Cross-Border Logistics Between the US & Canada

More than $700 billion in goods cross the U.S.-Canada border every year, the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. The freight programs that move smoothly across it share the same fundamentals.

CUSMA/USMCA compliance

Preferential tariff treatment is not automatic. Goods must qualify under rules of origin, and certificates of origin must hold up to audit in both countries. We handle rules-of-origin analysis, certificate preparation, and audit-ready documentation with our licensed customs broker partners.

Customs requirements on both sides

Cross-border freight clears two agencies: CBP entering the United States and CBSA entering Canada. The document set includes commercial invoices, Canada Customs invoices, bills of lading, certificates of origin, and permits for regulated commodities.

Key border crossings

Detroit-Windsor (Ambassador Bridge and Gordie Howe Bridge): the busiest crossing, carrying more than a quarter of bilateral trade.
Port Huron-Sarnia (Blue Water Bridge): the automotive and manufacturing lane.
Buffalo-Fort Erie (Peace Bridge): the Northeast corridor.
Blaine, WA-Surrey, BC (Pacific Highway): the Pacific Northwest gateway.

Transportation coordination

Cross-border carriers need dual operating authority, bonded status, and border experience. We manage carrier selection, border appointment scheduling, and transit coordination through our freight brokerage.

Bonded transit and in-bond shipments

Both countries support in-bond programs that let goods transit without formal entry until they reach their destination, which keeps freight moving while paperwork resolves.

Integrated cross-border programs

The strongest cross-border supply chains combine forwarding, customs coordination, transportation, and warehousing near the border. Our Seattle anchor covers the Pacific Northwest, and our Toledo and Detroit anchors cover the Midwest corridor.