US/Mexico Cross-Border Trucking Update

Salvador Monroy Andrade, Director, Cross-Border Motor Carrier Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Administration, issued an update recently regarding US and Mexico Cross-Border trucking.

"Last July 6, the SCT of Mexico and the U.S. DOT signed an understanding to operate International Freight Cross-Border Trucking Services in Mexico and U.S.

On July 7, 2011, the Direccion General del Autotransporte Federal (DGAF) published the NEW RULES OF MEXICO FOR U.S. MOTOR CARRIER operations with the procedures and forms by which a US-based motor carrier can obtain a permit to circulate in Mexico.  You can find this information publish on the Secretaria de Comuncaciones y Transportes (SCT) Website at http://www.sct.gob.mx/transporte-y-medicina-preventiva/autotransporte-federal/autotransporte-transfronterizo-de-carga-internacional/

The U.S. DOT, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued on July 8, 2011, the Federal Register Notice (FMCSA-2011-0097) http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/nafta/nafta.htm with the NEW RULES OF U.S.A. FOR MEXICAN MOTOR CARRIER operations.

Mexican carriers would need to file the requested forms (OP1-MX; MCS-150 and BOC-3) in order to apply for operating authority to transport goods beyond the US border cities and commercial zones.  After receiving these completed forms, FMCSA will ask the Department of Homeland Security to provide a security assessment.  Later than, FMCSA will schedule a Pre-Authorization Safety Audit to determine whether the carrier has the appropriate safety programs in place to ensure safe operations in the United States. After which the approval/denial and processing of the application take place, including proper insurance coverage."