Canada PARS and Customs Invoices

DiamondinRuff · Mar 22, 2005

Hello everyone!

I have a question. I used to expedite 3 years ago and have decided to go OTR again. However, I've noticed many border changes since, so I'm a little nervous this time as I don't want to receive those $5000 fines they're handing out like flyers (at least from the US side).

When I used to cross from the US coming back to Canada, I just filled out the A8A form and went to the Broker for clearance, but the carrier I am with now is giving me the option to use PARS, which I heard will be mandatory in the future.

Now, I know you have to fax the invoice to the Broker from the shipper and wait at least 2.5 hours before crossing. From what I've been reading, you also have to get a photo copy of the customs invoice after placing the PARS barcode on it. Is this correct? If so, what if the invoice is many pages long? Do I have to photo copy every page or just the top cover with the barcode?

And secondly, why is it that you have to have a photo copy of the invoice? Couldn't you just hand the Officer at the primary booth the same invoice you faxed? And the BOL is what you hand into your carrier for POD as well as to get paid, so I was just wondering what the second invoice copy would be used for?

We were told in orientation to use the fax transmission for proof that you faxed the invoice to the Broker and we are also provided with fax cover sheets that show truck/license number, ETA, border crossing, etc.

Thanks to any who respond. I really appreciate the advice.

~DIR~

highway star · Mar 22, 2005

I can answer some but not all here. I don't know on the multiple page invoice. The copy of the invoice with the sticker is so you will have a stamped copy to turn into your office, just as you would a stamped copy of your A8A. The officer at the booth will keep the orignal. Lately they've been handing back both copies in some cases. I think it depends on what procedure the broker used to process the shipment. Best to always have 2 copies just in case. You don't need to show them your BOL.

DiamondinRuff · Mar 22, 2005

Thanks for the advice, Highway Star. That makes sense to me now. Maybe if it's a multi-page invoice, you only have to make a copy of the top sheet with the PARS sticker on it. I'll try it that way, should I run into a multi-page invoice. The company I'm with carries mainly auto production parts, so I think 90% of the time, I'll be clearing the loads with the A49 form and not have to worry about PARS. But I want to make sure I know what I'm doing for that 10% or so that may not be of an auto production nature.

Thanks again for taking the time to assist me!

RobA · Mar 23, 2005

Diamondin the Ruff.........basically the extra is for yours or the carriers files; like the stamped copy of the A8A.
PARS is the better way to go anyways.

DiamondinRuff · Mar 26, 2005

Thanks Rob,

Actually, I understand how it works without the PARS method (the A8A form, etc). I was just curious how it works for PARS (when you encounter a multi-page invoice). I know the invoice has to be faxed (with PARS barcode) to the corresponding Broker and that you should get a photo copied version of what you faxed so that you have two copies. For the photo copied version, I was just curious if you had to photo copy every page of the invoices (if multi-page) or if just the top copy with the PARS barcode on it was good enough for your second copy.

But thanks for answering.

Broompilot · Apr 3, 2005

All Right just great now we need two copies of A8A, Pars, Pass, Paps, kiss my but and what other form from the broker. Just park over there its only 9F below and a wind speed of 15 mph or 23 K. You have nothing better to log than just sitting without any extra pay for nothing.

AND MY POINT Being is we accept loads into this Country for NO EXTRA PAY some of you may be good at it but do you get paid???? Paid Extra for youknowledge??? Do you know of a Doctor or Lawyer or Mechanic who is better than the rest of his/her field that does not charge more for there knowledge??? I dont.

But we accept these circumstances and are forced to pay for a Fast card that does not work any better than Parrs or Pass at this time...
Knowledge is $ simply put but in this industry we seem to throw it out the window for anything to accept a load.

Tell you what its a whole lot easier to take a load from Columbia SC
to Milwaukee Than from Toledo to Markem Ont. Who do you thinks makes more and gets loaded back out faster???? Whats this business about anyway? The next load in my opinion all I care about out there is the saftey of my current load and whats next. But going to Canada changes everything including long delays for days possibly and a stress that only your wife or Doctor can remove out of your back......... Can I spell how far are you from either wife or Doc.

highway star · Apr 3, 2005

Broompilot, chill out dude! First of all, the huge delays seem to have improved a great deal. With everthing being set up in advance coming into the U.S., that has allowed most of the officers that were working inside to come out to the booths. More booths open allows for a smoother flow of traffic. It has been quite some time since I have seen a major backup. As far as into Canada, your A8A allready is a multiple copy form. When you're done the officer gives you back a copy. For PARS, simply make a copy of the invoice with your sticker on it. There is plenty of freight coming out of Canada, I would take that up with your carrier. As has been said here time, and time, and time again, why take yourself out of the loop on that freight?