Discover the most common freight security threats and how to stay ahead of them.
One of my favorite podcasts is hosted by a woman who owns an online clothing brand. In one episode, she shared a crazy story about how she’d lost an entire truckload of merchandise. The shipment was supposed to go from her production partner straight to the warehouse she operates out of, but the roughly $150,000 worth of merchandise never showed. She reached out to the truck driver but was met with radio silence. The trucking company wasn’t able to track the driver down either. She filed a report, but the police told her there wasn’t much they could do.
Months later, someone tipped her off that her clothes were being sold on a live sales platform. She checked it out, and sure enough, there they were. Her proprietary designs. Her tags. Being resold by someone who had somehow gotten ahold of that missing freight.
Unfortunately, there was no happy ending to the story. She ended up buying back pieces of her own stolen collection just to get some of the product back in her hands.
Unfortunately, incidents like this are happening more and more frequently, across every corner of the supply chain. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, cargo theft accounts for $15–35 billion in annual losses. And things are only getting worse; one report forecasts a 22% increase in U.S. cargo thefts in 2025.
It’s not just about the cost of lost goods. Whether you’re moving clothing, tech, or consumer goods, freight security can massively impact your brand’s operations, bottom line, and reputation.
Freight security is the practice of protecting cargo throughout the supply chain—from storage in warehouses to the moment it reaches its final destination. It’s about defending against theft, damage, or loss and maintaining the integrity and reliability of logistics operations.
It’s easy to assume that a secure carrier or a vetted vendor means your shipment is safe. But theft doesn’t always happen in obvious ways or in obvious places. Here are some of the most common threats logistics teams are up against.
Luckily, the tools to combat these threats keep getting better and better. Here are some solutions that can help keep high-value freight protected from pickup to delivery.
Freight yards, warehouse lots, and drop sites are prime targets—especially overnight or during shift changes. Fixed cameras can cover high-traffic areas, but you need eyes in all the right places around the clock, which is sometimes easier said than done. Enter mobile surveillance units, which are especially useful for remote or temporary locations, or locations with constantly shifting needs. With real-time alerts, deterrent lighting, loudspeakers, and more, mobile surveillance systems help security teams spot suspicious activity early and respond before theft happens.
Freight theft often happens under the cover of darkness, so having visibility after hours is non-negotiable. Thermal and infrared cameras detect heat signatures instead of relying on light, which means they can pick up movement even in pitch black, behind cover, or in harsh weather. These cameras are especially effective in yards, remote storage areas, or any location where traditional cameras might struggle.
Not everyone should be able to touch your freight. That sounds obvious, but in practice, it’s easy for the wrong person to slip through the cracks. Access control systems make it harder for wrongdoers to be in places they shouldn’t. Think electronic locks on trailers that only open at approved locations, or ID scanners that track who enters and exits a warehouse. And if you’re using mobile surveillance units like we mentioned earlier, you can set up a virtual perimeter to keep eyes on all the comings and goings.
AI-powered systems can analyze data from video feeds, sensors, and access logs to flag behavior that looks suspicious—like someone pacing near a truck or entering a restricted area. And thanks to AI agents, some security solutions can even take immediate action, issuing personalized warnings like, “Hey, you in the red hat—you’re not allowed to be here. The authorities have been notified.” These systems can also help filter out the noise, distinguishing between threats and false alarms so that teams can focus on combating real risks.
Investing in the right security solutions is half the equation. The other half is knowing how—and when—to use them. These prevention strategies can help you stay ahead of risks and make smarter, more secure moves from origin to destination.
Varying delivery schedules and routes for high-value freight make it harder for theft crews to anticipate when and where cargo will be. Avoid known theft hotspots whenever possible, and build breaks into routes at vetted, secure locations with lighting, surveillance, and a physical security presence.
Make sure dispatch, warehouse staff, drivers, and your security team are working from the same playbook. Everyone involved in moving freight should know the protocols, red flags, and escalation paths if something seems off. And when thefts do happen, coordinating with law enforcement, third-party monitoring services, and task forces can help speed up investigations.
Whether you’re managing a busy warehouse, coordinating third-party logistics, or running your own fleet, LVT is here to help. Our mobile surveillance units are designed to adapt to shifting needs and dynamic environments, giving you the flexibility to secure freight yards, drop sites, and temporary locations without relying on built-in infrastructure.
Want to learn more about how LVT can help keep freight safe from origin to destination? Contact us for a demo today.
