Customs Compliance Guide (CBP and CBSA)

This article is part of the Customs Compliance Guide

The BorderConnect Customs Compliance Guide is intended to provide basic knowledge to highway carriers who cross the border into Canada and the United States commercially and are looking for information on specific ports and specific compliance programs. For information on ACE Manifest, visit the BorderConnect ACE Manifest Software User Guide, or for information on ACI eManifest, visit the ACI eManifest Software User Guide.

For more advanced information on the process involved with getting started crossing the border, or to get set up for any specific customs compliance programs, visit BorderConnect Do-It-Yourself Customs Consulting, or contact BorderConnect toll-free at 1-800-596-5176.

Crossing Into the U.S. (CBP)

In order to cross commercially into the United States, the carrier will need to register with the Department of Transportation where the carrier must get a US DOT or MC number. Once a DOT number has been assigned the carrier must then register their company with National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA.org) to get a valid Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC).

Once the carrier has a valid Standard Carrier Alpha Code the carrier can then move forward in ordering barcode labels and processing ACE electronic manifests.

Below are helpful articles that cover the process of crossing commercially into the United States:

U.S. Customs Compliance Documents (CBP)

Crossing Into Canada (CBSA)

In order to cross commercially into Canada, the carrier will need to register with the specific provincial transportation authority as a commercial carrier. In Ontario this is done through the Ministry of Transportation with a CVOR or (Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration). Once a carrier and driver is registered with a CVOR, the company will then apply for a Bonded or Non-Bonded Carrier Code with Canada Border Services Agency. This Carrier Code is a 4-character unique company identifier for use with cross-border shipments.

Once the carrier code is valid, the carrier can then create barcode labels and register to process ACI eManifests.

Below are helpful articles that cover the process of crossing commercially into Canada:

Canadian Customs Compliance Documents (CBSA)

Trusted Trader Programs

Free and Secure Trade (FAST), is a joint initiative between CBP and CBSA designed to enhance border security while speeding up the processing of low risk shipments. Carriers that are FAST approved for the U.S. are able to transport FAST shipments, and are afforded special processing at the border including dedicated lanes and front of line line processing in the case of inspections.

Customs Self Assessment (CSA) allows for the clearance of goods imported by a CSA Approved importer and transported by a CSA Approved carrier. For a shipment to clear under CSA both the importer and carrier must be CSA Approved, and the driver must be registered with either the Commercial Driver Registration Program (CDRP) or the Free And Secure Trade (FAST) driver registration program.

Partners in Protection (PIP) is a cooperative program between private industry and the CBSA aimed at enhancing border and trade chain security. This voluntary program has no membership fee. It is designed to streamline and make border processes more efficient for low-risk, pre-approved businesses recognized as trusted traders.

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a voluntary public-private sector supply chain security program led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Through this program, CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security.

Do-It-Yourself Customs Consulting Guide

Crossing Into the United States

What are the steps I need to complete to start crossing into Canada as U.S. based highway carrier?

To cross into Canada commercially as a U.S. based trucking company or owner-operator, you must first operate under your own authority in the U.S. and be registered as commercial vehicle operator with either a US DOT or Motor Carrier (MC) identifier. If you have not registered for a US DOT or Motor Carrier Number, please click here for instructions on how to do so.

If the carrier or owner-operator does have a valid US DOT or Motor Carrier number, the next step is to get your authority to cross into Canada. In order to accomplish this two steps will need to be completed:

Register your company with a provincial transportation authority you plan to do business in. Please click here to learn how. Once you received your provincial authority, you can apply for either a bonded or non-bonded Highway Carrier Code with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). To learn how to register for a carrier code click here. To learn how to become a bonded Canadian highway carrier click here. Once you have completed registering for provincial transportation authority(ies) and also received an approval letter from CBSA for a bonded or non-bonded Highway Carrier Code, you can then register with an ACI eManifest Service Provider such as BorderConnect so you can process the required ACI eManifest when crossing into Canada with commercial loads. You will also need to order the necessary cross-border labels and documents that the customs broker and/or CBSA officer will need when arriving at the border.

Below are the following additional steps that will need to be completed in order to bring commercial loads into Canada:

Sign up to BorderConnect so you can file ACI eManifests with CBSA. You can register here. Or learn about ACI eManifest for BorderConnect and how it works by clicking here. Order PARS barcode labels and any other customs documents you may require when taking commercial loads into Canada. You can order PARS labels and customs documents and lead sheets here from BorderPrint.