Transiting Canada - rules, regulations and is it worth it?

I can save a lot more than $75 by running thru the US to get to western Canada. The paperwork keeps me out of the US and running north around the lakes. I would assume you have the same considerations.

 

The potential for delay and possibly impoundment (or at least opening and inspecting) would make me wary of this. If your shipment doesn't originate or end in Canada, your customer might be irked to find it's been opened by CBP, or delayed re-entering the US (I have never had any issues with anything on the Canadian side).

What tolls are you looking to eliminate anyway? I am assuming you're coming from somewhere in western NY headed for Michigan...

 

Your company needs to have a bond number and in transit manifest. You get a seal before entering CA at customs booth have manifest stamped by CA customs then go to US custom give them the In transit manifest they check seal and stamp manifest make sure you get it stamped both sides and you are back in the US. Very easy and fast to do. You must have pass port. You will not save that much money unless you are doing this daily. Will have to pay 25 to 40 in bridge tolls 10.75 custom fee. Plus lost of time about 1 1/2 hour border crossings is pretty much normal. You have saving in highway tax for IFTA. I would only do in transit from Maine to Detroit only time it really save me money. If you doing this run daily then you really need to get this setup. If this only 4 or 5 times a year it not worth it. Oh forgot you need to know the dollar valve of the load for the in transit manifest. I have done alot of loads in and out of CA you need to have perfect logs and have 8 day 70 hr figure out. Also have speed limiter set on truck to 65mph or 102km. If you get pulled in a scale you will be check they do not play games. Fines are in the thousands.

 

I'm going from Watkins Glen, NY into the LP of Michigan. Routing through Canada saves 95 miles and the ~$37 OHTP toll. It's looking like the Canada tolls, re-entry fee and border crossing delays make this idea a non-starter for this one time trip.

Thanks for all the info, folks!

 

http://law.justia.com/cfr/title19/19-1.0.1.1.22.5.html

 

It's 105 kph, not 102. Which still ends up to a hair over 65 mph. They do however allow for a few kph margin for error as a simple change in tire size can give you an extra 2 kph on the top end. Just don't get caught doing anything over 67 mph, even then at 67 you're taking a risk.

 

Ah, my neck of the woods (I live down nearer Binghamton). Salt from Cargill?

 

Dry van, delivering a partial load of bags for retail packaging of the salt. I'm usually hauling the salt OUT of here; this is the first time I've brought something in.