Entering The U.S. As a Commercial Truck Driver: Customs Clearance Tips

Canada and the United States have a very successful trade relationship, thanks to their proximity and the border they share. However, cross-border trucking is a complex process which requires careful planning. Trucking across the border is not as straightforward as one may think, as you also have to ensure that you have the required paperwork and you are allowed to enter the country. U.S. and Canadian trucking regulations are similar, but there are some differences to watch out for when crossing the border. Here's how you can prepare for your trip—and avoid costly fines or delays.

Trucker Requirements

Truckers who plan on entering the United States to pick up or drop off loads need to abide by certain requirements. Immigration regulations require foreign truckers to meet a certain criteria in order to be admissible into the US as a B-1 visitor, which is the category for business pick up or delivery of cargo. Truckers must meet the following requirements, in order to qualify for admission into the US, as a visitor for business:

• Intend to leave the US at the end of their authorized temporary admission period.
• Have residence in a foreign country which they do not have intent to abandon.
• Have the financial means to carry out your business and purpose in the US, and leave when your job is completed.
• Establish that you are not inadmissible under grounds such as health, criminal record, subversive, improper manner of arrival, improper documents, or other immigration violations.

For your personal admission, in addition to documents for your cargo, truckers will also need to carry certain documents for themselves, including a photo ID. You need two forms of ID with you, at least one with photo, and citizenship proof.

Canadian drivers currently do not need a passport or visa, but may need some supporting documentation to prove their admissibility. Birth certificate or citizenship certificate may suffice as a supporting document for Canadian citizens. Mexican residents would be required to present their passport and non-immigrant visa.

Cargo Requirements

In order to avoid delays at the border, you will need to prepare your paperwork and have it ready when arriving at the border. For goods heading into the US, there are two main types of entries; formal and informal. Most goods transported across the border would be formal entries, because shippers usually send large quantities or high value goods.

Goods valued over $2500 USD require formal entry. The formal entry process requires that all relevant paperwork accompany the shipment and that the ACE eManifest is submitted minimum one hour before arrival, for review. Higher value goods will require an eManifest filing, formal entry and all the appropriate paperwork. While lower value goods don’t require formal entry, they do need to be manifested. 

All documentation needs to be fully completed and checked for any errors, in order to avoid issues. When coming into the U.S. some of the documents you will also need:

• Bill of Lading
• US Customs Invoice
• 17-point Inspection Copy
• SCAC Code
• Entry Manifest
• Certificate of Origin
• Importer ID Number
• Additional Permits or Licenses, when applicable. 
  
  

One of the most common reasons for delay or denied customs clearance at the border is due to documentation errors. In order to avoid issues with customs, you can use Zipments for your clearance process. We’re on a mission to simplify customs clearance and make global trade faster, easier and more cost-effective. Zipments uses the latest technology to simplify border crossing, and is a one-stop shop for your customs clearance needs, including: 

• • Customs Invoices

  • PAPS Labels and Tracking

  • Customs Broker Directory

  • Streamlined Communication Between Broker, Shipper and Carrier

    
    
    
    

US Cross-Border Process

When goods arrive at customs, the importer of record should be notified, as they are responsible for filing entry documentation for the shipment. The importer of record can be either the customs broker, exporter, or the buyer. Duties and fees will need to be paid on the goods before they can clear customs. Goods can also be sent to a bonded warehouse if you are deferring the duty and fee payment, but this must be arranged ahead of time. The customs broker would usually file the information and take care of payment of duties and fees, with customs.

At customs, goods are examined for validity of labeling or marking, as well as checking if the paperwork matches the goods themselves. The value of the goods, the content and validity of the invoice will be examined by customs, to make sure everything follows regulation.  The goods are checked to make sure there are no prohibited goods and that the customs invoice reflects the products in the shipment. If all the paperwork is good, then you can easily clear customs. 

Avoid Potential Violations

The United States has very strict rules regarding conducting business on US soil, and you will need to follow "cabotage" rules. Foreign drivers cannot come to pick up and transport goods within the United States, they can only bring goods into the US, to one or several locations, and pick up goods for delivery to Canada or Mexico. You cannot solicit return loads while in the US.

Drivers also cannot drive empty trailers from one location to another, unless it is the trailer they came with or the one they are departing the US with. While you can help load or unload the goods in international trade, foreign drivers cannot engage in any other work that can classify as labor for hire within the US. Your entry into the US has to be for the purpose of movement of international goods.

Hours of Service (HOS) rules also vary slightly between US and Canada, so you will want to ensure that you follow log book rules for the US, while in the United States, and that you meet ROD status requirements. In the US you are allowed a period of 14 consecutive hours, in which you can drive up to 11 hours after being off-duty for 10 or more consecutive hours. You can find a detailed outline of HOS differences on the FMCSA website. Drivers are subject to record of duty (RODs) status requirements as well. You need to have RODs for the current day and past 7 days, available for inspection.

FAST Program

If you participate in the FAST program, then you can expedite your border process by having your FAST card at the border in the dedicate lane available for cardholders. The lanes as of now can be found at:

• Windsor ON/Detroit MI
• Emerson, MB
• Sarnia ON/Port Huron MI
• Fort Erie, ON
• Pacific Highway BC/Blaine WA
  

If you are not a FAST cardholder, you can still expedite your customs clearance process by using Zipments.

The easiest way to avoid customs issues is to prepare your paperwork beforehand. Errors are more likely to occur if you are manually filling out your paperwork, which is why the Zipments technology allows for faster document preparation and greater chance of accuracy.

✔️The Zipments Customs Invoice Form uses AI technology to generate your tariff or HS Code, so that you avoid mistakes on your invoice. 

✔️ You can share info and status updates between broker, shipper and carrier, for easy and streamlined communication throughout your process. 

✔️ Real-time PAPS tracking allows for increased visibility and more control over your customs clearance process.  

With new technology and border security, it's more important than ever to be prepared before you cross over into the US. Before you head out, make sure you are prepared with all of the necessary documentation and understanding of regulations. We can help you clear US customs in less time. Couple the convenience of our online tools with the trusted team of industry experts at Zipments, and you'll be able to save time and money on customs clearance.