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What Are The Steps I Need To Complete To Start Crossing Into The United States (DIY Customs Consulting): Difference between revisions

Created page with "{{note|This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide|info}} To cross into the U.S. commercially as a Canadian based trucking company or owner-operator, you must first operate under your own authority in Canada and be registered as commercial vehicle operator with either a Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR) or another provincial transportation authority. If you have not registered for a CVOR or any provinci..."
 
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{{note|This article is part of the [[Customs_Compliance_Guide_(CBP_and_CBSA)|Customs Compliance Guide]]|info}}
{{note|This article is part of the [[Customs_Compliance_Guide_(CBP_and_CBSA)|Customs Compliance Guide]]|info}}


To cross into the U.S. commercially as a Canadian based trucking company or owner-operator, you must first operate under your own authority in Canada and be registered as commercial vehicle operator with either a Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR) or another provincial transportation authority. If you have not registered for a CVOR or any provincial transportation authority, please click here for instructions on how to do so.
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If the carrier or owner-operator does have a valid CVOR or is registered with a provincial transportation authority, the next step is to get your authority to cross into the U.S. In order to accomplish this two steps will need to be completed:
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<h1>How to Become a U.S.-Bound Highway Carrier</h1>
<p>A step-by-step guide for Canadian trucking companies and owner-operators to obtain U.S. border crossing authority.</p>
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<span class="bc-article-pill"><i class="fas fa-truck-moving"></i> Type: Carrier Registration Guide</span>
<span class="bc-article-pill"><i class="fas fa-flag-usa"></i> Destination: United States</span>
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* 1. Register your company with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) or register to get your Motor Carrier (MC) Number. Please click here to learn how.
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* 2. Once you received your USDOT or MC Number, you can apply for a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) with National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). To learn how to register for a SCAC, click here.


Once you have completed registering for a USDOT or MC Number and also received an approval letter from NMFTA with a valid Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), you can then register with an ACE Manifest Service Provider such as BorderConnect so you can process the required ACE electronic manifest when crossing into the U.S. with commercial loads. You will also need to order the necessary cross-border labels and documents that the customs broker and/or CBP officer will need when arriving at the border.
<h2 style="margin-top: 0;">Overview</h2>


Below are the following additional steps that will need to be completed in order to bring commercial loads into the U.S.:
<p>Crossing the border commercially into the United States as a Canadian-based trucking company or owner-operator requires coordinating with multiple transportation and customs agencies. You cannot simply arrive at the border with a commercial load; you must possess the proper operating authority, unique identification codes, and electronic manifesting capabilities.</p>


* 1. Sign up to BorderConnect so you can file ACE Manifests with U.S. CBP. You can register here. Or learn about ACE Manifest for BorderConnect and how it works by clicking here.
<p>This guide breaks down the process into <strong>four mandatory phases</strong>: establishing domestic authority, obtaining U.S. safety authority, acquiring customs identification, and setting up your border software.</p>
* 2. Order PAPS barcode labels and any other customs documents you may require when taking commercial loads into the U.S. You can order PAPS labels and customs documents and lead sheets here from BorderPrint.
 
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<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">Phase 1: Domestic Canadian Authority</h2>
 
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<p>Before you can apply for international operating authority, you must first be legally registered to operate a commercial vehicle in your home province.</p>
 
<h3>Provincial Transportation Registration</h3>
<p>You must be registered as a commercial vehicle operator with your provincial transportation ministry. For example, in Ontario, this is known as the <strong>Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR)</strong>. Other provinces have similar safety fitness certificates (e.g., the National Safety Code or NSC number).</p>
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* <strong>Action Required:</strong> If you do not yet have a CVOR or equivalent provincial authority, you must apply through your local Ministry of Transportation before proceeding to U.S. registration.
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<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">Phase 2: U.S. Transportation Authority (FMCSA)</h2>
 
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<p>Once your Canadian authority is active, the next step is to gain safety and operating authority from the <strong>Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)</strong> in the United States.</p>
 
<h3>USDOT Number & MC Number</h3>
<p>Depending on the type of cargo you haul and your business model, you will need to register via the <strong>Unified Registration System (URS)</strong> to obtain your U.S. credentials:</p>
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* <strong>USDOT Number:</strong> A unique identifier that monitors your company's safety management, audits, and crash investigations. It is mandatory for all carriers operating in interstate (or international) commerce.
* <strong>Motor Carrier (MC) Number:</strong> Also known as "Operating Authority," this is required if you are a "For-Hire" carrier transporting federally regulated commodities owned by others across state or international borders.
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<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">Phase 3: U.S. Customs Identification (SCAC)</h2>
 
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<p>Having the legal right to drive a truck in the U.S. is not the same as having the right to cross goods through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For customs purposes, you need a specific identifier.</p>
 
<h3>The Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC)</h3>
<p>The <strong>[[National_Motor_Freight_Traffic_Association|National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)]]</strong> issues the SCAC, a unique two-to-four-letter code used to identify transportation companies.</p>
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* <strong>Why you need it:</strong> CBP uses your SCAC to track your shipments in their computer systems. You cannot file an electronic manifest or generate border crossing barcodes without it.
* <strong>Action Required:</strong> Once you have your USDOT/MC number, apply for your SCAC through the NMFTA. <em>Note: SCAC codes must be renewed annually.</em>
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<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">Phase 4: Border Crossing Tools (ACE & PAPS)</h2>
 
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<p>With your approval letter from NMFTA containing your valid SCAC, you are legally ready to set up the daily operational tools required to move commercial loads into the U.S.</p>
 
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<th style="width: 30%;">Requirement</th>
<th>Description & Action</th>
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<td><strong>1. ACE eManifest Software</strong></td>
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U.S. law requires all highway carriers to submit an electronic manifest to CBP at least one hour prior to arriving at the border. <br>
<strong>Action:</strong> Register with a CBP-approved service provider like <strong>[https://www.borderconnect.com/ace-e-manifest/index.htm BorderConnect]</strong> to transmit your [[ACE_Manifest_Software_User_Guide_(ACE_Manifest)|ACE Manifests]] securely.
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<td><strong>2. PAPS Barcode Labels</strong></td>
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The <strong>Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS)</strong> is the default method for clearing commercial goods into the U.S. Your driver must place a physical barcode (starting with your SCAC) on the customs invoice.<br>
<strong>Action:</strong> Order compliant, pre-printed <strong>[[PAPS_Sticker|PAPS Labels]]</strong> and customs lead sheets from a certified printer like <strong>[https://www.borderprint.com BorderPrint]</strong>.
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<h2 style="margin-top: 40px; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px;">Official Resources & Registration Links</h2>
 
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* <strong>Phase 1 (Ontario Example):</strong> [https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-or-renew-cvor-certificate Ontario Ministry of Transportation - CVOR]
* <strong>Phase 2 (FMCSA):</strong> [https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration FMCSA Unified Registration System (Get a USDOT/MC Number)]
* <strong>Phase 3 (NMFTA):</strong> [https://secure.nmfta.org/New/SCAC Apply for a SCAC Code]
* <strong>Phase 4 (Manifests & Labels):</strong> [https://www.borderconnect.com Sign up for BorderConnect ACE] | [https://www.borderprint.com Order PAPS Labels via BorderPrint]
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[[Category:Customs Compliance Guide]]
[[Category:Customs Compliance Guide]]
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