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The short answer

Plan the move as three legs. On the U.S. side, each state crossed issues its own permit, escort rules and travel windows; our State Permit Guide organizes those for the U.S. leg only. In Mexico, the federal transport ministry (SICT) issues special permits for indivisible heavy or large loads, with separate procedures by payload, and states or cities can add conditions. The border transfer is often the hardest point, so settle it before any permit is bought.

This page is part of the U.S.–Mexico Freight Shipping Guide. The State Permit Guide does not cover Mexican permits; confirm the Mexico leg with the Mexican carrier or permit provider.

How a cross-border heavy haul works

Three legs, three permit systems

  1. U.S. leg to or from the borderState permits for each state crossed, with its own thresholds, escorts, travel hours and route conditions.
  2. The border crossingCustoms, the transfer carrier and any tractor, trailer or escort change, planned around the loaded configuration.
  3. Mexican legSICT special permit for indivisible large or heavy objects, plus any state or municipal conditions on the route.

Define the loaded configuration first

Permits are issued for the loaded vehicle, not the cargo alone. Have the actual or best-known length, width, height and weight of the load; the tractor and trailer configuration; deck height; axle groups and spacing; overall loaded dimensions; overhang; center-of-gravity concerns; and whether the object can be dismantled. See measuring an oversize load.

The U.S. side

Each state sets its own permit threshold, escort rules, travel windows, holiday restrictions, route restrictions and bridge review. The State Permit Guide builds a U.S. Move Plan for the states the load crosses. Our guides on oversize permits, pilot cars and escorts and multistate oversize loads explain the U.S. process.

The Mexican side

Mexico's SICT publishes special-permit procedures for moving indivisible objects of large weight or volume, with separate procedures for payloads up to 90 tonnes and above 90 tonnes, under the federal weights-and-dimensions rules. Applications can call for vehicle diagrams, the proposed route, load dimensions and weights, and insurance. Do not rely on fee amounts or thresholds copied from third-party sites; confirm the current procedure and cost for the exact move with the Mexican carrier or permit provider.

What changes the plan

  • A transfer at the border. Moving the load to a different trailer can change the loaded height or axle loading, which changes both permits.
  • Escorts. An escort accepted in a U.S. state does not satisfy Mexican requirements, and the reverse is also true. Plan the escort change as a handoff.
  • Route engineering. Bridge review, utility clearances, construction, turning radius, municipal permission and police coordination can set the schedule.
  • Permit dates. The permits on each side must line up with the same crossing window.

Common failure points

  • Permits bought on the U.S. side before the Mexican route is known to work.
  • A transload that raises the deck height and makes the load over-height.
  • No secure staging space at the border for a load that has to wait.
  • A delivery appointment set before the route was validated.

Before requesting a heavy-haul quote

  • Exact pickup and delivery locations
  • Object description, with drawings or photos
  • Actual dimensions and weight
  • Lifting points and whether it can be dismantled
  • Loading and unloading method
  • Preferred or required equipment
  • Desired dates
  • Customs broker status
  • Whether the load may change trailers at the border

Common questions

Can an exact all-in price be given before permits are researched?

Often not responsibly. If permit, escort, police or route costs are still open, the quote should list them as unresolved or give a supported range rather than invent a total.

Does "oversize" mean the same thing in Mexico and the U.S.?

No. The thresholds and permit systems differ by country and, in the U.S., by state.

Does the State Permit Guide cover the Mexico leg?

No. It covers U.S. states only. The Mexican leg needs its own permit through the Mexican carrier or permit provider.

Can an RGN solve every heavy-haul problem?

No. Equipment is one part. Axle loading, route, permits, clearances and the border transfer all have to work.

Get the heavy haul priced leg by leg

Send the dimensions, weight, drawings and dates; we will separate the U.S. leg, the crossing and the Mexican leg, and list what is still unresolved.

Request a Freight Quote

Official sources

Last verified: 27 September 2026 against the official sources listed.