US-Canada Cross Border Freight Shipping: 5 Documents You Need

You’re a US manufacturer looking to export your valuable cargo into Canada, or a Canadian getting your goods to the super-sized American market. You’re in good company; nearly $700 billion worth of goods gets shipped across the US-Canada border every year and every one of those shipments had paperwork. You’ve met 10,000 business challenges head-on before you ever got to this stage. The last thing you need is delays at the border over red tape.

Let’s go over the basic US-Canada cross-border shipping documents you’ll need:

1. Billhttps://www.freightera.com/freight/cross-border-shipping of Lading (BOL)
   The Bill of Lading (BOL) lists the goods that you’re looking to ship. Essentially, enter the shipper’s and receiver’s addresses, pertinent specifications like the size and weight and contact information as well as any other special instructions. Freightera’s system generates 2 copies of the BOL (1 copy each for the shipper and one for the driver), with fields for both parties to sign.
2. Proof of Delivery (POD)
   Essentially, the Proof of Delivery (POD) is the receipt portion of the BOL, which indicates whether the goods have been received in good order. The signature confirms the date and time of delivery. As soon as the carrier uploads a POD (proof of delivery) through Freightera, a notification is sent to the client that booked the shipment.
3. Commercial/Customs Invoice
   The commercial/customs invoice is effectively an invoice showing a full description of the shipped goods, including their value per item. Certificate of Origin
   As you would expect, this document shows where the shipment is originally coming from. This document is required in order to ensure accurate collection of customs duties according to NAFTA regulations.

Dealing with Extra Regulations for US-Canada Shipping

In a security-focused era, cross-border shipping regulations have become so complex that they require the expertise of a full-time professional. Fortunately, you don’t have to do all of this on your own. If you’re shipping across the border, you will likely use a customs broker. The broker should be well aware of regulations that may apply to specific kinds of shipments, helping facilitate this shipment with a minimum of red tape. As such, they may have certifications in some or all of these areas:

• U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)
• Partners in Protection (PIP)
• Free and Secure Trade (FAST)
• Certified Drivers
• Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)
• Advanced Commercial Information (ACI)
• Customs Self Assessment (CSA)

About Freightera

Freightera makes US-Canada cross border freight shipping easier. Get up-to-date tracking information, instant all-inclusive rates, automatically generate shipping documentation and speed up your order. Do your next shipment stress-free! Visit Freightera.