Just passing through

CharlesD · Dec 23, 2008

Quick question here about a situation that I don't encounter that often. You pick up a load in the US and it's delivering in the US, but the shortest route is to cut through Canada. Does the carrier have to have any special permission from the Canadians or Canadian authority to just pass through like that, or can you just show your passport and your BOL at the border and be on your way? I've done a couple loads that picked up in Buffalo and delivered in Detroit and it would have saved me a few miles to go that way, but I didn't mess with it.

highway star · Dec 23, 2008

Nope. It's not just a simple drive through. Well, it is if you're set up for it, but...

x06col · Dec 23, 2008

They do have provisions for "just passing thru" i'm not sure what the officially call it. The process is just for Customs only. You will still need Authority to be on the roads. Down side of the process is as has been my experience - it takes about as long at the border as doing the regular Customs thing. Not really worth it for Buffalo to Detroit, but Seattle to Anchorage is anuther story.

Moot · Dec 23, 2008

x06col said:
Not really worth it for Buffalo to Detroit, but Seattle to Anchorage is anuther story.

Good one Col.!!!

I believe now when tripping through Canadian Customs will seal your box.

CharlesD · Dec 23, 2008

I've seen some loads to Anchorage lately, so that is kind of what got my curiosity up. I wouldn't mind running one of those in the summer, but I want to make sure I can do that legally if the opportunity comes up.

CharlesD · Dec 23, 2008

Moot said:
Good one Col.!!!

I believe now when tripping through Canadian Customs will seal your box.

How are they going to seal the box on a Sprinter?

Turtle · Dec 23, 2008

For "InTransit" loads through Canada, you fill out the In-Transit Manifest showing what all you are carrying and the ports of entry and exit. Canadian Customs will stamp the form upon entering and your box will be sealed. At exit, US Customs will stamp the form, and if they feel like it, inspect the seal and/or load.

For cargo vans, flatbeds, covered wagons and other assorted non-sealable vehicles, you write "Open Load" down there in the middle of the InTransit form.

JohnMueller · Dec 23, 2008

The carrier you are leased onto must be a "Bonded Customs Carrier" in order for you to do such a move under load.

Thanks,
HotFr8recruiter

RLENT · Dec 23, 2008

And you will need to fill out one of these - they are typically a no-carbon-required multi-part form and are provided by your carrier:

7512-B/A8B

CharlesD · Dec 23, 2008

HotFr8Recruiter said:
The carrier you are leased onto must be a "Bonded Customs Carrier" in order for you to do such a move under load.

Thanks,
HotFr8recruiter

I will make a note to mention that to the owner, but at present he is otherwise occupied. The lazy sucker is sprawled on the couch watching movies with his feet propped up and his phone on vibrate. Maybe I can get ahold of him Friday.