The Fourth of July holiday weekend in the United States is historically considered a particularly attractive time for cargo thieves to strike. 

Fraud-monitoring and compliance specialist Overhaul noted that in 2026, Independence Day falls on a Saturday, which means some warehouses, distribution centers, and receiving facilities may observe the holiday on adjacent days. As a result, shippers and logistics providers should prepare for limited or altered facility hours. 

“Extended holiday weekends present heightened cargo theft risks,” Overhaul said. “Organized theft groups are increasingly active during these periods, often exploiting longer dwell times and reduced staffing to target unattended freight, especially high-value goods like electronics, premium apparel, alcohol, and cost-dense food products.”

Danny Ramon, director of intelligence and response at Overhaul, recommended that for over-the-road shipments, any stops made during the holiday period be in secured areas, with trailer doors backed to a solid surface, if possible. Immediate escalation, with a clear path to effectively engage law enforcement, is critical to recovering stolen cargo.

Separately, Verisk CargoNet said it analyzed 256 theft events that occurred between July 1–7 from 2021 to 2025 and found the highest activity on July 3. The company said the holiday risk includes both traditional theft of unattended freight and evolving identity-based fraud involving compromised phone systems, carrier accounts, and compliance platforms.

“The July 4 holiday creates a predictable disruption in the supply chain,” said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk CargoNet. “Cargo thieves understand when freight is likely to be parked, when facilities may be closed, and when normal verification procedures may be under pressure.”

California, Texas, and Illinois are among the states most targeted by cargo thieves, with non-alcoholic beverages, appliances, and electronics among the most popular items stolen.