The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has announced changes to the commercial crossing hours at the Port of Eagle Pass in Texas, aimed at reducing long wait times and easing congestion for trucks entering from Mexico.
These changes take effect on Monday and prioritize loaded freight while shifting empty truck movements to later in the day.
By pushing empty trucks to off-peak hours, CBP aims to reduce daytime congestion at inspection lanes and improve transit times for loaded freight.
The revised schedule also seeks to better align staffing and inspection resources with demand, increasing predictability for shippers and carriers.
Meanwhile, laden shipments, in-bond freight, and formal entries will continue to move during standard hours, maintaining priority access to the busiest morning crossing windows.
The Port of Eagle Pass has experienced persistent congestion issues, with an influx of empty tractors contributing to longer wait times at international bridges.
CBP officials identified the lack of utilization of morning hours for laden shipments as a key bottleneck in addressing these issues.
Data from CBP's Laredo Field Office shows that the port handled over 5,300 commercial truck crossings during the week of April 19-25, highlighting its role as a growing secondary gateway behind Laredo.
The revised schedule reflects a broader trend across the southern border, prioritizing loaded freight and tightening operational controls on empty repositioning moves.
The revised schedule prioritizes loaded freight, which can help alleviate congestion and reduce wait times.
