For truck drivers hauling freight across from US to Mexico or vice versa, border inspectors are a crucial component of a quick, safe crossing. Recently though, 541 border inspectors, trained to check cargo for smuggling attempts, have been reassigned to work as border patrol agents. And this has left inspection centers bare.

Due to the sheer number of reassigned inspectors, truck drivers are experiencing major delays. Drivers often wait several hours and, sometimes, days just to cross the border with their freight.

(Note: Bring a portable toilet and other necessities if you’re making this trip. You’ll be doing everything, including sleeping, in line.)

And if truckers aren’t sitting around waiting, they’re often driving miles out of their way to find an inspection center that’s actually open.

Inspection Centers Closed Across the Border

Here’s how bad things have gotten: The only truck crossing in San Diego was forced to shut down 8 of its 10 lanes. Which means only 2 lanes are open at an inspection station meant to process examinations for 5 times as many truckers.

But hey, at least the San Diego station is still operational.

In Arizona, a major inspection station ceased operations. They were responsible for inspecting about 12,000 trucks a day. Nevertheless, the majority of their border inspectors were reassigned to patrol. This left the station unable to continue inspections, delaying truck drivers and costing them time and money.

Even the Bridge of the Americas isn’t immune. For the first time in its history, the famous crossing was forced to shutdown operations a few weeks ago.

What This Means For Truckers

With inspection stations shutting down or being understaffed, truckers are forced into a lose-lose scenario. Wait in line for an unknown amount of time, unpaid,or drive miles out of the way to a location likely to be in the same situation.A

Many truckers unwilling to put up with the delays are refusing to take on shipments to and from Mexico. If enough truck drivers on the ground stop doing runs across the border, trade between the countries will come to a standstill. This could cause manufacturers to go out of business, both in America and in Mexico.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about 6 million American jobs would be at risk if trade ceased between the two countries.

Worse, the reassignment of 541 border inspectors is just a start. In total, approximately 2,000 are to be reassigned to border patrol. Which means truckers should anticipate even longer delays in months to come.

So if you’re a long-haul trucker trying to make a profitable delivery across the border any time soon, be sure to bring your portable toilet.