How freight moves from the US to Canada
This is a road lane. Full truckloads and LTL shipments run straight across the border on the same trailer, rail carries containers and bulk between the two networks, and couriers handle parcels. Ocean freight only makes sense for unusual moves such as the Atlantic provinces from the US Gulf. That is why the calculator flags this lane as land-based: use it for duty and taxes, and the freight class calculator, pallet calculator and cost per mile calculator for the truck move.
| Crossing | Route | Typical traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI – Windsor, ON | Ambassador Bridge | Michigan, Ohio, the Midwest to southern Ontario |
| Port Huron, MI – Sarnia, ON | Blue Water Bridge | Michigan and Chicago to Ontario |
| Buffalo, NY – Fort Erie, ON | Peace Bridge | New York, Pennsylvania and the Northeast to Toronto |
| Lewiston, NY – Queenston, ON | Lewiston–Queenston Bridge | Northeast to the Golden Horseshoe |
| Champlain, NY – Lacolle, QC | Interstate 87 / Autoroute 15 | New York and New England to Montreal |
| Blaine, WA – Surrey, BC | Pacific Highway | West Coast to Vancouver |
| Sweetgrass, MT – Coutts, AB | Interstate 15 / Highway 4 | Rockies and the Southwest to Alberta |
| Pembina, ND – Emerson, MB | Interstate 29 / Highway 75 | Midwest to Winnipeg |
US LTL carriers price cross-border shipments with the same NMFC freight class they use domestically, usually with a border fee and a customs-brokerage charge on top. Many hand off to a Canadian partner at the border, so ask whether the quote is single-carrier door to door.
Canadian customs at the border
- eManifest. Highway carriers must send CBSA the conveyance and cargo data electronically at least one hour before arriving at the border. No eManifest, no crossing.
- PARS. Most commercial truck freight is pre-cleared under the Pre-Arrival Review System: the customs broker sends the release request ahead, and the driver carries a PARS barcode on the paperwork.
- CUSMA origin. Goods that qualify as originating under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement enter at preferential rates, usually free. Origin is claimed with a certification of origin containing the required data elements; it can be on the invoice. Goods merely shipped from the US, but made elsewhere, do not qualify.
- Courier thresholds. For courier shipments from the US or Mexico, no duty or taxes are charged up to CAD 40, and no duty (but GST/HST) between CAD 40 and CAD 150. Above that, normal duty and taxes apply.
- GST/HST. 5 % GST, or HST of 13 % or 15 % in the harmonized provinces, on the duty-paid value.
- CARM. Canadian importers of record need a CARM Client Portal account, and their own financial security for release prior to payment.
If you are a US seller shipping to Canadian customers, decide who is the importer of record. Shipping "delivered duty paid" means you, or a non-resident importer arrangement through your broker, handle Canadian customs and GST registration.
Mistakes on US–Canada shipments
- No broker lined up. Trucks wait at the border while paperwork is sorted out. Name the customs broker on the bill of lading.
- Vague commercial invoices. CBSA needs a full description, quantity, value, country of origin and HS code for every line.
- Assuming everything from the US is duty free. CUSMA covers originating goods only.
- Forgetting provincial tax. Delivery to Ontario means 13 % HST, not 5 % GST.
Questions shippers ask
How long does shipping from the USA to Canada take?
Truck freight between neighbouring regions often crosses in a day or two; coast-to-coast LTL takes about a week. Courier parcels usually take two to six business days.
Do I pay duty on goods shipped from the USA?
Not on goods that qualify as originating under CUSMA. Non-originating goods pay the normal rate, and GST or HST applies to both.
What is the duty-free limit for parcels from the USA to Canada?
For courier shipments from the US, CAD 40 for duty and taxes and CAD 150 for duty. Postal shipments use the general CAD 20 threshold.
Do I need a customs broker to ship to Canada?
Not by law, but nearly every commercial shipment uses one to send the PARS release request and account for duty and taxes.
Sources
Rules checked: November 2026 CBSA eManifest, CUSMA low-value thresholds and CARM rules checked November 2026. Tariff measures between the US and Canada have changed repeatedly since 2025; check the current Customs Tariff.
Rates, fees and the rule pages behind this tool are checked automatically twice a week; last check 3 November 2026.