Canada 1st Canada Load

dhalltoyo · Sep 12, 2007

I have always been apprehensive about Canada loads.

After sitting a day I got an offer I couldn't refuse.

The shipper did everything; prepared the PARS paperwork, faxed the broker and confirmed with a phone call to the broker and away I went. 692 miles!

Crossed at Alex Bay about 4:30am. Not a truck in sight. Handed my two copies through the window. He asked me three questions, stamped my paper and said, "Have a safe drive."

Dropped off at the consignee, called headquarters for an E-Manifest (Cover Sheet - going back empty) and they faxed it over to the consignee's fax in 5 minutes. Consignee bought the fax to me and headquarters notified them of my return crossing time.

Went back through the American side at Alex Bay. Stopped at the window and he asked me one question, "What's in the truck?" I answered, "Nothing sir, left it in Canada." He laughed, "You can't make any money that way." He then said, "You are clear have a nice day."

Wow! Both ways it was quicker than going through the drive-up window at Dairy Queen. I mean less than one minute!!!

Needless to say, I'll take that run again!!!

are12 · Sep 12, 2007

Canada isn't that bad, as long as all your paperwork is in order.:+ :+

greg334 · Sep 12, 2007

"Handed my two copies through the window."

David,
Last Friday when I crossed and for the first time I was told in no uncertain terms that I was ever, ever to hand a Canadian officer two copies of a manifest for any reason. She wasn't rude but firm with her 'instructions'. I did get both stamped and she slammed the window without saying anything else.

I have made a couple mistakes before, never to be 'yelled' at except one time but this time she really made me nervous about it.

Will I only hand them one next time?

No, one crossing like this out of a hundred or so does not mean a tule change to me.

Glad your first visit was pleasant.

Crazynuff · Sep 13, 2007

I always come back empty and never had to bother with an E-manifest . I use a fax cover sheet from Livingston that makes reading all required info simple . I hand customs this cover sheet , the manifest and customs sheet along with my driver's license . They stamp the cover sheet and send me on my way . Do you call the broker enroute to assure customs has cleared you ? I only call to confirm the fax has been received . If there is a problem with the PARS customs will just tell you to park and go to the broker's office . This is preferable to parking before you reach the border and having the broker tell you the PARS hasn't been accepted yet and they'll call you when it's ready . They have told me this on several occasions and I proceeded to the border anyway . As often as not customs shows the PARS approved even though the broker never called back and let me know .

Lawrence · Sep 13, 2007

David,

I think you hit the nail on the head. It's all about having your paperwork in order and keeping calm. I think it's easier to haul freight into or out of Canada than take go through security at any airport in the US.

IMHO.

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com

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I hate the country, all those animals walking around un-cooked.

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are12 · Sep 13, 2007

Greg,

We always hand them 2 copies, haven't been told anything different, yet. But we all know how things change in an instant.

barney · Sep 13, 2007

Unless things have changed lately, Canada is easier than Arizona. One driver didn't know what a cab card is and was held up for a few hours. To make it worse the dispatcher didn't know either. The dispatcher knew I had just gone through and asked me what it is. Kinda makes one wonder.

RobA · Sep 14, 2007

> . Do you call the broker enroute to assure customs
>has cleared you ? I only call to confirm the fax has been
>received . If there is a problem with the PARS customs will
>just tell you to park and go to the broker's office . This
>is preferable to parking before you reach the border and
>having the broker tell you the PARS hasn't been accepted yet
>and they'll call you when it's ready . They have told me
>this on several occasions and I proceeded to the border
>anyway . As often as not customs shows the PARS approved
>even though the broker never called back and let me know .

I'd like to offer a couple of comments.
First; providing your papers are in order there shouldn't be a problem at Customs. Call the Broker by all means but only expect to find out if they received your fax OK. Ask at that time if the papers look OK or if something is missing.
Please don't expect a call back from a broker; there isn't time or staff for that service. Things will get worse after 15 October when paper PARS are not longer accepted but an electronic entry submitted. Most of the info will have to be typed and submitted up front at that time.

P51bombay · Sep 16, 2007

An Emanifest is not required if you are empty.

dhalltoyo · Sep 16, 2007

Dropped off at the consignee, called headquarters for an E-Manifest (Cover Sheet - going back empty) and they faxed it over to the consignee's fax in 5 minutes.

Correct!

My apology for not using verbiage that correctly stated it only requires a cover sheet coming back empty.

P51bombay · Sep 18, 2007

If your truck is empty you don't need any kind of paperwork coming back to the US, just your ID and $5.75

nobb4u · Sep 18, 2007

Actually most expediters are not coming back empty especially if you are White Glove unit or an Elite Services unit, you carry what are called "International Tools of Trade", and all that stuff in the back of your truck means you are not "empty". So that container of straps, those bars, the pallet jack, pads and also the container you carry your extra clothes in need to be declared and listed on a "Inward Cargo Manifest" all this being pursuant to Section 10.41a. As I was told by the U.S. Customs agent at the Vancouver, BC crossing.

pelicn · Sep 18, 2007

Again, seems every border crossing is different. We've wasted so many Inward Cargo Manifest Forms because they don't want them if you're empty. The only crossing that we've been asked for one is Lake Champlain. We came back empty yesterday (load canceled) and simply presented passports, and drivers license. We told the officer we were empty except for load securement equipment and he sent us on our way.

P51bombay · Sep 19, 2007

Well there's no question that each and every inspector can and will be different........even from one day to the next. I cross daily and the only time I've been called on being "not empty" when I was - going into Canada I had no load but did have my jack, straps, load bar and some exchange skids and I get the "then you are NOT empty, all that must be declared" - just nod and say ok. I mentioned this to my boss who is the branch manager for the customs broker I drive for and he just laughs and says to throw the "instruments of international trade" at him next time.

Same inspector (with headgear) last week and I am again empty (equipment not declared

) and present my ID (WA state DL and Canadian citizenship card - driving CDN plated truck}> ) and he throws the CDN citizenship card back at me and says "don't give me that" Some are just looking to flex their muscles on something..........anything.

Simple answer on the manifest or not - at least for me at the Blaine port. Most times I have a load coming in so of course I do have a manifest but every so often, whether it be for truck service, second trip to deliver only or personal trip........if truck has no cargo I've never had a manifest and never been asked for one. Only once has anyone even bothered to check the box and see what was there........the usual equipment and was sent on my way.

theoldprof · Sep 19, 2007

P51, "then you are NOT empty, all that must be declared" So if this particular customs guy wants to be a richard skull, he would want you to require an inventory of everything in your truck that wasn't there as delivered from the factory? That would mean straps, cokes in coolers, half eaten bag or Cheetos, etc,etc. Are our borders so secure that they have time for these games?
:+ :+

Crazynuff · Sep 21, 2007

>P51, "then you are NOT empty, all that must be declared"
>So if this particular customs guy wants to be a richard
>skull, he would want you to require an inventory of
>everything in your truck that wasn't there as delivered from
>the factory? That would mean straps, cokes in coolers, half
>eaten bag or Cheetos, etc,etc. Are our borders so secure
>that they have time for these games?
>:+ :+
Didn't you read the post by the driver that had his Beef Jerky confiscated or the drivers that had their laptops examined to make sure they weren't terrorists or perverts ?

greg334 · Sep 21, 2007

Yea, didn't you read my post?

When you are empty on both sides of the border, the tools and supplied that you are in the truck so you can do your job are not counted as freight hence you are empty.

Exchange pallets are counted as freight because that is a item(s) that is covered under customs laws and not your company's or yours - hence you have freight on board.

The word Exchange is the key.

I tell them I have personal items I use while I am on the road - clothes, books and other items of no value and I have tools and supplies I use for my work - straps, chains, pallet jack and wood. I don't lie when they ask if I have any food and what kind of food it is. I pay them to take my food (supposed to be only fresh beef products but not processed or dried or canned beef even if I buy them over here and take them to Canada as part of a run) and I just put up with it.

I have had three inspections done, one was superficial while two were climbing all over my truck and going through all my stuff - the latter was not just me but everyone in that line those days.