Cargo Theft Trends in 2025

If you haul freight across North America, there’s one threat that’s growing faster than ever: cargo theft. According to the latest report from CargoNet, 884 supply chain theft events were recorded across the U.S. and Canada in the second quarter of 2025 — a 13% increase over last year and up 10% from Q1.

With losses estimated at over $128 million, this isn’t just a logistics issue — it’s a major hit to drivers, fleets, shippers, and the economy at large. If you’re behind the wheel or managing a fleet, staying informed and taking proactive steps could mean the difference between a clean run and a six-figure loss.

Theft trends this year show a worrying pattern. Just in the second quarter, April was up 14.6% and May was up 4.4%. June theft was up a staggering 21.9%!

These aren’t just random break-ins. Organized crime groups are taking a strategic, business-like approach — targeting high-value, easy-to-resell goods and adjusting tactics based on market conditions.

Metals are valuable targets, with copper topping the list. Theft of metals nearly doubled year-over-year, with 53 incidents reported. This spike aligns with copper trading at or near record highs — proving thieves are watching commodity markets just as closely as financial analysts.

Food and beverage are new hot targets. With 180 thefts in Q2 alone, this category jumped 68% over last year and now makes up over 20% of all cargo thefts. The most commonly stolen items include alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and meat products. These items have high black-market demand, short supply chains, and quick resale potential.

Today’s thieves aren’t just cutting locks — they’re stealing identities and faking paperwork. Sophisticated fraud schemes involving document forgery and identity theft are becoming more common, especially among international organized crime networks.

What does that look like? In many cases, thieves create fake carrier profiles that are then used to hijack loads. They also falsify delivery confirmations and steal or clone identities to intercept shipments.

Industry experts advise that traditional security isn’t enough anymore. Here’s what fleet managers and drivers should be doing right now to fight back:

• Use digital verification tools.

  Verify all pickup and delivery contacts. Never trust new brokers or drivers without doing your homework.

• Strengthen physical security.

  Invest in high-quality trailer locks, seals, and GPS tracking systems — especially for loads with high resale value.

• Train your team.

  Make sure drivers know the signs of fraud, what to verify at pickup points, and how to respond to suspicious activity.

• Stay informed.

  Join real-time intelligence networks or platforms like CargoNet to get alerts about theft hotspots and tactics.

• Communicate with law enforcement.

  Report suspicious activity and theft attempts immediately. Partnering with local and federal authorities is key to cracking down on these organized operations.

Cargo theft in 2025 is smarter, faster, and more dangerous than ever before. For truckers and fleet managers, protecting your freight means more than locks and cameras — it requires a layered strategy combining technology, teamwork, and awareness.

Keep your guard up, and keep your cargo moving safe.