From US Tax Wins to EU Border Fines: Political Lobbying Critical as Hauliers Face Global Shifts

The importance of political lobbying on behalf of hauliers by the RHA and its global partners, such as the IRU in Europe and the American Truckers Association (ATA) is becoming increasingly visible by some significant “wins” for the industry. On the eve of Americas Independence Day holidays President Trump announced a decisive piece of legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, which received a ringing endorsement from the ATA who have been pressing for some respite from the largest tax increases in the country’s history.

The trucking industry which employs some 8.5 million people, stated that the bill provided long term tax certainty and more flexible resources for workforce development that would ensure the road freight industry can “keep Americas economy moving”.

The bill is good for trucking companies centres around tax alleviation and growth stimulation for the SME carrier sector:

Equipment deductions - the bill restores the 100% bonus depreciation which some trucks and trailers are eligible for, helping growth for the smaller companies.

Inheritance tax exemptions for family businesses to pass on companies to their children, something that may strike a chord with UK family businesses.

Staying with the US, news the new requirement for driver English proficiency which came in on July 1st has reportedly seen nearly 200,000 trucks impounded or delayed as the drivers failed the roadside tests. The impact on rates has been immediate, with spot rates for loads ex Mexico jumping to $4 per mile as carriers show reluctance to risk moving loads across the border. In Laredo, cross border trucking between Mexico and the United States is central to the local economy and many drivers arrive in the U.S. on B1 visas. Laredo processes up to 18,000 trucks per day and this volume represents 40% of all U.S. – Mexico trade through a single border, almost double what Dover does for example and demonstrates the scale of the challenge for all sides.

Closer to home, the UK opted out of the Schengen area agreement in 2020, for the rest of the EU freedom of movement may still be a core principle but border controls have returned for hauliers as countries attempt to combat ever increasing problems with illegal migrants heading north, for hauliers this means one thing: eye watering fines for the smallest oversights. Germany, Poland, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden have reintroduced border checks to deter migrants, but is also being used for strict controls on hauliers’ documentation such inaccurate CMRS, Community Licences, Tachographs and technical issues with truck and trailer. Fines can run into thousands of euros, with each country applying its own fine values, the worst of all being for trucks found with illegal immigrants onboard, in Italy this can be 15,000 euros per person found, in France the total fine can be up to 75,000 euros. As a reminder the UK Border Force penalty is £6000 per illegal person found rising to £10,000 for repeat offenses.