As many Americans focus on barbecues, fireworks and catching up with family and friends this Independence Day holiday, logistics companies are being urged to concentrate on protecting their cargo from theft.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has highlighted that cargo thefts are costing the US supply chain up to $35 billion USD (€ 30.8 billion) annually.
The July 4 holiday period, from 1-7 July, is regarded as a peak time for cargo theft in the US.
According to its research, Verisk CargoNet has recorded 184 cargo theft incidents in the last five years between July 1-7.
It found that the value of these cargo thefts was more than $7.5 million USD (€6.37 million).
CargoNet’s Analysts found that cargo theft is at its highest level in over ten years.
CargoNet found that theft events increased above average activity levels on 29 June and peaked on 30 June. They then continued to remain elevated until the 4th of July holiday.
It said extended business closures generally create advantageous operating conditions for cargo thieves, making the Independence Day holiday a prime time for supply chain breaches.
“We believe this is because loaded conveyances are left unattended prior to the holiday and only noticed missing once businesses reopen and operations return to normal,” the company said.
According to the ATA, there were 505 cargo theft incidents reported during the first quarter of this year — a 36 per cent increase compared with Q1 2024.
The CargoNet analytics found that California, Texas, and Illinois were still the most targeted states for cargo fraud, with the theft trends focused heavily on non-alcoholic beverages, vehicle accessories (especially tires and automotive parts), computer electronics, and major appliances.
It also found that the rate of daily cargo theft incidents has increased from four (2013-2022) to 11 in 2025.
Verisk CargoNet’s Vice President of Operations, Keith Lewis said: “The July 4th holiday period consistently presents one of the highest-risk windows for cargo theft due to extended facility closures and reduced security presence.”
“With theft rates nearly tripling over the past decade, logistics companies must prioritize enhanced security measures during holiday periods to protect their assets and maintain supply chain integrity.”
The ATA said, from its own research, that cargo thieves are employing more advanced technologies in their endeavours, as well as turning to strategic theft through the use of fraud to trick shippers, brokers, and carriers into handing loads over to thieves rather than legitimate receivers.
ATA President & CEO, Chris Spear, said cargo theft was putting a dent in America’s trucking industry’s pride and reputation in delivering freight safely and on time.
“The billions of tons of goods transported by trucks from coast to coast have increasingly become a prime target for organised crime rings, including transnational organisations, putting truck drivers at risk and raising costs for consumers,” he said.
The ATA has said that the best way to combat the “epidemic” is through effective enforcement and prosecution measures, including stiff penalties.
In April, the ATA supported the recent introduction of a bipartisan bill to combat the proliferation of billion-dollar cargo theft in the US – the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act.
CargoNet recorded close to 500 fraud and fictitious pickup incidents since November 2022, with such strategic theft crimes increasing 503 per cent year-over-year.
“We expect the organised crime groups perpetrating these crimes to continue throughout the holiday weekend. These crimes are being perpetrated all over the United States, though they are most common in Southern California,” CargoNet reported.
CargoNet advised that logistics companies should implement additional safeguards, including increased facility monitoring, enhanced driver communication protocols, and coordinated security measures with law enforcement partners.
Other measures include greater use of telematics to monitor shipments and using greater locking systems and cargo barriers.
Read more about cargo theft in the US.
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