Small US O/O Needs Cross-Border Info

Your best bet would be to call the windsor canadian customs and they will tell you what you need to do. I have not crossed the border by truck in 3 years so i dont know if its changed or not but i had to fill out a application for a carrier code aka PARS, once i got the assigned carrier code i was able to get the pars stickers printed out, you put those stickers on your bills and fax to the customs broker to clear the load via fax, i usually called the broker to make sure they recieved my paper work and everything was in order, then once i got to the border the customs agent just scanned the barcode on the pars sticker asked a few dumb questions, stamped the bills and i was off. It was not hard at all to do but they can explain it better and like i said im not sure if its changed any.

As far as crossing you will now need a passport to do so or birth certificate to prove citizenship, that is the only requirement. Oh and if you've ever had a serious felony convicition and it pops up on their computer screen they most likley wont let you cross.

 

You want to cross empty and travel east, exit empty and continue on to an east coast US shipper to pick up a load? My guess is they wouldn't want you doing that. (No real money in it for them?)

Sure would be nice driving Canada without having to deal with brokers eh? Let us know how that works out. It would be interesting...

Might be some good info here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

 

They recently put out a book for truckers explaining what to expect and what was needed to cross. As for "they" I think it is Michigan DOT. I heard about it on the Loading Dock on Sirius.

 

I read your message regarding cross border travel. I cross routinely for the American arm of CAT Trucking (Canadian American Transport) dispatched out of Concord, NC. Generally, when freight is simply passed through a country to another destination country a custom's bond must be posted at the border of entry in leau of a duty tax being paid. I run into this when I bring Mexican freight from the border of the USA-Mexico and pass it through the USA into Canada for delivery. The bond is placed at the USA-Mexican border through US Customs (a customs bond broker usually does this nitty-gritty work). When the load reaches the USA-Canadian border, the driver needs to go see USA Customs (before entering Canada - VERY IMPORTANT! - a fine if not) to have the custom's bond removed. A custom's bond guarentees that the goods make it all the way through the "transit" country (the USA) and are not sold without a duty tax being paid. All freight moving from one country to another requires a duty tax to be paid to the country the freight is entering and sold within (this duty tax is usually paid by custom's brokers who then charge their client the duty tax plus a subcharge fee for their custom's broker services). There are exceptions where no duty tax is paid for certain NAFTA exempt freight, however, the exceptions are very specific and a certification must accompany the freight bills to prove the exemption claimed. I have often wondered about the cost of fuel and tolls in the USA versus fewer miles and no tolls if freight was passed from midwest USA via Canadian highways to the eastern USA. It depends on the cost of the custom's bond to pass the freight through Canada, I assume (the bond is returned upon correct re-entry, however, there is a fee for placing a bond). Regarding empty travel, I believe US carriers could pass through empty, as long as they met the Canadian requirements for commericial trucking in Canada and found out the correct procedures from Canadian Customs. I believe I would contact the Canadian Customs people directly, they have a website and also various border locations. This is the best I can do. Be SURE and know your border procedures VERY WELL before attempting a cross. USA Customs entering back into the USA is a stickerler for procedures and correct paperwork (Canadian customs less so that way, most of the time...AYE! LOL!). Last, be aware that after June 1, 2009 a valid passport will be required for re-entry into the USA at all USA border points (until June 1, 2009 a valid "enhanced" driver's liscense and a birth certificate will do the trick, an "enhanced" driver's has a bio-chip or a hologram or both from the state of issue to prevent frauds). Good luck and be safe, please.

 

The empty part is real easy; roll up to the border, answer their questions and carry on. No paperwork (other than the everyday stuff you already carry and border compliant personal identification) or brokers required.