Review of 16 seconds in imports to Mexico from The World Trade International Bridge

In the processes of importing merchandise from the United States to Mexico, waiting times are barely 16 seconds for cargo units that use The World Trade International Bridge ( Puente del Comercio Mundial ), which connects the cities of Laredo, Texas. , with Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas, to then continue on its delivery route to industries or businesses in other cities. 

During this period, each unit is identified, weighed and the merchandise it transports is inspected in a personalized way, which is why more than 66% of the commercial vehicles of the customs district that makes up Rio South Texas, from Laredo to Brownsville use the road traffic.

Yvette Limon, director of international bridges in the city of Laredo, Texas, explained that the movement translates into 2.7 million units of cargo in the last year, from north to south, equivalent to exports from the United States to Mexico. 

“One of our strengths is that the bridge is intended for the exclusive use of cargo transportation, we know that millions of goods pass between Mexico and the United States, that is why we contribute with works, new lanes, implementation of technologies, innovative systems and training, so that the units are not late. The average attention is 16 seconds, so there are no queues”.

In addition to the technology systems and training that the bridge personnel have, Limon emphasized the application of the AVI electronic payment system, which avoids the use of cash to cross. "The carrier presents his electronic payment and at that very moment the system is weighing the unit, counting the axles and doing the inspection, they don't stop."

Most of the shipments to Mexico correspond to the automotive industry through manufacturing parts for vehicles and auto parts, but there are also electronics, technological devices and fuels.

To provide attention to carriers and maintain high safety standards , there is a containment vault for spillage of liquids and hazardous materials, which resolves situations in all the lanes and spaces that make up the route. 

Experience and service

The World Trade International vehicle entrances are extensive and exclusive for cargo, with continuous inspection lanes during extended hours from Monday to Sunday. The Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terrorism  (CTPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) programs are also applied , which brings advantages in customs and international inspection processes

"We want our future partners and clients to know what we have to offer, we will continue promoting actions to stay competitive, we are currently the number one land port, we are more than clear that the Rio Grande does not divide us, on the contrary, it unites us as a single region.

The international highway was inaugurated in the year 2000 and since then, due to the high demand for movement, various expansion and transit works have been carried out for the cargo units, making it a leader in global logistics processes.

Yvette advanced plans to build a new international crossing that will make transit from the United States to Mexico and vice versa more agile . "This is a project that we are still working on, it will definitely be useful to further reduce waiting times, because companies demand immediacy, it is the opportunity to generate several shipments on the same day."

Currently, authorities from Mexico and the United States are working together to expand the capacity of the bridge on the Mexican side, reducing waiting times at the crossing and increasing competition between Tamaulipas and Texas, a region known as Los Dos Laredos. "We will always be prepared with the best infrastructure and technology in order to provide a better service," concluded the director.