Shipping LTL freight across U.S. borders into Canada or Mexico involves additional layers of documentation, compliance, and coordination. Key considerations include:
Customs Documentation: International shipments require a commercial invoice, packing list, and country-specific customs forms in addition to the standard BOL. Missing or inaccurate paperwork is the leading cause of cross-border delays.
Regulatory Compliance: Every country has its own import/export regulations, duty structures, and commodity restrictions. Shippers are responsible for understanding and complying with these rules.
Transit Time Planning: Cross-border transit times can be longer than domestic moves and can be unpredictable depending on border crossing volume and customs clearance speed.
OD provides dedicated cross-border freight solutions for shipments to Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Consult OD’s Global North America resources for country-specific documentation requirements and best practices.