Carrier Corner
Getting Started
Are you a carrier starting out and are new to the transportation industry? Not sure where to start and what you need to get going? Let us help! Here is a guide to get yourself started.
Carriers are required to apply for a Carrier code (USA to Canada shipments only) and/or SCAC code (shipments to USA only). These are unique identifiers for a carrier as part of the transportation industry.
Click Here: How to apply for a Carrier Code?
Click Here: How to apply for a SCAC code?
Click Here: Barcode Label Order Form
RNS
RNS, which stands for Release Notification System, is a highly recommended means of verifying whether Customs clearance has taken place prior to arrival in Canada. RNS affords many advantages by offering carriers a complete overview of the activity on their carrier code as reported directly by CBSA.
C-TPAT/PIP
The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program is a partnership between the US Customs and Border Protection(CBP) and the supply chain industry. C-TPAT focuses mainly on protecting the United States against acts of terrorism by improving security while speeding the flow of compliant cargo and conveyances.
PIP stands for Partners in Protection, a program in which member carriers and importers agree to implement high security standards in exchange for being recognized by CBSA as low-risk. To become a C-TPAT and/or PIP member, give us a shout by email at carrierservices@aacb.com.
Barcoding
Did you know A & A Customs Brokers offers label printing for all of your cross border needs? Click here to begin!
PAPS Pre-Arrival Processing System – for entry into the USA
PARS Pre-Arrival Review System – for entry into Canada
A8A Manifest labels – Cargo Control is a bar coded label. It is affixed to a 5 part A8A form. One label is needed for each part of the form but only 3 parts are scanned by Canada Customs & Revenue Agency CCRA.
Customs Clearance
In order for goods to be allowed to enter Canada or the USA, they must either be customs cleared or authorized to move in bond. Customs clearance will usually require a formal entry under the PARS or PAPS process, but a variety of other shipment clearance types exist for exceptions. Moving goods in bond also require a formal process. Generally, the process requires receiving the appropriate paperwork from the shipper, and attaching a PARS or PAPS sticker and sending it off the appropriate broker for your shipment to be cleared. Once the broker receives your paperwork they will start to work on it in a timely manner.
What is required from the carriers side is to create an ACE manifest (shipments into USA) or an ACI (shipments to Canada) through a service provider, such as Border Connect. A manifest requires the following information, a trip number, driver’s ETA to the border, the PAPS or PARS number, driver information, conveyance and equipment information, shipper and consignee information and the description of the goods (commodity, weight, peice count) once you complete a manifest, you are to submit it for processing. Any paperwork you had submitted to your broker will be linked to your manifest through CBP/CBSA.
Bonding
What is a bonded carrier?
A licensed transporter that customs allows them to carry goods whose duty isn’t paid. A bonded carrier posts security with the CBSA to cover the following situations:
Movement of goods to a CBSA office inland (not located at the border) for release of the shipment; Movement of goods “in transit” through Canada. The bonded carrier uses Canada as a corridor, or a shortcut, by starting from a point outside Canada and then transiting through Canada to another point outside Canada (e.g. U.S. -> Canada -> U.S.). The goods in transit are not released in Canada; Movement of goods into Canada for export to a foreign market (e.g. U.S. -> Canada -> China).
Permits and Regulations, Infractions, IFTA, Prorates, Safety, Hours of Service
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/hccap-ddctr-eng.html
http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/26_58_12
how to get a MC# http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/get-mc-number-authority-operate
how to get a USDOT # http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/how-do-i-get-usdot-number
Transponder for frequent cross border travel
If you are a carrier who will be crossing the border frequently, it may be beneficial for your fleets trucks to purchase transponder for easier travel to and from the US.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/182/~/user-fee—decal-amounts-and-payment-addresses
The Decal / Transponder Online Procurement System(DTOPS) is an easy way for Commercial Vehicles, Private Aircraft, and Private Vessels (thirty feet and over) to purchase their Annual User Fee online. Commercial Vehicle purchasers also have the ability to request replacement transponders, transfer vehicles into their fleet, and maintain their fleet inventory. https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/
Travelling with pets
Carrier Related information
Maps
Google maps – https://www.google.ca/maps/@54.1123525,-126.5556456,5z?hl=en
Route Calculator – http://truckmiles.com/
Road Conditions
Canadian Road Conditions – http://www.theweathernetwork.com/roads-and-travel/highway-condition/list
Weather
Environment Canada – http://weather.gc.ca/canada_e.html – Canadian Governtment
National Weather Service – http://www.weather.gov/ – US Government
The Weather Network – http://www.theweathernetwork.com/
Provincial Ministry of Transportation Offices
British Columbia – http://www.gov.bc.ca/tran/
Alberta – http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/
Saskatchewan – http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/
Manitoba – http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/
Ontario – http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/
Quebec – https://www.transports.gouv.qc.ca/en/Pages/Home.aspx
New Brunswick – http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/dti.html
Nova Scotia – http://novascotia.ca/tran/
Prince Edward Island – https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/transportation-infrastructure-and-energy
Newfoundland – http://www.tw.gov.nl.ca/
Yukon – http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/
Northwest Territories – https://www.idmv.dot.gov.nt.ca/
Nunavut – http://www.gov.nu.ca/edt
Provincial Trucking Associations
British Columbia Trucking Association – http://www.bctrucking.com/
Alberta Motor Transport Association – http://www.amta.ca/
Saskatchewan Trucking Association – http://www.sasktrucking.com/
Manitoba Trucking Association – http://www.trucking.mb.ca/
Ontario Trucking Association – http://ontruck.org/
Quebec Trucking Association – http://www.carrefour-acq.org/
Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association – http://www.apta.ca/
Truckers Association of Nova Scotia – http://www.tans.ca/
Trucking PEI – http://www.truckingpei.ca/?f
Truck Stops
Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers – http://www.pilotflyingj.com/
Travel Centers of America (TA/Petro) – http://www.ta-petro.com/
North American Truck Stop Network – http://www.natsn.com/
Blue Beacon(Truck Wash) – http://www.bluebeacon.com/
Fuel Prices
North American Fuel Prices – http://www.gasbuddy.com/
Start a Trucking Company
- Create a business plan Your first step is creating a business plan. Figure out your initial start up costs based on what equipment or property you’ll need. Calculate the costs of fuel and salaries against what you can charge for your freight service. You may need investors to support you in the beginning [source: Start a Trucking Company].
- Register your business Come up with a name for your company. File for a Federal Identification Number and register your business in your state. You may want to enlist the help of a lawyer, especially if you want to incorporate your business [source: SBA].
- Obtain the proper permits and licensing To be a registered trucking company, you need to get a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Authority, a Department of Transportation number, Unified Carrier Registration, an International Fuel Tax Agreement license and possibly other trucking permits, depending on your business model [source: Truckers Accounting and Permitting Service].
- Market your services You may already have some leads from your experience as a truck driver, but you’ll need more than just those to run a successful company. Print up business cards, advertise on the Web and build your own Web site. Also, offer your services to companies that might need freight delivered [source: Start a Trucking Company].
- Hire more drivers Eventually, you’ll want to expand your company to generate more business. Find the most skilled and qualified drivers who will represent your business they same way you would [source: Start a Trucking Company].