5 Documents You’ll Need for Canadian & US Cross-Border Shipping

Transportation operations across the Northern border can be complex and is becoming increasingly important to navigate as trade between the two countries continues to rise.  

As a Modern 4PL, Redwood has robust cross-border capabilities to help our customers participate in and seamlessly execute US-Canadian trade, which accounted for $774 billion in 2023 — including $353 billion in US exports to Canada alone.  

In order to optimize international trade, the two countries have curated a large set of shared shipping and customs requirements. Because of this, the border-crossing process into and out of the US and Canada is enticing for shippers looking to capitalize on the streamlined processes.  

To set you up for success in your Northern border shipping, we’ve put together a list of the five documents you’ll need to prepare in order to move products between the US and Canada. 

Five Primary Documents Required for Cross-Border Shipping  

The bill of lading, or BOL, is a must-have document for any freight moved across the US-Canadian border. It includes three items that must be documented. First, the shipper’s full information is needed, including the company name, point of contact, shipping address, contact phone number, and email. Next, you need to include all contact information of the recipient, or consignee: the province, city, postal code, and physical address. Finally, you must describe the freight being shipped.   

You’ll need at least three copies of the BOL — one copy each for the shipper, driver, and consignee. But it’s a good idea to have a few extra copies of all paperwork sent with the shipment.   

The next required item is the proof of delivery, or POD, form — basically a signature from the recipient verifying that the goods have been received. Typically, the proof of delivery will be a signature on the bill of lading. But some companies require a specific form or an electronic signature for proof of delivery.  

If you’ve ever shipped a package to an international destination via FedEx or UPS, then you’re already familiar with a commercial invoice, or CI. The CI is a standard invoice describing the items you’re shipping and their monetary value. The CI determines customs duties and helps calculate applicable tariffs.  

While shippers might be tempted to devalue their declared goods to save money on tariffs and fees, any inaccuracy could result in delays, loss of revenue, and even the inability to ship freight across the border easily. Often, the purchaser on the other side of the border cannot get those undervalued items through customs at all.   

The Canadian customs invoice, or the CCI, can be obtained from your cross-border carrier.  A CCI is mandatory if your freight meets certain criteria. For starters, it must be a commercial shipment valued at over $2500 CAD. Second, the goods must be subject to sales tax and other duties. It’s important to note that the CCI does not apply to goods that fall under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 9801.00.10. This allows re-importing US-made products back into the United States, duty-free, when they represent product returns.   

The final document required for freight moving across the Canadian border is the Electronic Export Information (EEI) form, which has replaced the previously used shipper’s export declaration. The EEI is a required form for all US-exported goods valued at $2500 USD or higher. Statistical data from the EEI form is used by the US Census Bureau to analyze, compare, and alter trade regulations.  

Redwood: Your Ideal Travel Companion  

Whatever border you’re crossing — and wherever in the world your business takes you — Redwood can help you navigate the required documentation and other complexities. Backed by over two decades of experience and hundreds of successful customer engagements, Redwood knows logistics. No one is better qualified to help you optimize the strategic and financial impacts of your international trade efforts, both digitally and physically.  

Whether you need freight brokerage services, consulting support, hands-on transportation and warehousing execution, or technology integration, Redwood is your ideal travel companion.  

Contact us, and we can start mapping out your successful cross-border journey together.