Loads to Canada

I cross the border twice a week.

No weapons as mentioned. I fax my paperwork to the broker on the day I load in the states. That way, they have plenty of time to get their end of it ready before I get to the border. I state which border crossing I am taking, and the time I plan on crossing and I attach my PARS sticker to the paperwork and fax it to them. Not sure if you guys use PARS stickers???

If you have done the paperwork end of it before hand, the crossing is usually less than 5 minutes at most western canada/US crossings unless they decide to do a search. I've always had a decent time dealing with the Canadian side.....but the US side has sure done their share of cab searches on me. I'm assuming since you're an american citizen you will have the opposite happen to you. Canada might be tough on you whereas the American side will be a breeze coming back.

If you're coming into Alberta, or BC.....then welcome to a beautiful area of Canada. If you're coming into Ontario or Quebec....get ready to see Canada's nasty butthole. LOL

 

It's 600 miles from our terminal in KY to London . I usually have enough hours to make it to Woodstock . I usually hit Port Huron around 4:30 p.m. . The Supercoops on the 402 have never been open when I pass them . I have spent the night at the border a couple of times when delayed by a failed PARS .

 

I have only been through there once since the super coop was opened. I normally run the western Canada.

Our terminal is in Elkhart, IN. Not very far compared to yours.

 

Is Livingston your broker ? They have a fax cover sheet on their website to use when faxing your PARS . I fill out most of the info and make copies of it just adding the date and weights the day I send it . I fax from the shipper and it usually clears within 4 hours . I always put my ETA an hour and a half before I expect to be at the border so Livingston will submit it sooner .

 

Do not tell them that a pocket knife is not a weapon. I did, I had a bad day and spent all day at a border crossing just to be told that my paperwork was at a different border crossing. Everytime I go into canada now I get pulled in for secondary questioning. The last time I crossed I was coming into the US and the crossing took less than 15 minutes start to finish which to me was quick.

 

I've dealt with a dozen or so various brokers with this company. I've dealt with Livingston a fair bit. I usually put my pars sticker on my BOL, and write beside it my ETA, planned crossing, and my phone number in case there are problems. It's been pretty quick and painless.

 

I try to stay out of there anymore. It's not worth the hassle for most of us. The only drivers who seem to have a good time are the regulars.

 

If you're going to be in Canada on a regular basis I would recommend exchanging some money at a bank. As a Canadian who crosses into the US every week I find it much easier to carry both currencies.

A very important point I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned yet is speed limiters. Like it or not both Ontario and Quebec require trucks to be governed to a maximum of 65 mph. I'm not sure when but the 'soft enforcement' for this recent law ends very soon.

HOS are a little different up here. For the most part if you follow US rules you will be fine but read up on them.

 

The Speed Limiter Law has a 6 month soft enforcemenet period that started January 1 .
Important differences in the HOS . Canada requires a 36 hour restart . Don't go in there after just taking a 34 hour restart . They also require you to have logs for the past 14 days . After working 14 days straight you must take 24 hours off .