If the post-pandemic years have taught us anything, freight theft is complicated, erratic, and growing.
As the freight theft industry has grown to a $35 billion plague, trends for targeted products have emerged. Knowing which products are most susceptible to theft can help carriers be prepared when moving high-risk freight.
Here are the top five products most targeted by thieves in 2025.
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Electronics
Up to 40% of all stolen freight is comprised of electronics. When the value and ease of illicit reselling are considered, it’s easy to see why.
When criminals successfully steal electronics, they profit an average of $214,104—an enormous margin for a business with little overhead. The most common products stolen are audio devices, servers, and, more recently, tools for cryptocurrency mining.
Carriers hauling loads of electronics should exercise extreme caution and scrutinize anything suspicious in the transportation process.
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Household Goods and Appliances
In recent years, household goods and appliances have exceeded electronics in popularity among freight thieves.
Furniture, power tools, and kitchen appliances are the most common products targeted. Uniquely, these products are most frequently stolen during final-mile delivery when a shipment is unattended.
For carriers hauling these loads, take special care to review the security of your trailer to avoid becoming a victim.
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Food and Beverage
Perishable goods have been increasingly at risk of theft in the last year, rising 33% from 2023 to 2024.
Avocados, nuts, and protein supplements are most frequently targeted for their yield per incident. The average almond theft, for example, averages $180,000 in margin.
Carriers hauling food and beverage should be on guard when patronizing California, Texas, and Florida, the food and beverage crime hubs.
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Raw and Finished Materials
Copper theft has increased dramatically due to the global price hike. On average, a thief can steal a copper shipment with $264,016.
Tragically, copper heists are often conducted with insider knowledge, that is, employees being in on the crime. This can make the theft of raw materials especially hard to detect.
When shipping raw or finished materials, be suspicious of anyone who seems amiss on-site.
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Pharmaceuticals
Like copper, pharmaceuticals have also seen an uptick in theft, rising 17% in 2024.
With the advent of more accessible pharmaceuticals through e-commerce, medications, vitamins, and cosmetics are some of the most stolen products in the industry. They’re a valuable commodity, with a shipment of Ozempic stolen for $1.2 million in damages in 2024.
For carriers moving pharmaceuticals, being scrupulous at the docking bay is essential. This handoff from supplier to carrier is where most pharmaceutical thefts occur.
Freight theft is a constantly evolving industry and, for obvious reasons, one of which there is little data. Knowing the most common products freight thieves target can help carriers prepare for moving high-risk loads.
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