CBP Issues Strong Warning: Cabotage Violations Will Cost CTPAT Members Their Status

A red FTL cargo truck travels along a vast, open highway with rugged mountains forming a striking backdrop under a clear blue sky.

May 21, 2025 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) dropped a clear and uncompromising message yesterday: if you are a CTPAT member and you allow Mexican truck drivers on B-1 visas to perform point-to-point hauls inside the United States, you will be suspended or removed from the program — no exceptions.

The three-page CTPAT Alert (Publication 5172-0925, dated May 20, 2025) focuses on one issue: cabotage violations by foreign drivers, especially those entering under B-1 business-visitor visas or using the FAST program.

What is Cabotage and Why Does CBP Care?

Cabotage is the transportation of goods or passengers between two points in the same country by a foreign carrier. In trucking, it means a Mexican-registered tractor/trailer (or Canadian) picking up a load in, say, Laredo, Texas and delivering it to Dallas, Chicago, or Los Angeles — entirely within the United States.

U.S. law has prohibited this for decades. The entire purpose of allowing B-1 visa drivers to enter is to deliver or pick up international cargo that is moving into or out of the United States — nothing more.

Key Prohibited Activities (Directly from the Alert)

CBP spelled out the most common violations in plain language:

• Picking up a load at one U.S. point and delivering to another U.S. point

• Repositioning an empty trailer between two U.S. locations if the driver did not enter or exit with that trailer

• “Topping off” an international load with domestic freight

• Parking a load in a drop lot or warehouse overnight/weekend (unless awaiting official government inspection)

• Switching tractors in the U.S. unless it’s the same company and due to a genuine emergency or breakdown

If any of these happen, the cargo has “come to rest” and lost its international character — making the movement illegal cabotage.

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever for CTPAT Members

CTPAT is a voluntary, trust-based program. Membership gives you faster border clearance, fewer exams, and priority during trade disruptions. But trust cuts both ways.

The alert is blunt:

“CTPAT Members in violation of cabotage requirements will be suspended or removed from the program. FAST commercial drivers may also have their FAST ID cards revoked.”

That means losing green-lane FAST access at the border and potentially waiting hours longer on every crossing; a devastating blow for any cross-border operation.

How to Report Suspected Violations

CBP and ICE want tips:

- ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line: 1-866-347-2423 or online HSI Tip Form

- CBP e-Allegations (anonymous): https://eallegations.cbp.gov or call 1-800-BE-ALERT

What Importers, Brokers, and Carriers Should Do Today

1. Review every drayage and cross-border trucking contract. Make sure the language explicitly prohibits cabotage.

2. Train dispatch and operations staff on the “come to rest” rules.

3. Audit recent moves involving B-1 drivers for any overnight parking, tractor switches, or domestic legs.

4. If you discover past violations, self-disclose immediately to your CTPAT Supply Chain Security Specialist; it’s usually better than waiting for CBP to find it.

Bottom Line

CBP is not introducing new rules, they are simply reminding the trade that the old rules will now be enforced with the ultimate penalty for CTPAT members: loss of trusted-trader status.

One domestic move by a B-1 driver can cost your company its green lane privileges for years.

Download the full CTPAT Alert here:

CTPAT Alert - Cabotage Rules Violations and CTPAT - May 20 2025 (508).pdf

Download PDF • 487KB

Stay legal, stay international, and keep your CTPAT status intact.