Market Report · August 2026

Mexico Logistics Market Report — August 2026

Asia–Mexico drives EAX to $6,415/FEU (+21.4% MoM), the WCI closes the month at $4,473 after a $4,526 peak, Manzanillo’s ITAP improves while August TEUs are still unpublished, and electronic MVE is locked for October 1. How August closed — and what you need to move now.

Published August 31, 2026, with data closed that same day

Drewry WCI (global): $4,473-1%
EAX Asia-Mexico: $6,415+21.4% MoM
Manzanillo · TEUs: 2.46M+11.7%
FIX exchange rate: $17.0427

What matters

Asia-Mexico EAX closed August at $6,415/FEU (+21.4% MoM) — the highest since June 2024. Early September spot was already talking ~$8,000; book 3-4 weeks ahead. Source: info-transportes / Eternity Group Mexico.
Drewry WCI rose ~5.1% MoM (from $4,255 on Jul 30 to $4,473 on Aug 27), peaking Aug 20 at $4,526 (+4% weekly) before easing 1%. Shanghai-LA $6,818 and Shanghai-NY $9,333 at month-end. Transpac blanks: up to 10/week mid-month, then 4 by Aug 27. Panama Canal surcharges take effect in September.
Semar Jan-Jul (published in August): national 5.66M TEU (+4%), Manzanillo 2.46M (+11.7%), Lazaro Cardenas ~1.58M (+6.7%). Full August TEUs are not published yet. On T21 ITAP, Manzanillo improved to 9:34:30 (from 12:50 in July); Lazaro 11:17; Veracruz/Altamira worsened. Demurrage costs remain high.
Electronic MVE becomes mandatory on October 1, 2026 (SAT/ANAM release 53-2026). On Aug 31 the fourth advance version of the RGCE was published. This is not an endless extension: the calendar is no longer moving in your favor.
Border and macro: Uber Freight (Aug 24) flagged B-1 driver shortage in NL; Laredo outbound rejection fell from 12.24% to 6.93%; CBP extends World Trade Bridge Saturday hours to 19:00 from Sep 5, 2026. FIX moved from 17.2717 (Aug 4) to 17.0427 (Aug 28) — stronger peso. Auto 25% / steel 50% remain on; Ebrard/AmCham talks in August under the tariff-pause context.

Ocean

The WCI rose on the month and Asia–Mexico lit up the EAX. If you don't have confirmed space for September–October, you're already late.

Drewry composite index: $4,473/FEU−1%
EAX Asia–Mexico: $6,415/FEU+21.4%
Shanghai → Los Angeles: $6,818/FEU
Shanghai → New York: $9,333/FEU

August ocean freight climbed then eased slightly at month-end. Drewry WCI: $4,297 (Aug 6, +1%) → $4,339 (Aug 13, +1%) → peak $4,526 (Aug 20, +4%) → $4,473 (Aug 27, −1%). Versus Jul 30 ($4,255) MoM is ~+5.1%.

As of Aug 27: Shanghai–LA $6,818/FEU and Shanghai–NY $9,333/FEU. Transpac blanks: up to 10/week mid-month, 4 by Aug 27. Panama Canal surcharges take effect in September.

What rules for Mexico: EAX Asia–Mexico (Eternity / info-transportes) closed August at $6,415/FEU, +21.4% MoM —highest since Jun 2024—. Early Sep spot ~$8,000. Book 3–4 weeks ahead.

Want to know what Asia–Mexico is pricing at today, all-in? Ask us for a quote

Mexican ports

August TEUs are not out yet. We do have Semar Jan–Jul and an August ITAP that improves on the Pacific and worsens on the Gulf.

Manzanillo · TEUs: 2.46M+11.7%
National · TEUs: 5.66M+4%
Manzanillo ITAP: 9:34:30improved vs Jul

Data calendar: full August TEUs are not published yet. Semar Jan–Jul (published in Aug): national 5.66M TEU (+4%); Manzanillo 2.46M (+11.7%); Lazaro ~1.58M (+6.7%).

T21 ITAP August: Manzanillo 9:34:30 (from 12:50 in Jul); Lazaro 11:17; Veracruz/Altamira worsened. Demurrage remains high.

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Air

TAC BAI00 almost flat four weeks, but +18.1% YoY. Jet fuel +8.2% MoM. No public Asia→MX TAC.

TAC BAI00: +18.1% YoYnearly flat 4 wks
Jet fuel: +8.2% MoM

TAC BAI00 almost flat for 4 weeks through Aug 31, level +18.1% YoY. Jet fuel +8.2% MoM. We will not invent an Asia→Mexico TAC: quote with confirmed space.

Is the urgency real? We quote air with confirmed space. Write to us

Trucking & cross-border

B-1 shortage in NL, better Laredo outbound rejection, longer WTB Saturday hours from Sep 5.

Laredo outbound rejection: 6.93%from 12.24%
WTB Saturday hours: until 19:00from Sep 5

Uber Freight (Aug 24): B-1 driver shortage in Nuevo Leon. Laredo outbound rejection 12.24% → 6.93%. CBP: World Trade Bridge Saturdays until 19:00 from Sep 5, 2026. Secure drayage before ETA.

If your trucking comes from a separate provider and you end up chasing Carta Porte every time, we move it with the right supplement built in

Customs & regulation

Electronic MVE locked for Oct 1. Fourth advance RGCE on Aug 31.

October 1, 2026 — MVE mandatory electronically only (SAT/ANAM 53-2026). Without a folio, definitive import does not clear. Importer obligation. On Aug 31 the fourth advance RGCE version published. FreightSpot covered the extension Aug 1; you now have weeks, not months.

Cargo in transit and MVE not yet transmitted? talk to a FreightSpot expert

Trade & macro

Stronger peso at close. Tariff pause and Ebrard/AmCham did not erase 25% auto or 50% steel.

FIX exchange rate: $17.0427from 17.2717
Auto tariff: 25%still on
Steel tariff: 50%still on

FIX 17.2717 (Aug 4) → 17.0427 (Aug 28): stronger peso. Tariff-pause context + Ebrard/AmCham talks; auto 25% and steel 50% remain. Recalculate landed cost with EAX $6,415 / spot ~$8,000.

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What’s coming

Dates already published in the Federal Register — not forecasts. This is what’s coming at you.

October 1, 2026Value declaration: electronic onlyElectronic mandate takes effect (SAT/ANAM release 53-2026). Definitive import without a transmitted folio does not clear.This deadline has slipped before. That it moved is no reason to wait for a fifth extension: the day it lands, it lands for everyone.
September 2026Panama Canal surchargesAnnounced surcharges take effect. Quotes that transit the canal must carry them in the all-in from day one of the month.
September 5, 2026World Trade Bridge: Saturdays until 19:00CBP extends Saturday hours. Useful window for loads that today roll to Monday.
December 31, 2026Non-treaty tariff decree expiresTransitory articles set that date as the end of elevated rates on non-treaty codes. Don't assume automatic renewal.

What to do with all this

5 concrete moves, in order of urgency.

Book Asia–Mexico 3–4 weeks aheadEAX at $6,415 (+21.4%) and September spot near $8,000. Space and CRD beat the last dollar of discount.
Transmit a test MVE before OctoberElectronically mandatory Oct 1. Without a folio there is no definitive-import clearance. Extension 53-2026 has already been used.
Include demurrage and Panama in the all-inITAP improved in Manzanillo but demurrage stays high; Panama Canal surcharges hit in September. Freight alone lies.
Secure B-1 / drayage capacity on NL–LaredoB-1 driver shortage reported Aug 24. Lock the truck before ETA — not on vessel day.
Recalculate landed cost with FIX 17.04 and August EAXA stronger peso helps in MXN, but does not offset +21.4% on Asia–Mexico. Update Q4 costings now.

Sources

Every figure in this edition comes from public sources, with data as of August 31, 2026. Freight indexes move week to week: use them as a trend reference, not as a quote.

Past editions

Week of September 17Weekly Pulse — September 17, 2026Transpacific climbing into Golden Week, Manzanillo stuck on land (not at berth), and the electronic value declaration two weeks out. What moves your operation this week, in two minutes.

Week of July 31Weekly Pulse — July 31, 2026The US postponed the 30% tariff for 90 days, a storm shut down Manzanillo for 19 hours, and the electronic value declaration got a last-minute third extension. The densest week of the year, in two minutes.

Week of July 28Weekly Pulse — July 28, 2026The value declaration goes live Saturday, Mexico’s Economy Ministry opened two import proceedings, and the peso held steady. What changed this week, in two minutes.