Freight cargo theft across North America intensified in 2025, with new data from supply chain risk management provider Overhaul revealing a sharp geographic concentration of incidents in the United States. The latest annual findings show that California and Texas alone were responsible for 58% of all reported U.S. cargo theft cases, highlighting how heavily organized theft networks are targeting the country’s largest freight gateways and distribution corridors.
Across the U.S. and Canada combined, more than 2,576 cargo theft incidents were recorded during the year. The U.S. accounted for the vast majority of those cases, with activity increasingly clustered around high-volume logistics hubs, major ports, and dense metropolitan regions.
California remained the epicenter of cargo theft in 2025, representing 38% of all reported U.S. incidents a notable increase from 32% the previous year. The state’s vast warehousing infrastructure, proximity to international ports, and constant flow of high-value imports make it an attractive target for sophisticated criminal groups. Theft activity was particularly concentrated in and around Los Angeles and San Bernardino, two of the nation’s most critical logistics corridors.
Texas ranked second, accounting for 20% of total cargo theft nationwide. Major freight markets such as Dallas and Houston continue to draw criminal attention due to their strategic position in cross border trade, oil and gas distribution, and nationwide linehaul operations. The combined footprint of California and Texas demonstrates how cargo crime is increasingly concentrated along high density freight lanes.
Other states also reported significant activity, though at considerably lower volumes. Tennessee placed third despite a decline in its overall share, while Illinois and Pennsylvania each accounted for a meaningful portion of annual incidents. Georgia remained a recurring hotspot, and secondary markets such as Maryland, Kentucky, and New Jersey continued to register steady, though smaller levels of theft.
Cargo Theft Volumes Continue to Climb
The overall trajectory of cargo crime in the United States points upward. Reported incidents increased 16% year over year in 2025, with every quarter surpassing the comparable period in 2024. The fourth quarter proved to be the most active, contributing nearly one-third of total annual cases a trend that aligns with peak shipping season, holiday inventory surges, and elevated freight demand.
On a daily basis, the U.S. averaged more than seven cargo theft incidents per day in 2025, compared with just over six per day the year prior. Projections indicate the problem is far from stabilizing. Industry forecasts suggest another double digit increase in 2026, with annual incidents potentially approaching 2,900 if current patterns persist.
Several structural factors are contributing to this sustained growth. Expanded e-commerce distribution networks, higher inventory levels in regional warehouses, increased trailer drop-and-hook operations, and greater reliance on third-party brokers have all created new vulnerabilities across the supply chain. At the same time, organized theft rings are leveraging digital tools to identify loads, impersonate carriers, and exploit gaps in verification processes.
High Value Commodities Remain Primary Targets
As in previous years, electronics continued to top the list of stolen commodities, accounting for 22% of total reported incidents. High resale value, strong secondary market demand, and relatively compact packaging make electronics especially attractive to organized cargo theft groups.
Food and beverage shipments ranked second, representing 15% of theft cases. The rising value of consumables, coupled with growing demand for resale in informal markets, has made refrigerated and dry food loads increasingly vulnerable. Home and garden products followed closely, reflecting seasonal shipping patterns and strong retail turnover.
The diversification of targeted commodities indicates that cargo theft is no longer limited to luxury or technology goods. Criminal networks are adapting quickly, targeting products that can be easily redistributed, resold, or blended into legitimate supply channels.
Evolving Criminal Tactics Increase Risk
While traditional pilferage involving partial theft from trailers or containers, remained the most common method, accounting for 43% of cases, more complex schemes are gaining ground. One of the fastest growing tactics is the “deceptive pickup,” in which criminals pose as legitimate carriers or brokers to fraudulently obtain freight.
Deceptive pickup incidents rose 35% year over year and now represent 10% of recorded cargo theft events in the U.S. These schemes often involve identity theft, manipulated load confirmations, falsified documentation, and spoofed email domains. As digital freight matching platforms and remote dispatch systems expand, so too do opportunities for fraud if verification protocols are weak.
From a location standpoint, warehouses and distribution centers were the most frequently targeted facilities, accounting for more than one-third of incidents. Truck stops and fuel stations followed, underscoring the risks associated with unsecured parking and extended dwell times during linehaul operations.
Canada: Theft Expands Beyond Traditional Hotspots
Cargo theft reporting in Canada remains less comprehensive than in the United States, but available data signals that criminal activity is both persistent and increasingly organized. Ontario accounted for 65% of all recorded Canadian cargo theft incidents in 2025, with the majority occurring in the Greater Toronto Area, long considered the country’s primary freight hub.
However, Ontario’s overall share declined compared to prior years, suggesting that theft activity is spreading geographically. British Columbia experienced the most significant increase, rising sharply and signaling that cargo crime is expanding westward beyond historical concentrations.
Full truckload theft was the dominant method in Canada, representing more than half of reported incidents. This differs somewhat from the U.S. pattern, where partial theft remains more common. Additionally, last mile courier theft rose substantially, reflecting vulnerabilities within final delivery networks tied to e-commerce growth.
Deceptive pickup schemes, which have surged in the U.S., also continued to gain traction in Canada. Most incidents occurred on weekdays, particularly at the beginning and end of the workweek, and were concentrated during overnight and early morning hours, periods when freight is often staged or awaiting dispatch.
A Growing Imperative for Risk Mitigation
The 2025 data underscores a clear message for carriers, brokers, and shippers: cargo theft is becoming more concentrated, more organized, and more technologically sophisticated. As freight volumes grow and supply chains become increasingly digital, security strategies must evolve accordingly.
Enhanced carrier vetting, stricter load verification procedures, geofencing, real time shipment visibility, secure parking programs, and employee training are now essential components of risk mitigation. Collaboration between private logistics providers and law enforcement agencies will also be critical to slowing the upward trajectory of cargo crime.
With projections indicating continued growth in 2026, proactive prevention rather than reactive response, will define which operations remain resilient in an increasingly high risk freight environment.
