Understanding Cargo Theft Tactics and Threats

Key takeaways:

• Cargo theft is on the rise - Reported incidents increased 27% in 2024 across the U.S. and Canada, with significant impacts to global supply chains.¹
• Cargo theft threats are evolving - Tactics include straight theft, pilfering and strategic operations in which organized groups use technology and cyber-enabled methods to carry out cargo crimes.
• High-demand goods are targeted -  Food and beverage products and household goods are among the most frequently stolen, while data center components and metals rank among the highest-value targets.²
• Timing and location matter - Cargo is most vulnerable at unsecured facilities and during weekends or holiday periods, when reporting and response times may be slower.³
• Cargo theft prevention requires a layered approach - Strategic route planning, strong operating protocols, technology and insurance coverage aligned with evolving theft trends are all key.

Cargo theft can affect nearly any supply chain worldwide, costing businesses billions of dollars annually in lost goods and operational disruptions.⁴ Cargo theft threats vary based on the types of goods being transported, routes taken, regional infrastructure quality and timing of shipments. Increasingly, criminals use both physical and digital tactics to exploit vulnerabilities in facilities, vehicles, handoffs and systems throughout the logistics chain. To reduce the risk of cargo theft, organizations should identify where their exposures lie and implement targeted controls to manage them.

The financial impact of cargo theft extends beyond individual shipments. Stolen goods create downstream consequences that can impact the entire supply chain. Retailers can face empty shelves, customer contracts can be at risk, and stolen brand-name products often resurface for sale through unauthorized channels, which can pull business away from legitimate retailers. Many high-value thefts are carried out by sophisticated criminal organizations operating across state and national borders, often using cargo theft proceeds to fund broader criminal activity. That makes cargo theft a concern that reaches well beyond any single supply chain.

Reported cargo theft incidents increased 27% in 2024, with approximately $455 million in losses across the U.S. and Canada⁵ and total loss estimates as high as $35 billion annually.⁶  

What are the most common cargo theft tactics?

Cargo thieves now use a sophisticated blend of straight cargo theft, strategic theft and pilferage, as well as technology- and cyber-enabled methods to target vulnerable trailers and loads. Understanding these methods is the first step in developing effective cargo theft prevention strategies.

Straight cargo theft

Straight cargo theft occurs when thieves forcibly steal cargo from truck stops, drop lots, parking facilities or roadside rest areas. Reported incidents may occur on weekends, when lots are most likely to be left unattended or short-staffed, sometimes for days at a time. Straight cargo theft methods include breaking into parked trailers or stealing entire vehicles. Thieves typically target trailers that lack visible security or carry valuable freight that can be resold quickly, such as food and beverage products, household goods or candy.

Strategic cargo theft

Strategic cargo theft is a growing threat that involves carefully planned operations targeting high-value loads passing through vulnerable locations. Criminal organizations conduct surveillance, gather intelligence and execute coordinated attacks, often combining physical tactics with technology- and cyber-enabled methods. Common schemes include fictitious pickups, identify theft and double brokering, in which thieves pose as legitimate carriers and freight brokers to gain control of a shipment. Strategic cargo theft is especially dangerous since loads may be handed over voluntarily before anyone realizes a crime has occurred. Attempts are common on Friday afternoons, when time constraints and deadlines may lead to mistakes or less stringent vetting of the carrier during handoffs.⁷

 Strategic cargo theft reached record highs in 2024, with 3,625 incidents reported in the U.S. and Canada.⁸

Technology-aided cargo theft

Technology-aided cargo theft exploits weaknesses in modern tracking and communication systems, making it easier to gain access to loads and evade law enforcement. Thieves may damage, remove or destroy electronic locking mechanisms on trailers or use tools like “sniffers” – devices that detect tracking signals – and GPS jammers to block location-pinpointing technologies. Some criminals will even temporarily park and monitor stolen loads to see if, when and how law enforcement responds before moving the cargo again.  

Cyber-enabled cargo theft

Cyber-enabled cargo theft involves the manipulation of digital information and systems to facilitate strategic cargo theft. Scams ranging from basic phishing emails and ransomware attacks to social engineering and urgency tactics help criminals gain access to sensitive information. Criminals can use that information to impersonate carriers and brokers, book shipments under false pretenses or reroute shipments. They can also use captured data to create false documentation to carry out fictious pickups and double-broker loads. As supply chains become more digitized, the threat of cyber-enabled cargo theft continues to grow.

Pilferage

Pilferage and broken seal events occur when only parts of a shipment are stolen rather than the entire load. Pilferage can happen at any point in the supply chain – warehouses, distribution centers, loading docks or during transit. Though broken seals on trailers often indicate pilferage, many drivers don’t notice the cargo theft until delivery. Even minor individual incidents can add up to substantial losses beyond the stolen merchandise, encompassing investigation expenses, repackaging requirements, shipment refusals and customer dissatisfaction when partial orders arrive.

What is stolen most in cargo theft operations?

Cargo thieves typically target goods with strong resale value, steady demand and predictable shipping patterns, including food and beverage products, home and garden supplies, clothing, beauty products, metals, electronics (including data center components) and vehicles.

High-risk commodities

Food and beverage products, home and garden supplies and electronics were among the most frequently stolen goods in 2024 and 2025.⁹ Other high-risk commodities include clothing and apparel, personal care and beauty products, metals and vehicles. Contrary to popular belief, higher-value freight like pharmaceuticals and certain building materials are not stolen as often. Products with advanced anti-theft features, such as unique control numbers and identifiers that help law enforcement track and locate stolen goods, may also be less vulnerable to cargo theft attempts.

Why these goods are targeted

Thieves tend to select cargo that is in demand and can be resold quickly through illicit markets. Goods that are harder to trace, require less specialized handling and lack robust tracking or authentication features generally present a more favorable risk-reward balance for criminals. Though theft trends shift over time, everyday consumer products that are easy to distribute and difficult to distinguish from legitimate inventory are often at highest risk of theft. The goods your organization ships may matter as much as where or how you ship them.

What other factors impact cargo theft risk?

In addition to commodity type, key factors in determining cargo theft risk include infrastructure quality along planned routes and shipment timing.

Regional vulnerabilities thieves may exploit

Infrastructure weaknesses create opportunities for cargo theft. Many thieves concentrate their resources in regions and along routes where shipments may be most vulnerable due to:

• Poor roadways and transportation infrastructure, including deteriorating bridges and ineffective traffic control systems that force cargo to slow down or stop.
• Weak security procedures at ports, terminals and border crossings where oversight may be minimal.
• Limited telecommunications reliability, reducing the effectiveness of tracking or real-time monitoring systems.

Timing also plays a significant role

In the United States, many cargo theft attempts happen on weekends and extended holiday periods, with reported incidents spiking between October and December.¹⁰ Criminals understand that reporting and response times can be delayed when facilities are left unattended or operating with reduced staffing. These delays create extended windows for criminals to transfer cargo, hide stolen goods or resell merchandise before the theft is discovered.

Assessing cargo theft risk

Key considerations for evaluating the theft potential of cargo include:

• The value and resale potential of goods on black markets.
• Seasonal demand fluctuations that may increase theft targeting.
• How cargo moves and the modes of transportation, personnel and resources involved, route and regional considerations.
• Infrastructure quality along planned routes, including all stops and transfer points.
• Geographic crime patterns in areas where cargo will travel.
• Security practices of third-party providers and facilities involved in logistics.
• Cyber security hygiene.

“Education is paramount to effectively combating cargo theft. Once companies understand their particular cargo theft threats, they can implement targeted operational controls to harden their supply chain.”

Ryan Kiefer, Travelers Investigative Services

How to prevent cargo theft

Effective cargo theft prevention requires a comprehensive, multilayered approach that addresses vulnerabilities throughout the supply chain. Strategies that combine awareness, security and operational controls, technology and insurance coverage can help protect shipments and reduce the impact of cargo theft-related losses.

Know the trends 

Understanding current cargo theft trends is fundamental to assessing risk and developing effective prevention strategies. Theft patterns shift based on commodity demand, geographic region, shipping corridors, economic conditions and law enforcement resources. Organizations should monitor industry reports, participate in information-sharing networks and track cargo theft data by region and commodity. Staying informed on emerging tactics and analyzing internal data can help organizations identify vulnerabilities and adapt their controls as the threat to cargo landscape shifts.

Strengthen controls to secure cargo at physical locations

Physical security at warehouses, distribution centers and terminals can reduce unauthorized access and opportunities for cargo theft. Effective programs combine strong perimeter protection and physical safeguards with disciplined on-site practices.

• Maintain secure perimeters with adequate fencing, lighting and controlled access points.
• Conduct regular inspections to identify and address security gaps.
• Use layered physical security such as trailer kingpin, air cuff and high-security rear-door locks, alarms and surveillance to deter theft.
• Designate secure, monitored parking areas for equipment and staged loads.
• Implement visitor controls at facilities, including identification and escort requirements.
• Use inventory control systems to quickly detect and respond to discrepancies.

Plan and monitor shipments strategically to avoid known risks

Thoughtful journey management can significantly reduce cargo theft exposure. The fastest route is not always the safest. Route planning and tracking should balance efficiency with security.

• Design routes to bypass high-risk regions with known theft activity or poor infrastructure.
• Minimize stops early in transit, especially within the first 250 miles from pickup points, commonly referred to as red zones.
• Time shipments to avoid weekends and holiday periods when feasible.
• Coordinate with law enforcement or security providers in unavoidable high-risk areas.
• Vary routes and schedules to reduce predictability.
• Enforce strict in-transit protocols with regular driver check-ins, limited deviations, secure parking and prompt reporting of suspicious activity.
• Use advanced tracking technologies such as GPS, geofencing, sensors and covert or redundant devices to monitor route deviation, unplanned stops and tampering, especially for high-value loads and overnight stops.

Formalize fleet training and contractual security requirements

Employees, carriers, brokers and other logistics partners play a critical role in cargo theft prevention. Consistent training, personnel screening and clearly defined contractual security requirements can help reduce cargo theft risk across the supply chain and strengthen an organization’s overall cargo security strategy.

Vet carriers, brokers and intermediaries carefully. Verify credentials, insurance coverage, safety records and performance histories, especially when using brokered freight.

Implement personnel security controls. Conduct background checks and limit access to sensitive shipping information and transportation systems to authorized personnel.

Establish contractual cargo security requirements. Include expectations for tracking technology use, secure parking practices and controls for unattended loads in agreement with carriers, brokers and service providers.

Provide ongoing cargo theft prevention training. Train drivers, dispatchers and warehouse personnel to recognize current theft tactics, fraud schemes and other transportation security risks.

Strengthen verification and reporting procedures. Require employees to verify carrier information, validate shipping documents and report suspicious activity through established channels.

Require compliance with security standards. Document cargo security requirements in operating procedures, employment agreements and third-party contracts to promote consistent practices.

Treat insider risk as part of the threat model. Limit access to sensitive shipment data on a need-to-know basis, monitor for unusual access patterns and provide clear, confidential channels for employees to report suspicious behavior.

Develop a cargo theft response plan

A cargo theft response plan defines the immediate steps an organization takes when a theft occurs or is suspected, helping minimize losses, support recovery and reduce operational disruption. Even strong prevention strategies cannot eliminate exposures. A clear tested plan ensures that your team knows exactly what to do when one happens.

• Respond quickly, contacting authorities, notifying your carrier and other stakeholders and activating tracking systems immediately after suspected or detected incidents.
• Secure and document the scene by preserving evidence and capturing key details for investigation.
• Support recovery efforts by cooperating with authorities and investigators to review tracking data and security footage.
• Establish clear communication protocols with clearly defined roles, escalation pathways and notification procedures.
• Conduct post-incident reviews to identify gaps and improve future cargo theft prevention efforts.
• Know what you’re moving as cargo and carrier details are time sensitive and critical to recovery efforts.

Prompt reporting increases the likelihood of recovery and supports law enforcement efforts to identify patterns and dismantle criminal networks. Key resources for reporting a cargo theft incident include:

• Local or state law enforcement – file a police report as soon as possible after any suspected incident.
• The FBI – federal jurisdiction applies when cargo crosses state lines or involves organized criminal networks. For strategic and identity-related thefts, report incidents through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
• CargoNet – an industry theft reporting and intelligence database used by brokers, carriers, insurers and law enforcement to track incidents and identify patterns nationally and issue theft alerts and be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) notices.
• Your insurer – notify your carrier promptly to activate claims support and access recover resources.

Include insurance in your cargo theft protection strategy

Comprehensive cargo insurance helps provide financial protection and supports business continuity in the event of theft. Organizations should align coverage limits with the full value of shipments, understand policy terms and exclusions, and ensure that protection extends across the entire supply chain, including intermediaries such as brokers and 3PLs. Working with an insurer experienced in transportation risk, such as Travelers, may also provide access to specialized cargo theft expertise, risk insights and claims support that strengthen both prevention and recovery efforts. Regular policy review is also essential to a resilient, well-managed cargo theft prevention program.

Build a strong defense against cargo theft threats

Cargo theft has evolved into a complex, organized threat that exploits both physical and digital supply chain vulnerabilities. As tactics become more sophisticated, organizations should regularly reassess their exposure and update their controls to strengthen cargo theft prevention. Understanding the risks, strengthening processes and implementing layered controls can help organizations better protect their businesses from modern threats.

To learn more about the many ways Travelers can support your cargo theft prevention efforts, visit travelers.com/transportationresources or contact your independent agent or broker.

 Sources:
^1,5 https://riskandinsurance.com/cargo-theft-losses-hit-record-455m-in-2024/
² https://www.cargonet.com/news-and-events/cargonet-in-the-media/2025-q3-theft-trends/
³ https://www.verisk.com/company/newsroom/verisk-cargonet-issues-advisory-heightened-cargo-theft-risk-during-2025-year-end-holiday-period/
^4,6 https://www.ice.gov/hsi/news/operations-initiatives/op-boiling-point  
⁷ https://web.archive.org/web/20260315081738/https://www.cargonet.com/news-and-events/cargonet-in-the-media/2025-q1-theft-trends2/
⁸ https://www.cargonet.com/news-and-events/cargonet-in-the-media/2024-theft-trends/ 
^9,10 Q4 2025 CargoNet Quarterly Incident Analysis