Freight Pulse & Law Update: CBP Voids Importer Numbers, Port Congestion Nears 4 Million TEUs, and Chicago's Robot Traffic Jam

Direct answer: Audit Form 5106 and Importer of Record records this week. Recheck carrier and broker identities, then lock Q4 capacity and surcharge language before September 24. Visibility beats renegotiation.

What changed in customs and trucking law?

CBP began voiding Importer of Record numbers on September 18 when Form 5106 information is incomplete or inaccurate. There is no grace period. A voided number blocks new entries, while cargo already on the water can accumulate storage fees or move to General Order. Review the Federal Register notice and prepare for the proposed Heightened Import Disclosures rule, Docket USCBP-2026-1058. Comments are due December 1.

At the U.S.–Mexico border, DOT is sharing FMCSA violation data with CBP, enabling electronic flags for prior cabotage violations and contributing to visa revocations and driver protests. A temporary fuel waiver allows qualifying haulers to operate up to 16 hours daily through December 16. UCR fees rise approximately 20% on October 1.

Why are freight costs tightening?

Diesel reached a 2026 high of $6.26 per gallon on September 16. Tender rejections remain near 13.5%–14% as carrier closures, insurance costs, and sham CDL school shutdowns remove capacity.

Global port congestion is approaching 4 million TEUs. China–U.S. East Coast spot rates are near $10,948 per 40-foot container, while Maersk added a $1,000 emergency fee for Strait of Hormuz transits. Non-oil Gulf cargo trade is down 94% year over year.

What should logistics teams check now?

• Verify IOR, broker, and carrier records.

• Dual-check pickups to prevent fictitious collection fraud.

• Review DOT brake inspection records during CVSA Brake Safety Week.

• Monitor theft exposure: Memphis chicken-load arrests, a recovered $586,000 copper shipment, and a burglarized BNSF train show how quickly controls can fail.

• Ignore Chicago’s sidewalk robot pileup only as a light moment: routing errors can still create accessibility and service risks.

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