Hope all are doing well. I read much more than I post as I usually learn what I need by looking at posts rather than asking, but could use some help I could not find. Have a request to run staging equipment for some big singer into Canada. It's not through a broker, direct from stage co. and his customer "takes care of permits, etc." I can't just assume what I'm told is what I need, hit the boarder, and learn I'm stuck for not having this or that. Can anyone tell me what I need to run to Canada, drop freight for 24 hrs, pick, exfer freight to 2nd location for 24 hrs., pick again and then return it back to the US? Never ran to Canada and never thought I would but, within reason, I can name my price and get it. I will be fair as I do a lot of hauling for this guy, but need to know what is fair/what it will cost me in time and $$$.
Thanks in advance for your help. I see lots of good info from lots of smart people on this forum.

You will need a passport. I understand that you will now need a manifest to enter Canada from the U.S. Previously, we only needed a manifest when we entered the U.S. out of Canada. I would give OOIDA (Trucking Association, Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association) a call and see if they might be able to help. You can also call the provinces in which you plan on running and see if there are any specific requirements that they have for their area. Canadian provinces are much like our states. I would also suggest that you have your truck and trailer inspected prior to crossing the border, just in case something is not up to par. There was a requirement in the province of Ontario to have speed limited on trucks. I believe that is no longer the case, but you may want to check. Remember, their speed limit signs are in kilometers, not miles. So, if you see a sign that says 100, it does not mean that you can run at 100 mph. 100 kph is about 62 mph, as I recall. You should also make sure you have added those Canadian provinces to your IFTA and IRP. It has been several years since I have traveled across the northern border. Things keep changing. You will not be allowed to cross without a passport. There is also a passport card that is available. It will usually take several weeks to get your passport back. I would also suggest that you use a debit or credit card for purchases in Canada. Most businesses will accept U.S. dollars, but some won't. You get a better exchange rate using a debit or credit card.

Thanks GMAN! I may have to pass on the load as I don't have a current passport, although I think I might be able to get a expedited one in Seattle, not sure. I herd if I have my old pass port it my be easier. Will check on that. If I end up passing and can influence the owner with respect to who he can use I may be in touch with you for recommendations. It will be a good paying job. Being somewhat new to the industry I don't often have a way to "give back" and getting a decent guy a decent load would make me feel a bit more constructive to my "brothers in arms".

1) You need a passport or FAST card

2) You need a clean criminal record

3) You need PAPS stickers for entering the US

4) You need PARS stickers for entering canada

5) You also need the ability to do an electronic manifest for the US and Canada. I don't know how to set them up from scratch.

6) Not sure about authority/permits. Call and ask.

well remember you can drive 13hrs ,10hr off duty ,can be taken as 8hr in one block with 2hrs through the day.
and poster was talking about 1 drop pick up then to drop2 then back south.
interstating is not allowed up here ,same as us down south.
moneywise not so good as the likes of Bison transport run south for fuel money so they can get trailers into position for loading north.

Yup you better have a damn good rate going north. Probably more than half of the Americans that come north around here go home empty.

when you get to the can.jail do they feed you?

I agree with everyone about going into Canada.

No 1. Make sure you have enough hours to go into Canada and that you have enough to come out. It doesn't matter where you are going. Always run with the Hours of service as if you are in the US and you will be fine.

Depending upon where you are crossing, Canada can be easy or Hard.

I learned a few years ago, when going into Canada, it's pretty easy.
Don't have an attitude with them.
Have all manifest and proper paperwork they request.
Have your passport or passport card.
Never speed or do anything to get you into trouble.
Scale your load before going into the country.
Call OOIDA as mention to get weight limits and axle settings if possible.

For the most part, getting into Canada is easy.

NOW...

Coming back???? Is a different thing.

Same issues as above. Make sure you have enough hours to come across the boarder and then some. Sometimes the
boarder is crowded so leave yourself the most amount of hours to come across.

IF you are coming through Canada via Michigan, Be advised.

Some of the folks in the booths can be mean. I knew of a guy how came across the boarder with an attitude and he challenged a boarder officer because the officer would not show him respect. The job to get across the boarder is not about respect, it's about getting across the boarder.

Well, to make a long story short, the driver was escorted to the side of the terminal by 9 officers, removed from his truck, his truck was stripped, Matress and all personal belonging were placed (Lightly termed placed) on the ground. After being detained, and the company having to send a team to pick up the truck. He was left at the terminal with this stuff still on the ground.

All I have gone across that crossing several times and I had a Rottweiler with me. I politely told them I had him, he had all of his shots and approximate documentation I had it all there in hand. The officer asked to see the dog. We talked for about 3 minutes about dogs and I wasn't asked anything about my paperwork. I was let through without a problem.

The Bridge toll taker was another story. What a (Not a nice person) She game me more lip than the boarder agent. I just
kept a smile on my face, bit my tongue, laughed and was let though.

Crossing above Washington is easy. Don't set your airbrakes in the terminal. This will Cause some of the agents to become really angry. (I had to because our security lock on the truck started to leak right when I pulled into the terminal. Bad Bad day). The agent asked me If I saw the sign, and I apologized over and over. I stayed humble the whole time and was out of the terminal in under 2 minutes. There is a weigh station shortly after the terminal. We rolled into the weigh station, sidelined ourselves, walked into the station, told them the problem, told them how we would fix it and told them we would perform 4 back to back air brake tests. After fixing the problem, I walked back into the station and the agents all laughed and told me the never had anyone sideline themselves. The also told me because I did that and performed the test and they heard it, I wasn't a problem and for me to have nice day.
Return trip, long line getting back into the US. Showed passport and paperwork which showed we were empty. We had to exit the truck and the truck was xrayed. Upon entering the US, DOT is sitting right there for a rolling inspection. No problem. We had our inspection sticker on the window and we were told to pass them up.



Crossing over New York, we were pulled out of the truck, were told stay outside the truck as they inspected it.
Took about 20 minutes and we were allowed to cross the boarder. (have correct paperwork)
Returned with no problems at all. Show Passport and documents.


Crossing over Buffalo,NY Niagra Falls. HOLY CRAP. I was told to cross there but the paperwork was for a different terminal. I was detained for 4 hours til the paperwork got straightened out. No big deal. 6.2" blonde long haired pony tailed officer who I knew could put me down on the ground in less then a blink of an eye was the person I had to deal with. Very curt conversation, she was all business. She took care of my paperwork to get things straightened out. No problems.

Coming back into the US, I went through the Windsor bridge. No problems. (correct paperwork, passport and disclose anything the want)

BTW - I have heard you should not have any kind of pills that are not in the correct bottle. Vitamins, advil, anything. If they are not in the appropriate bottle, this could be a problem. Be nice to the officers, Let them into your truck if they want and do what they say and your day will be smooth and easy.

These are of course my experiences.

Okay so if I understand you correctly, you will not be looking for southbound freight to get you home? If that is true, you have already cleared one of the biggest hurdles.

Which brings us to customs clearance of the freight. Since the freight will be returning to the US, it is possible that the freight may be traveling on a bond or may be clearing customs in a special manner that *may* not require a PAPS or PARS like Allan has suggested above.......*maybe*.

ACE manifests for Canada bound freight have been postponed (again) until the spring.

I can't remember the last time I've gotten less than $3/mile for approx 500 loaded mile legal no tarp step deck freight picking up in the Baltimore area. It's been years. Don't know if that's good or bad but it is what it is.

If you're loading out of Baltimore is it a "dock" facility? If so the goods will move "in bond" through the US to Canada...which means the goods are NOT legally imported into the US and they are routed through the US to another country ie Canada. You MUST report to US Customs before exiting the US with copies of your bond and US Customs MUST sign off and stamp your bond. This is your proof that the goods did infact leave the US.

$1,500 is the prevailing rate from Baltimore to the Southern Ontario area.