Canada New Rules at Windsor Crossing

chetjester

Veteran Expediter
Driver
I went to the Pre-Processing center in London Monday night, and was told the placards are not going to be available after Sunday the 14th. They say that because the US opened a FAST lane, they would not be offering the placard.

Supposedly, to use FAST, you need to be a FAST driver, driving a FAST carrier's truck with a FAST supplier load. Geesh. It gets way too confusing.

I guess the best thing is to go to the PPC, get the PAPS faxed to the broker, and then do your best. I don't even know which lane any longer.

I asked at US Customs, and they said no changes have been made other than trying to get everybody to do their pre-processing done (PAPS) before arriving.

Of course, if the broker sucks, faxing a PAPS is a waste of time. I don't know if the brokers care. Even FedEx Trade has an attitude.

So, if anybody can enlighten me on the best way to return home to the USA without a 4 hour wait to get over the Ambassador bridge, I would appreciate it.
 

Marty

Veteran Expediter
The company to whom I am leased sent all their drivers a message that after November 15 that all inbound freight to the United States had to have FAST labels.
They also warned us that if our paperwork going into Canada was filled out incorrectly that we would be fined $3,000.
I suspect that the refusal rate for excepting shippments into Canada will increase dramaticly.
 

chetjester

Veteran Expediter
Driver
I get so tired of the bridge lines and Customs lines. It was so simple before. Now, it is getting so I don't understand anything.
 

terryandrene

Veteran Expediter
Safety & Compliance
US Coast Guard
>The company to whom I am leased sent all their drivers a
>message that after November 15 that all inbound freight to
>the United States had to have FAST labels.
>They also warned us that if our paperwork going into Canada
>was filled out incorrectly that we would be fined $3,000.
>I suspect that the refusal rate for excepting shippments
>into Canada will increase dramaticly.

Marty:
Who is your carrier?

These comments sound a bit drastic. My understaning of the FAST process is equal to that of Chetjester above. It is your Carriers choice to use a FAST shipper. If the shipper isn't FAST approved, you can't use the FAST procedure.

You shouldn't be afraid of the Canada procedure. An honest attempt to fill out the proper paperwork will not automatically get you a fine. When we started this biz, we had many helpful episodes with Canadian Customs Agents. If you aren't sure ask your carrier before you enter Canada; if you're still not sure, stop at your broker on the USA side and ask for advise on the forms. Having said that, the next time you meet an experienced expeditor, sit down and make sample copies of the Canadian A8A form. Also make a sample of the USA's Inward Manifest. Learn how to use PAPS and PARS. You'll soon learn to enjoy the Canadian experience. There's lots of freight there.

BTW. Only the courts can issue a fine for violating the law. Other government agencies may assess a civil penalty if you violate a regulation. You can negotiate a lesser penalty or even refuse to pay it, but the latter will most likely get you into a court where the civil penalty will most likely be translated into a fine, plus court costs.

Terry
 

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
Terry,

Very well put. Business is business - and it’s ALWAYS changing. Looking at any successful business, they are the ones who adapt to change. The ones who don't suffer and go out of business.

The real mystery to me is the expedite O/O who says "I will never go into Canada for freight".

To me that is like saying - "I will never go to Alabama". Why would a business limit their revenue possibilities?

Yes, there are "regulatory issues" one must get acquainted with. But after all, you’re in business -that's what businesses do when faced with government regulations


Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com


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chetjester

Veteran Expediter
Driver
What I was looking for in this post was information on what all y'all had heard about entering the US with these new rules. I get into Canada a lot easier than I get into the US.

So, if I don't have a placard allowing me into the car lane accross the bridge because the "Advance Border Crossing Center" isn't selling placards, is there any way to avoid the 4 hour line? Once I get over, I can clear through FAST because I will have my PAPS done, if needed. I'm a FAST driver working for a FAST carrier and all my freight is either line release, or, in the case of GM, PAPS.

I asked at Customs about using the car lane, but US Customs said they didn't know anything about it. Nobody knows nothin. Until you get to the booth. Then, I cross my fingers and hope the PAPS went through and the border agent isn't a jerk. He works for the US, right? My taxes? It's all about business, right? Geesh.

Thanks.
 

RobA

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
>BTW. Only the courts can issue a fine for violating the
>law. Other government agencies may assess a civil penalty
>if you violate a regulation. You can negotiate a lesser
>penalty or even refuse to pay it, but the latter will most
>likely get you into a court where the civil penalty will
>most likely be translated into a fine, plus court costs.
>
>Terry



Terry: The CAD $3000 penalty is not outrageous. That is the penalty assessed a carrier for incorrect Cargo Control procedures. The "lesser penalty or fine rule" you explain above does not apply to Canada.
The CBSA can and will issue penalties to carriers for non-compliance.
Those fines are legal here.
 

highway star

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
All freight will not be going into the U.S. as FAST loads. It does all have to be pre-arranged using either FAST or PAPS. If you don't have a FAST card, plan on spending some time getting across. I was at the Buffalo pre-processing center on Thursday and they were in the process of closing it down. The area will be used as a staging area for drivers with no FAST card. They will be allowed to go thru a few at a time. There will pre-processing done at the Fort Erie truck stop.
 
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