Mexican Customs Restriction Contributes to 40.52 Percent Decline in Commercial Truck Crossings at Port of Eagle Pass in September 2026

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

A temporary Mexican customs restriction that prevented empty commercial trucks from returning to Mexico through the Port of Eagle Pass disrupted traffic at the Camino Real International Bridge during September 9-14, 2026, contributing to a 40.52 percent decline in commercial crossings compared with the previous month of August.

The restriction began September 9 and was lifted September 14. During that six days period, Mexican authorities prohibited empty commercial tractor-trailers operating without trailers from entering Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico through Eagle Pass, while allowing loaded commercial vehicles to continue crossing.

The City of Eagle Pass recorded 14,538 commercial crossings in September, down from 24,442 in August, representing 9,904 fewer commercial vehicles crossing southbound into Mexico.

Eagle Pass International Bridge Director Patricia Mancha reported that daily commercial crossings fell from approximately 1,000 to between 300 and 400 during the restriction, a reduction of roughly 60 to 70 percent. The sharp daily decline points to the disruption as a significant contributing factor, although the monthly report does not identify how much of September’s decrease resulted directly from the restriction.

The Mexican Customs temporary restriction contributed to the Eagle Pass International Bridge System to sustain gross financial revenue losses estimated between $600,000 to $1 million, according to this publication’s study.

The temporary six day restriction caused commercial trucking companies to cross their trucks through other ports of entry such as Laredo and Del Rio.

The interruption also affected transportation companies that needed to return empty equipment to Mexico to pick up additional shipments. Nearly 700 tractors were reportedly stranded in Eagle Pass before Mexican authorities restored empty commercial crossings.

Compared with September of the previous year, commercial crossings decreased 52.68 percent, falling from 30,723 to 14,538.

Total traffic across Eagle Pass’ two international bridges also declined from August to September. Combined crossings fell from 319,105 to 296,256, a decrease of 22,849, or 7.16 percent. Those totals include noncommercial vehicles, commercial vehicles, buses and pedestrians.