Uploading your customs documents
If you are shipping cross-border between Canada and the USA, you are required to prepare customs documents.
Missing or incorrect customs documents can delay pickup or delay transportation of your freight, resulting in a later delivery date. In extreme cases missing or incorrect documents may result in additional charges from the carrier, which you would be responsible for.
What documents you need
Typically, customs documents consist of a commercial invoice and other supporting documents such as proof-of-origin certificates. FreightSimple cannot advise you on the correct documents you need. If you have any doubt over the contents of your customs documents, please contact your customs broker.
Why pre-clearance matters
To ensure your freight is not delayed, it is essential that your freight is pre-cleared. This is of particular importance for freight being picked up close to the border, which includes many Canadian pickups.
To ensure efficient operations, a carrier will not load a shipment onto a truck going cross-border unless it has cleared customs. One problematic pallet on a truck can delay dozens of other shipments.
Uploading to your dashboard
FreightSimple makes pre-clearance easy for you by letting you upload your customs documents to your FreightSimple dashboard. Those documents are then automatically electronically transferred to your carrier to begin the pre-clearance process.
Please note, as well as uploading your customs documents to your FreightSimple dashboard, you must also make sure the shipper hands printed copies to the driver when your shipment is picked up.
Updating and managing documents
You can update and manage your customs documents after booking a shipment. This includes the ability to add or update customs documents even after the first batch has been uploaded.
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Access your shipment details
Log in to your FreightSimple account and select the shipment you want to manage.
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Locate the customs documents section
Scroll down to the Documents section on the shipment page.
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Click Update Customs Documents
Select the Update Customs Documents button to upload additional documents or replace existing ones (as shown in the screenshot below).
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Add or replace documents
Upload the new documents as needed. Once you have added or updated your documents, click Save.
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Confirmation notification
You will receive an email notification confirming the update with the carrier.
Important notes
- Before pickup. Ensure all required customs documents are up-to-date and complete before your shipment is scheduled for pickup to avoid delays.
- Need help. For assistance with customs documents or if you encounter issues, contact us at support@freightsimple.com, and our team will assist you.
- Clearing it yourself. If you are choosing to clear your freight through customs yourself, without the help of a broker, please let our team know, and we can assist you with any specific information the carrier may need for this.
Learn more about Cross-Border Shipping.