Truck freight from the U.S. to Canada

The law doesn't require one: your business can clear its own goods. In practice, the release request has to reach the CBSA electronically before the truck arrives, or the truck waits at the border, so most importers use a licensed broker. You stay responsible for the declaration and the duties either way. Here is what doing it yourself involves.

ACI eManifest is the advance data the CBSA requires for every commercial truck entering Canada: the cargo, and the conveyance (truck, trailer and driver). The carrier transmits it at least one hour before the truck reaches the border (30 minutes for a FAST carrier), and a freight forwarder adds house bills when it consolidates shipments. You don't file it, but your broker's release request is tied to it, so the carrier and the broker must work from the same shipment details.

FTL (full truckload) gives you a whole trailer: it is loaded once and goes straight to your address. LTL (less than truckload) means you pay for part of a trailer, and your pallets travel with other shippers' freight through the carrier's terminals. LTL usually costs less for a few pallets but means more handling and more stops. When your shipment fills a large part of a trailer, ask for both prices.

It depends on the route, so no honest page gives one number. The distance, the carrier's terminal network, how often it sends a trailer across the border on your lane, and whether the customs release is ready before arrival all count. A missing document or a CBSA examination adds time. Our partner gives you an estimate for your lane with the quote.

Only goods that qualify as originating under CUSMA's rules of origin, and only if you claim it. Being shipped from the U.S. is not enough. To claim the CUSMA rate you need a certification of origin (not required for commercial shipments valued at CAD$3,300 or less, though you must keep records showing the goods qualify), completed by the exporter, the producer or you as the importer. GST still applies, and some U.S. goods, such as steel and aluminum, can owe Canada's counter-surtaxes; see U.S. surtax remission. More on proving origin.

Release Prior to Payment lets the CBSA release your goods before the duties and taxes are paid, against security you have posted with the CBSA. You then pay on your monthly statement. Without it, duties and taxes are paid at release. Since May 2025 a broker's bond no longer covers you. Here is how RPP security works.

The shipper, usually your supplier, prepares the commercial invoice and any certification of origin. The carrier moves the freight and transmits the eManifest. The customs broker sends the release request and the final accounting. The importer of record, usually your business, owes the duties and taxes and needs a business number with an RM import/export account.