Transporting anything across an international border requires organization and preparation. You’ll want to know how much, if any, taxes and tariffs to expect, along with the rules, paperwork required, and timelines for crossing the border. Shipping equipment between British Columbia and Washington doesn’t have to be complicated when you are prepared. Our team at Trusted Dispatch has highlighted these essential points to help guide you toward a less stressful process.
Border Crossing Locations between BC and Washington
There are technically a few border crossings between British Columbia and Washington. However, heavy and commercial trucks are typically directed to the Pacific Highway Border Crossing. It is also known as the Blaine/Surrey truck crossing and is one of the busiest border crossings between the two countries, so planning accordingly is vital for your operations to run smoothly. The other entry points include Lynden/ Aldergrove, Point Roberts/ Boundary Bay, and Sumas/ Huntingdon border points. All crossings require five different documents to be filled out in advance by the customer and/or the driver.
Documents Required from Customer
The customer is required to provide the following completed documentation:
- Bill of exchange
- Canada customs invoice
- Proof of delivery
- Certificate of origin
- Commercial invoice.
They need to be completed accurately and provided to the driver prior to the driver’s border crossing. The bill of exchange provides proof of purchase, the Canada customs invoice contains equipment shipment details, the proof of delivery is the receipt of goods, the certificate of origin proves the equipment manufacture origin and meets NAFTA regulations, and the commercial invoice includes all of the details and values of the equipment.
