BEFORE APPROACHING THE U.S./CANADA BORDER
- Know what you are hauling and your destination location. Ensure you know what freight you have in your trailer. If you are hooking to an empty trailer open the doors and make sure the trailer is empty. If there are straps or load bars in the trailer you will need to provide this information to the Customs Officer when he asks. Ensure your trailer has a high security seal attached and intact {Empty or loaded}
- Check your device to ensure you have received the ACE (south bound) or ACI (north bound) confirmation message. If the ACI is not set up when you reach the Canadian border you could face a fine of $2,000.00 for the first occurrence, $4,000.00 for second occurrence and $8,000.00 for third and subsequent occurrences. Ensure PAPS {Southbound} PARS {Northbound} is set up and cleared.
- Not all tractors are equipped with border crossing transponders. Check your device to ensure you have received the border crossing confirmation message.
- Contact your Fleet or Driver Development before you leave a Bison yard or the Customer if you have questions and are not comfortable approaching the border. We have the option of placing you with a Mentor to assist you.
- Ensure you have all your personal documents in your possession and valid: Passport/B1B2 Visa/PR card/I94 Visa/Work permit.
- Know what food you can bring into the U.S.
- If you are hauling a reefer or heater trailer, ensure the motor for that trailer is switched off before approaching the window at the border.
- At the window, do not apply any parking brakes, just apply the foot brake and hold, then switch off your engine.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE U.S./CANADA BORDER
- Be patient and polite to the Customs Officer, don’t complain if there are delays.
- Before approaching the northbound border, ensure you are aware of your duty-free allowances. Under no circumstances are you allowed to carry any alcohol unless part of a manifested load.
- Answer all questions truthfully. If the Customs office determines you have not been truthful you could face a fine of $10,000.00 and be prohibited from crossing the U.S. border.
- Politely ask the Customs Officer to repeat the question if you do not fully understand what information the Officer is requesting.
- Answer only the question the Customs Officer is asking you. Do not provide any additional information unless the Office requests more information.
ROUTINELY ASKED U.S./CANADA CUSTOMS QUESTIONS
- Where do you live?
- Where are you from?
- How long have you lived in Canada?
- How long will you be in the United States?
- How long have you been in the United States?
- When was the last time you were in the United States?
- What location did you cross at?
- Is your trailer empty? Are you sure?
- Is there anyone in the trailer? Are you sure?
- What are you hauling?
- What are you doing after unloading?
- What will you be hauling back to Canada?
- Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence?
- Have you ever been refused entry into the United States?
- Have you ever been fingerprinted?
- Why did you immigrate to Canada?
- Do you have any alcohol in your truck?
- What is your total amount (in Canadian dollars) of purchases you have made including tobacco products in the United States?
- Do you have any food in your truck?
- Do you have anything to declare?
- Do you have any firearms or weapons on board your truck?
- Do you have any family members living in the United States?
- Have you ever belonged to a terrorist organization?
- Will everyone in the truck be returning to Canada?
- Are you bringing any packages with you into Canada that belongs to someone else?
- Are you or anyone in the truck caring ten thousand dollars or more with you?