The Rising Threat of Cargo Theft in the U.S. Supply Chain

Written by Trevor Yates

In today’s logistics environment, moving cargo safely from port to customer faces new threats from organized, malicious actors both in the U.S. and overseas. Cargo theft has become one of the most pressing challenges facing global supply chains — especially in the food and beverage sector, where time, temperature, and trust are critical.
According to CargoNet, reported cargo theft incidents in the U.S. rose nearly 30% in 2024*, with food and beverage shipments among the top three most targeted commodities. Thieves have evolved from opportunistic break-ins to sophisticated, organized operations using false credentials, fraudulent pickups, and digital deception.
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Why the Final Mile of the Supply Chain Is So Vulnerable
The stretch between the warehouse dock and our customer’s delivery door remains one of the most theft-prone segments of the supply chain.
• Transit: The majority of thefts happen on the road, particularly at unsecured rest areas or when loads are fraudulently reassigned. Pilferage has remained a significant and growing problem, even as the newer threat of strategic cargo theft has emerged.
• Pickup & Delivery: Diversion thefts — where criminals redirect shipments to false destinations — are on the rise across multiple industries.
For the food and protein sector, these incidents have unique implications. Perishable products cannot be easily replaced or resold, and any break in chain-of-custody can introduce both food-safety and reputational risk.
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What’s Driving Cargo Theft in the Supply Chain
• More intermediaries in global supply chains, creating additional hand-off points.
• Increased use of online load boards and digital freight platforms, which thieves exploit through identity fraud.
• Higher commodity values and inflationary pressure making food shipments more lucrative.
• Under-reporting of incidents and inconsistent categorization, which mask the true scope of the problem and limit law-enforcement response.
Cargo theft is no longer a random act — it’s a systemic risk fueled by complexity, technology, and opportunity.

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The Broader Impact
Cargo theft extends well beyond the value of the stolen goods. It drives up insurance premiums, strains relationships with carriers, and forces companies to add cost through increased security measures.
Operationally, a single diverted load can disrupt customer deliveries, throw off inventory planning, and trigger emergency shipments to fill the gap. In industries that rely on consistency — like foodservice, manufacturing, and retail — reliability is everything.
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Industry-Wide Mitigation Practices
While there’s no single solution, logistics leaders are aligning around several proven practices:
1. Enhanced Verification: Information sharing between logistics service providers and shippers to confirm carrier and driver credentials at every pickup and delivery.
2. Secure Routing: Reduce idle time and avoid known theft corridors when possible.
3. Technology Adoption: Use GPS, geofencing, and electronic seals for real-time visibility.
4. Shared Data: Collaborate with law enforcement and industry networks like CargoNet to report and analyze incidents.
5. Preparedness: Establish clear escalation plans when theft or diversion is suspected.
As theft tactics evolve, the most effective countermeasure remains vigilance — both digital and human.
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A Collective Responsibility
Cargo security has become an industry-wide imperative, and no single party can address the threat in isolation. Importers, freight brokers, carriers, warehouse operators, and customers across the supply chain are tightening controls, strengthening data sharing, and re-evaluating how loads are monitored and verified.
For the food and protein sector in particular, investing in visibility and security isn’t just about loss prevention — it’s about protecting the confidence that keeps the food system moving.

*Source: CargoNet, “2024 Supply Chain Risk Trends Analysis.” https://www.cargonet.com/news-and-events/cargonet-in-the-media/2024-theft-trends/?utm_source=chatgpt.com