Canadian Border Crossing and Shipping to and from Canada
Many first time shippers are a little overwhelmed when
they have to deal with customs and clearance for the first time. It is a good
idea to employ a customs broker right away and they can help alleviate some of
the stress of shipping. It really doesn't have to be a source of stress and
hopefully we can help make the process smoother for you as well.
The first thing is to find out the value of your shipment
if you aren't already aware of that. When importing or exporting there is a
process for Low Value shipping that you can follow. If your shipment is worth
less than $2500 CAD you will qualify to go this route and not require a broker.
With this, all you need is an invoice with all the
pertinent information on it in regards to your load. This includes information
on where your items originated from, any serial numbers and a value associated
with your full shipment. You will also need a copy of the BOL (bill of lading)
for the carrier to produce at customs. If your load is more than $2500 CAD then
you will have to clear it with a customs broker. They do not have to be pricey
and there are several good brokers you can choose from starting as low as $30
USD. They will help you gather all the paperwork necessary to clear your load
at the border.
- Canada/US
Customs Invoice, or a Commercial Invoice also called a PROFORMA
- BOL
(Bill of Lading)
- Certificate
of Origin
- Shipper’s
Export Declaration
Another thing to remember is that the shipping time
quoted usually does not include any delays at the border so it is always best
to ship a few day early if the shipment is time sensitive. It is better to be
early than have a hold up at customs for several days and cause a load to be
overly late. We have used some fantastic brokers and I have compiled a list of
just a few that we can recommend. Let us quote you on your next shipment and we
can certainly steer you in the right direction to make your experience much
less complicated and smoother.
Here's a typical step-by-step after your freight is
picked up:
- The
carrier lets the customs broker know when they are scheduled to arrive in
Canada/USA.
- The
customs broker prepares a customs entry and sends it to the CBSA/CBP.
- The
driver reports to the CBSA /CBP office, usually a drive-up window at the
port of entry.
- A
CBSA/CBP inspector reviews the information and customs clears the
shipment.
- The
driver proceeds to delivery. For LTL, the driver will take the freight to
the destination terminal.
I have included some links below for a few brokers we have used in the past and can recommend. Happy shipping and please contact us with any questions.
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