subject: What Paperwork Do You Need To Ship From Canada To The Us? [print this page] If you have to ship something from Canada to the United States, there are some paperwork requirements that you need to be aware of that might not apply if you're only shipping on a domestic basis. Your Chicago courier service is usually going to be your best resource when you're trying to understand what kind of paperwork and documentation needs to be addressed before shipping across the international border. Because of both our proximity and the amount of trade that goes on between the two nations, many people overlook the fact that shipping between the two countries still constitutes a full international shipment, and in many regards is no different than shipping from Canada to a country on another continent.
The basic paperwork requirements don't change, and every single shipment is going to at the very least require that a bill of lading and a commercial invoice be sent with your shipment. A Commercial invoice is simply a copy of the invoice that you would normally send your customer. This allows those working at the border to see documentation regarding what is being shipped, and how much was paid for it. This is important information in case there are taxes or duties which need to be paid on the shipment.
Other documents that you require are going to be more dependent on the exact types of goods that you are shipping. This is because certain types of goods fall under the jurisdiction of certain types of trade agreements which exist between our two countries. When goods are being shipped which are covered by these types of agreements, the international shipping laws may require that there are certain permits or licenses which you might require to ship those goods, such as when the goods are covered under NAFTA. If you have questions about trade agreements, your courier company should be able to help you see if your goods are part of those types of agreements or not.
Also, when you're shipping goods that are worth more than predetermined thresholds, then it is important that you look into other documents you might need such as import/export licenses. Again, shipping companies, logistics consultants, or shipping brokerages may be your best sources of information in regards to making sure that all documentation is prepared before shipping. Otherwise you could find your shipments stopped at the border, something which will be very costly to both you and your clients.
