Last updated: October 7, 2026
Not every shipment fills a truck. When your freight rides with other companies’ freight, the truck is shared but customs is not: every importer clears its own goods. This guide explains how consolidated (LTL) freight clears between the United States and Mexico at Laredo, and what to prepare so your part does not hold the truck.
Consolidated freight and a consolidated pedimento are different things
- Consolidated freight (LTL). Goods from several shippers on one truck. That is a transportation matter.
- Consolidated pedimento. One Mexican customs declaration covering several crossings by the same importer or exporter in a week or a month (Articles 37 and 37-A of Mexico’s Customs Law). That is a customs matter, widely used by IMMEX companies and frequent shippers. See IMMEX logistics.
How a truck with several importers’ freight clears
- Each importer has its own pedimento. With its own invoice, tariff classification, permits and duty payment. See tariff classification.
- All the pedimentos cross on the same truck. If one is selected for inspection, the whole truck waits. That is why it matters who you consolidate with and how clean everyone’s paperwork is.
- The Carta Porte describes the full load. The carrier needs correct data for every shipment. See the Carta Porte guide.
- On the U.S. side, each shipment has its own entry or export filing. Handled by the same team that files the pedimento.
What to prepare so your part does not hold the truck
- Commercial invoice and packing list with true piece counts, weights and descriptions.
- Confirmed tariff classification and any permits or NOM standards that apply. See Mexican official standards.
- USMCA certification of origin if the goods qualify. See rules of origin.
- An active Mexican importer registration (padrón de importadores) and the broker authorization on file.
- Advance notice if the freight is hazardous: it is handled and crossed separately. See hazmat through the Colombia bridge.
How we handle it at Eilan
- We receive your freight in Laredo. A 200,000 sq ft warehouse to receive, check and transload. See the Laredo 3PL warehouse.
- We check the documents before the crossing. What is missing gets fixed at the warehouse, not at the bridge.
- We clear on both sides. United States and Mexico with one team, since 1994.
- We work with your carrier. See customs broker for carriers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import a single pallet?
Yes. Shipment size does not change the requirements: you still need a pedimento, a classification and whatever permits apply to the product.
What happens if another company’s freight has a problem?
The truck waits until it is solved or that freight is taken off. A document check of every shipment beforehand lowers that risk.
Do you handle personal vehicles or household moves?
No. We handle commercial freight.
Let’s talk about your shipment
Tell us the product, how many pallets, where it ships from and where it is going. Contact us or call +1 (956) 717-4150, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Central. More in our trade guides.