Seamless Freight Across the U.S.-Canada Border
Aries Freight Systems is a Chicago-based cross-border freight broker with dedicated US-Canada capacity across every mode. Our team handles the pre-arrival filing, the customs documentation, the carrier compliance, and the full door-to-door coordination — so your freight clears the border on schedule and arrives without surprises.
- Secure, on-time deliveries with certified carriers.
- Canada-certified team ensuring smooth border operations.
- Real-time tracking and insights for seamless shipments.
Whether you’re running regular lanes between the Midwest and Ontario or coordinating one-off shipments to Western Canada, we manage the details that catch unprepared shippers off guard.
→ Also moving freight across the southern border? See our Cross-Border Mexico services →
What Makes US-Canada Cross-Border Freight Different
US-Canada freight looks straightforward — a single continent, shared infrastructure, and decades of trade integration under CUSMA/USMCA. But cross-border shipping between the two countries carries its own compliance layer that stops unprepared shipments at the crossing. Unlike US-Mexico freight, the same carrier can often handle both sides of the move — provided they hold active operating authority in Canada, carry Canadian insurance, and meet CBSA requirements. In practice, that rules out the majority of domestic US carriers.
Beyond carrier eligibility, the pre-arrival filing requirements and customs documentation are where most shipments run into delays. Aries handles every layer before your freight leaves origin.
ACI / eManifest Pre-Arrival Filing
Canada’s mandatory pre-arrival reporting (ACI) and the US equivalent (eManifest) must be filed hours before your freight reaches the border. Late or missing filings mean holds, delays, or refusal of entry.
Canada Customs Invoice (CCI)
Canada requires a specific customs invoice format with fields that differ from a standard US commercial invoice — including HS codes, declared values, and currency of transaction. Errors trigger CBSA holds.
Province-Specific Weight & Permits
Weight limits, axle regulations, and oversize permit requirements vary by province. What’s legal in Ontario may need a permit in Quebec or Alberta. We handle compliance for every province we operate in.
CUSMA / USMCA Duty Eligibility
Qualifying goods move duty-free under CUSMA/USMCA — but only with a valid certificate of origin and correct tariff classification. Missing or incorrect documentation means paying duties that shouldn’t apply.
Also moving freight across the southern border? See our Cross-Border Mexico services →
What We Move
US-Canada Cross-Border Freight Services
Full Truckload Cross-Border (FTL)
Dry van and temperature-controlled FTL capacity for full truckloads between US and Canadian destinations. Team and solo driver options, with pre-approved FAST lane carriers for expedited border processing.
LTL & Partial Truckload Cross-Border
Consolidated LTL and partial truckload options for smaller US-Canada shipments. Same ACI filing, customs coordination, and carrier vetting as a full truckload move — competitive rates on Canada lanes.
Temperature-Controlled Cross-Border
Reefer capacity for food, pharmaceutical, and perishable freight on US-Canada lanes. FSMA compliant carriers with continuous temperature monitoring and chain-of-custody documentation. See Temp Controlled →
Oversized & Heavy Haul Cross-Border
Canada’s weight limits and dimension regulations differ by province. We coordinate oversized permits, route surveys, and compliant carriers for heavy haul cross-border moves including project cargo and industrial equipment. See Open Deck →
Industries We Serve
Cross-Border Solutions Across All Major US-Canada Trade Sectors
From Ontario auto parts to British Columbia lumber, our cross-border network covers the full range of North American trade corridors.
Automotive & Manufacturing
Lumber & Building Materials
Food & Beverage
Pharmaceutical & Healthcare
Consumer Goods & Retail
Industrial Equipment
Agricultural Products
E-Commerce & Distribution
Why Aries
Why Shippers Choose Aries for US-Canada Cross-Border Freight
- ✓ 100,000+ vetted carriers including dedicated cross-border partners with active US and Canadian operating authority, Canadian insurance, and CBSA compliance
- ✓ FAST program carrier network — Free and Secure Trade approved carriers receive expedited CBSA processing, reducing border wait times significantly vs. standard lanes
- ✓ ACI/eManifest filing handled before dispatch — pre-arrival electronic filings submitted to CBSA and US CBP before your freight leaves origin, so there are no surprises at the crossing
- ✓ Canada Customs Invoice (CCI) review and preparation — we verify HS codes, declared values, and CUSMA/USMCA eligibility on every shipment before dispatch
- ✓ 24/7 dispatch with cross-border GPS tracking — real-time visibility from US pickup through Canadian delivery, with hourly updates and hard copy POD
- ✓ Province-specific compliance knowledge — weight limits, axle regulations, and permit requirements handled for Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, and all major Canadian provinces
- ✓ Chicago HQ — direct access to the highest-volume US-Canada border crossings: the Ambassador Bridge (Detroit-Windsor) and Peace Bridge (Buffalo-Fort Erie), two of the busiest commercial crossings in North America
- ✓ CUSMA/USMCA duty support — certificate of origin review and guidance to help qualifying shipments move duty-free under the agreement
Need port-to-border freight movement? See our Drayage services →
Frequently Asked Questions
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