Cross-Border Trucking Complicated By Language, ID Systems

ASHINGTON — Language barriers, multiple identification systems, congestion and delays are some of the challenges the trucking industry faces at the nation’s borders, industry executives said.

In addition, the lack of a harmonized regulatory policy between the United States, Canada and Mexico makes for a “never-ending battle about who and what policy we are supposed to be in compliance with,” said Gary Nichols, director of business development for Contract Freighters Inc., Joplin, Mo.

“This compounds day-to-day challenges we face when transporting goods across the Mexican border,” Nichols said Jan. 24 during the Transportation Research Board’s annual conference here.