Latest news: A massive strike by customs staff has broken out at the Port of Manzanillo in Mexico, causing a severe decline in customs clearance efficiency and resulting in large quantities of cargo being stranded. As one of the busiest ports on Mexico's Pacific coast, it is currently facing a complete logistics disruption since the beginning of this week, with more than 5,000 trailers blocked daily and tens of thousands of tons of goods piling up in the port area.

Manzanillo Port strike scene Source: caribe peninsular

The strike was initiated by nearly a hundred customs staff, dressed in black, holding signs in key port passages to protest and demand better working conditions. According to slogans on site, Manzanillo customs positions have average shifts of more than 12 hours per day, and employees who refuse to comply with these conditions are even forced to resign. The strikers stated that if their demands are not met, they will block the port indefinitely.

As of press time, the strike is still ongoing. Industry insiders warn that although the port has not been completely closed, logistics flow has already been significantly affected. Cross-border sellers and freight forwarders relying on this port are in trouble, with a sharp increase in the risk of delivery delays.

Workers have blocked Manzanillo Customs Source: lasillarota

To make matters worse, Mexican ports are currently facing large-scale inspections. The inspection operation at Manzanillo Port, originally scheduled to end on May 18, has been extended due to the strike; Lazaro Port has announced stricter inspections of import and export goods starting May 20. This means that even if the strike ends, it will still take time for customs clearance efficiency to recover, and sellers should prepare for long-term delays.

This incident is not an isolated case. At the end of last year, 36 ports on the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico also experienced massive strikes due to labor disputes, involving 45,000 employees and affecting about 45%-49% of US import goods. Shipping consultancy Sea-Intelligence pointed out that even if the strike lasts only one day, the backlog of goods could cause 4-5 days of delays; if it lasts longer, the supply chain may not return to normal until 2025.

45,000 port workers strike on the US East Coast Source: Reuters

Besides strikes, unexpected disasters also pose threats to logistics. In April 2025, Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port suffered a major fire caused by a chemical explosion, destroying over 10,000 containers. As Iran's largest container port, this accident severely disrupted local logistics and trade.

Explosion scene at Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port Source: Xinhua News Agency

So, in the face of cross-border logistics uncertainty, sellers need to prepare emergency plans in advance:

1. Multi-channel layout: Avoid over-reliance on a single port or route, diversify transportation risks, for example, by diverting goods through Lazaro Port in Mexico or US West Coast ports.

2. Strengthen communication and monitoring: Maintain close contact with freight forwarders, keep track of cargo status in real time, and adjust logistics plans promptly.

3. Stock up in overseas warehouses in advance: Store goods in overseas warehouses before peak seasons to reduce reliance on immediate port clearance and shorten delivery cycles.

4. Insure to reduce losses: Purchase insurance for high-value goods to cope with possible risks of delay, damage, or loss.

The strike at Manzanillo Port is not over yet, and no one can predict what will happen next. But one thing is certain: in the global supply chain system, any problem in any link will trigger a chain reaction. What cross-border sellers can do now is to closely monitor cargo movements, prepare emergency plans, and not wait until the shelves are empty to start worrying.