Machine Transport serves industries all over North America, including the USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, the exact regulations may differ slightly between these three countries. Here are some of the North American shipping regulations that differ and how this impacts cross-country transportation.
Seasonal Weight Restrictions
The USA and Canada have colder climates, whereas Mexico has a warmer temperature. Why is this relevant? For the first two nations, the colder weather means constant road frosting and defrosting. The roads weaken during spring when the roads defrost after winter. Due to the changing road conditions, the USA and Canada impose season-specific weight restrictions. Mexico’s weight guidelines, however, remain constant year-round.
Shipper Verification
As a broker, Machine Transport vets the shippers and carriers it works with. Carriers based in the USA and Canada must register with the Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system. Clients can look up SAFER to determine the reliability and performance history of registered carriers. SAFER is not in use in Mexico. Instead, carriers in this country must register with the USA federal program C-TPAT.
Driver Rest Times
All three countries enforce mandatory rest times for drivers. In the U.S., drivers can drive a maximum of 11 hours per work shift. They must also take a 30-minute break after eight consecutive hours. In Canada, drivers are allowed to drive up to 13 hours per shift. In Mexico, it’s 14 hours, after which they must rest a minimum eight hours before beginning their next shift.
Whether operating an LTL or dedicated truck transport, all carriers must abide by these regulations.
We Are Up to Date with North American Shipping Regulations
We share these regulation differences so you are aware of how they may impact your cross-country shipment. As a broker, we will connect you with the most compatible shipper that meets your demands. North American shipping regulations may affect date, load, and route of travel.
North American Machine Transport
Serving manufacturing industries throughout North America