US–Canada cross-border freight shipping.

Cross-border freight lanes

Crossing the border: what the agencies say

• PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System) is a Canada Border Services Agency option for releasing commercial goods arriving in Canada. It is a Canadian system, not one used for US entry. Source: CBSA: Memorandum D3-4-2, checked November 11, 2026.
• PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System) is a US CBP system that links a customs broker’s electronic entry to the carrier’s SCAC code and a unique shipment number for trucks entering the United States. Source: CBP: Truck e-Manifest FAQs, checked November 11, 2026.
• In CBP’s ACE Truck e-Manifest, the shipment type formerly called PAPS is now labelled Simple Bill. Source: CBP: ACE Truck e-Manifest guide, checked November 11, 2026.
• For trucks arriving in Canada, CBSA requires advance commercial information (eManifest) at least 1 hour before arrival at the port of entry so it can be validated. Source: CBSA: eManifest for highway carriers, checked November 11, 2026.
• FAST (Free and Secure Trade) is a joint Canada–US commercial clearance program for pre-approved, low-risk trade. CBSA charges drivers a US$50 non-refundable processing fee and charges carriers and importers nothing. Source: CBSA: FAST program, checked November 11, 2026.
• For FAST into the United States, CBP says every link in the supply chain, from manufacturer to carrier to driver to importer, must be certified under C-TPAT. Source: CBP: FAST fact sheet, checked November 11, 2026.
• For FAST into Canada, the carrier must be a Partners in Protection (PIP) approved member, either on its own or together with Customs Self Assessment (CSA) approval. Source: CBSA: FAST carrier requirements, checked November 11, 2026.
• A CUSMA certification of origin is the document an importer needs to claim preferential tariff treatment under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. Source: CBSA: CUSMA certification of origin, checked November 11, 2026.
• The Government of Canada calls the Ambassador Bridge the single busiest border crossing between Canada and the United States, handling about C$400 million in trade a day. Source: Public Safety Canada (2022), checked November 11, 2026.
• Transport Canada's 2024 table of busiest border crossings for trucks ranks Windsor-Ambassador Bridge first (2.64M two-way truck movements, 24.7% share), Sarnia-Blue Water Bridge second (1.86M, 17.5%), Fort Erie-Peace Bridge third (1.06M, 9.9%) and Lacolle sixth (0.53M, 5.0%). Source: Transport Canada: busiest border crossings for trucks, 2024, checked November 11, 2026.