Step-By-Step Guide to Cross-Border Freight

As one of the world’s most open borders, the Canada/U.S. border is a veritable goldmine for trade, with over $700 billion in goods being shipped back and forth between the two countries. None of that happens without adherence to strict – and constantly shifting – regulations enacted on both sides of the 49^th parallel. Over 60 percent of that is moved via ground transportation along roadways in provinces and states, which means customs paperwork, carrier paperwork, security clearances, tariffs, and many more administrative and bureaucratic needs. To make sense of it all, here’s an overview of the steps required for shipping from Canada to USA.

Freight Shipping In Canada – How To Handle Freight Shipping From Canada To Us

The ultimate goal is the deliver flawless, stress free shipping to customers. That’s what 3PL providers hope to achieve. There are a few important things to know prior to putting the wheels in motions figuratively and literally.  First of all, documentation is vitally important.  You will have two governmental compliance organizations to satisfy – the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).  You don’t want to get on the bad side of either if you have desires of getting your load to where it needs to be. Even the slightest flaw in your documentation could send you back to your point of origin. No one wants to get held up at customs. They’re genuinely a surely bunch and not very forgiving when it comes to mistakes at the border. To avoid such hassles, it’s wise to hire a customs broker. You hire a dentist to fix your teeth; why not hire a customs broker when moving goods through customs. Both can be equally painful, but the customs broker can help you better deal with things like taxes, tariffs, and the nuances of American and Canadian customs laws. It’s also important to get the right customs broker. If you’re hauling food, medicines, electronics, or any other specific item, you want a customs broker who has expertise in that area. Finally, make sure you have a ground transportation partner with experience in cross border shipping. Your driver is your ambassador; your trucking company is your ally. Make sure you’re all in sync prior to rolling a rig up to that customs inspection station at the border.

Now comes the hard part of shipping from Canada to the USA – actually going through the border and customs clearance. Here are some steps you will undoubtably have to go through for a successful trip there and back. 

• Step 1: Preparation of the shipment. There are many elements to this. For starters you will need a business number before you can import or export any commercial goods in or out of Canada. Additionally, you will also need an Employee Identification Number obtained through the IRS when shipping into the USA
• Step 2: You have to clearly indicate what it is you’re shipping. This is helpful for tariff classification but also for providing customs people with clear, concise information on what’s crossing the border. There can be no surprises or no misunderstandings. Freight shipping in Canada is far less stressful when you follow this direction.
• Put your customs broker to work. You hired them to handle things like gathering and preparing documents, responding to customs concerns, and administering the process the entire way. If they’re good, they will earn their money.
• Identify the country of origin from which your goods came. Some products from some countries may not be allowed into other countries. Think British beef during the Mad Cow scare.
• Identify any permits, restrictions or regulations to which your shipment may be subject. Both USA and Canada have products they do don’t allow to enter the country. If you’re shipping guns and cannabis, chances are there’s going to be some issues. The CBP has strict rules in place for many agricultural products, arms and ammunition, food and drugs. The CBSA has a list of prohibited or restricted items including live animals, energy exports, cultural property, plants and seeds. Suffice it to say, both countries’ will want their rules enforced to the full extent with no exceptions.
• All your goods will have to be classified. This helps regulators on both sides identify the proper tariff to be applied to the shipment. Tariffs can change at the whim of governments despite both countries being part of the trade agreement. New governments have their own way of dealing with things.
• Determine duties and taxes. Once you have your classification number, you can start to develop a ballpark figure of what you might be paying. Federal taxes and fees vary depending on products being shipped. Some goods are subject to state or provincial taxes.
• Ship the goods. Unless you’re operating your own fleet of transportation carriers, you’ll have to place your order with a trucking company or perhaps an experience 3PL service provider. A 3PL like NATS Canada works with a vast network of carriers across both Canada and the USA. Working through your broker, you can have the 3PL submit all the requisite paperwork to ensure you are in compliance with customs required to get your shipment across the border.

Working with shipping companies in Toronto you can find a bonded carrier that can enter the USA or Canada from any customs service point. NATS Canada is a respected and experienced 3PL that can guide you through all these steps required to get your goods where they’re headed. Getting your goods across the border requires more than just a good shipping level. Work with the professionals at NATS Canada.