Have Border-crossing times improved?

There are a lot of variables here . Are you talking U.S. to Canada or Canada to U.S. ? It differs with the ports also . I regularly run KY to Ontario , coming back empty . I run hazmat and always cross at Port Huron / Sarnia . Crossing into Canada is always easier unless the broker doesn't properly process the PARS . The waits are longer crossing back to the U.S. side . If traffic backs up U.S. Customs will take a lane away from trucks and give it to cars . It can take 2 or more hours to cross . Often if I am nearing Customs in late afternoon I'll take my break on the Canada side and go through Customs around 3 a.m. without delay .

 

Its a crap shoot , 1,000 ISLANDS,Cornwall , Quebec crossings at times you fly right through others theres delays.

 

Ft. Erie-Buffalo, has gotten better. I almost never wait, but than I cross before noon most days.

 

Tell us MORE

 

You are right.....I always call and make sure that my papers are faxed before I cross either way. SOMETIMES the custom broker agent can really drag things out one time the paperwork was faxed miniutes before I crossed back to the US and that was right before 5 pm est I had left my shipper about 5 hrs earlier. Yes getting into Canada has always been a breeze even 15 yr ago it ws easy getting into Canada but oh such a pain getting back to the US. I keep blank ACE papers to fill out and fax just in case and blank inward cargo manifest when I am comming back empty. That (ICM) does not have to be faxed ahead of time. I think it just depends on who you get at the window when ya cross back over as to how fast it will go and how smooth. BUT if the paperwork is not faxed ahead when you are loaded it is a nightmare no matter where and when ya cross. MAKE sure ya have the Pars stickers on the paperwork when ya have it faxed to go into CA and the paps stickers for when ya come back. Get extra ones from you company to have on hand.

 

Yes border crossing times have imporved but it is becuse there are less trucks waiting at the borders. There has been less and less freight moving across the borders lately I haven't been held up at the border for months.

 

I think over-all the border crossings are quicker on the average. Again time of day, customs alert level and economy will affect the border from day to day. The present economy has reduced cross border goods and the volume of cross border truck traffic. All you can do is go with the flow.

 

Yes border times have improved alot but possibly has alot to do with the volume crossing has decreased. Can to US @ Pt Huron has its share of backups. US to Can at the same crossing is alot better. Hey RickG we cross paths every week I go to BG KY every week.

 

Like everything, the boarders always have their ups and downs. I've stopped doing any cross border hauling mostly because I really got tired of being treated like a third class person with the US Customs. I'm sure that every driver out there has noticed the difference between their dealings with US or Canadian customs inspectors.

My favourite memory of US customs at Detroit.
I asked "Excuse me sir, I was wondering if you could help me?"
The reply I got was "Step behind the line. I did not say you could cross it."

Hmmm.... This certainly said to me, welcome to the US of A.