trade with Mexico showed resilience, a sharp decline with Canada drove the overall reduction.
These statistics, reported in nominal U.S. dollars and not adjusted for inflation or tonnage, help inform infrastructure planning, trade corridor analysis, and logistics strategy across North America.
Key Highlights from January 2026
Total Transborder Freight by Border:
U.S.–Canada: $52.8 billion (down 18.4% from January 2025)
U.S.–Mexico: $74.1 billion (up 6.5% from January 2025)
The strong growth with Mexico continues to reflect nearshoring trends and robust manufacturing integration, while the significant drop with Canada points to softer demand in energy, raw materials, and certain manufactured goods.
Freight by Mode of Transportation:
Trucks: $84.6 billion (down 3.5%)
Railways: $12.2 billion (down 19.6%)
Pipelines: $9.3 billion (down 10.3%)
Air: $7.9 billion (up 28.1% — the only mode showing strong growth)
Vessels: $6.6 billion (down 19.7%)
Air freight posted the only significant increase, likely driven by high-value, time-sensitive goods and electronics. Meanwhile, rail, pipeline, and vessel volumes declined notably, reflecting broader softness in bulk and energy-related trade.
Breakdown by Border and Mode (in billions USD):
U.S.–Canada
Truck: $29.6B
Pipeline: $8.3B
Rail: $5.8B
Air: $5.5B
Vessel: $2.3B
U.S.–Mexico
Truck: $55.0B
Rail: $6.4B
Air: $2.4B
Vessel: $4.3B
Pipeline: $1.0B
Top Ports and Commodities
Key border crossings continue to dominate activity:
Top truck ports with Canada: Detroit, Port Huron, Buffalo
Top truck ports with Mexico: Laredo, El Paso, Otay Mesa
Top rail ports with Canada: Detroit, Port Huron, International Falls
Top rail ports with Mexico: Laredo, Eagle Pass, El Paso
Top 10 Ports and Commodities by Value (January 2026):
Rank | Port / Commodity | Value (USD) |
1 | Laredo, Texas (Port) | $27.34 billion |
2 | Computer-Related Machinery and Parts | $29.84 billion |
3 | Ysleta, Texas (Port) | $10.09 billion |
4 | Mineral Fuels; Oils and Waxes | $15.67 billion |
5 | Port Huron, Michigan (Port) | $8.72 billion |
6 | Electrical Machinery; Equipment & Parts | $15.27 billion |
7 | Detroit, Michigan (Port) | $8.64 billion |
8 | Vehicles Other than Railway | $14.36 billion |
9 | Buffalo–Niagara Falls, New York (Port) | $6.17 billion |
10 | Plastics and Articles | $4.39 billion |
Computer-related machinery remained the top commodity, followed by mineral fuels and electrical equipment — highlighting the continued importance of technology and energy supply chains in North American trade.
Strategic Implications for Businesses
The January data reveals a tale of two borders: resilience and growth with Mexico contrasted by a significant slowdown with Canada. The sharp decline in rail, pipeline, and vessel volumes suggests softness in bulk commodities and energy flows, while the strong increase in air freight points to demand for high-value, time-sensitive goods.
For supply chain and logistics professionals:
Mexico-focused strategies continue to show strength, particularly in truck and rail corridors.
Canada trade requires close monitoring, especially in energy and heavy manufacturing sectors.
Mode diversification becomes more important as rail and vessel volumes decline while air shows strength.
Port and corridor planning should prioritize high-performing gateways like Laredo and Detroit.
At Gain Consulting LLC, we use insights like the BTS TransBorder Freight Data to help clients optimize cross-border logistics, assess infrastructure needs, and develop resilient North American supply chain strategies. Whether you’re managing trade corridor risk or evaluating nearshoring opportunities, understanding these monthly shifts is critical for staying competitive.
The full January 2026 dataset and historical trends are available on the BTS TransBorder Freight Data homepage.
If your organization needs expert analysis of how these trade patterns affect your operations, contact Gain Consulting LLC today. We turn complex freight data into clear, actionable strategies for supply chain success.
Follow us on X @gainconsulting_ for monthly updates on North American freight trends, border activity, and logistics insights.
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