Q. How do I set up a shipment to or from Canada?

A: For northbound shipments to Canada, call your local terminal and speak to a customer care representative.

To set up a southbound shipment originating in Canada, call 1-866-ESTES4U (1-866-378-3748), and press 433.

Q: Where can I get Canada shipping forms?

A: Forms and instructions for shipping to and from Canada are available in our convenient Forms Library. You can also request copies from your Estes sales representative at your local terminal.

Q: Do I need to arrange for a customs broker?

A: Yes, you will need a customs broker—but it’s usually the importer who chooses the broker. The importer can either be the consignee or a non-resident importer. If the importer does not have a broker for southbound freight, Estes has in-house broker capabilities through Estes Forwarding Worldwide. They can be reached at 1-866-ESTES4U (1-866-378-3748), and press 453.

Q: What is PARS?

A: The Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) is used to process customs paperwork before northbound freight reaches the U.S./Canada border. This helps the freight to cross into Canada much more quickly.

Q: How do I make sure my freight will take advantage of PARS?

A: Submitting complete and accurate paperwork to the correct customs broker is critical in order for PARS to work.

Q: What happens if my northbound freight doesn’t clear PARS?

A: In the rare instances when freight doesn’t clear PARS en route to Canada, it goes to a licensed sufferance warehouse in the Estes network for temporary storage until the freight is released by Canada Customs. Canada bonding fees will apply, which the importer usually pays in Canada or the non-resident importer in the U.S.

Q: What is ACI?

A: Advance Commercial Information (ACI) is a new Canada border security program that will eventually require all commercial cargo entering Canada to be electronically transmitted to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and processed prior to a shipment’s arrival at the border.

Q: How can I help ensure PARS clearance for my northbound freight?

A: The best way to help ensure that your freight clears the Canada border in a timely manner is to e-mail a PDF of your customs documentation to us as early as possible. An auto e-mail box at estespars@estes-express.com is specially set-up to automatically convert your documents and get them to our PARS center as quickly as possible. Make sure that the first document you attach is the BOL with the PRO number on it. Only one PRO per e-mail is allowed.

Q: If estesspars@estes-express.com is an auto e-mail box, will a message I send in the body of the e-mail get to the right place?

A: Estespars@estes-express.com is a special inbox designed with the sole purpose of accepting customs documents (desired formats are PDFs and TIFs) and downloading them to the system. Messages to the Canada team can be sent to Canada@estes-express.com, which is actively managed by our corporate customer care team.

Q: What documents will I need for my northbound shipments?

A: Required documents for shipments going from the U.S. to Canada include:

Q: What information should the Canada Customs Invoice contain?

A: The Canada Customs Invoice contains a description of the goods, the cost of each item and a total value as well as the country of origin. The Certificate of Origin can be a separate document, or the information can be included in the Customs Invoice. Note that a totally complete Canada Customs Invoice is one of the best ways to achieve PARS clearance.

Q: When should I forward the documents to Estes for my northbound shipments?

A: E-mail your documents to estespars@estes-express.com as soon as you have them ready. They should be sent no later than the time of pickup and no later than 2:00 p.m. the day of the pickup for next-day freight. Be sure to see the Important Tips below. Be sure to give a copy of the paperwork to the driver. That copy will travel with the freight.

Q: Does the order of documents in the e-mail to
estesspars@estes-express.com matter?

A: The very first document you attach to the e-mail needs to be the Bill of Lading with the PRO number. The order of any additional documents is not important. If all information is included in a single PDF or TIF, make sure that the first page is the BOL with the PRO number on it.

Q: How many shipments can I include documentation for in a
single e-mail?

A: Only one PRO can be represented per e-mail to estespars@estes-express.com.

Q: What is a Rapid Clear form?

A: The Rapid Clear Form is a time-saving document that can simplify the paperwork needed to ship freight northbound to Canada. Be sure to read the Rapid Clear instructions carefully to determine if you’ll need additional documentation for your shipment. If you're claiming NAFTA status, you’ll still need to provide a NAFTA Certificate of Origin unless your customs broker already has a current version on file.

Q: When is it appropriate to use the Rapid Clear form?

A: The Rapid Clear form simplifies the paperwork needed to ship northbound freight. It is not used for southbound moves and is really most appropriate for occassional northbound shippers with less-complicated characteristics (e.g., freight origin is clear, not a lot of different kinds of commodities, etc.) It takes the place of the Canada Customs Invoice and the straight Bill of Lading. A NAFTA Certificate of Origin may still be required.

Q: What is ACE?

A: The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is a partnership between select carriers and U.S. Customs that facilitates prompt and timely freight southbound crossing between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico. ACE’s secure data portal allows brokers and carriers the ability to file manifests electronically and create reports using real-time data.

Q: What is PAPS?

A: The Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) is the United States’ equivalent of PARS. PAPS allows customs paperwork to be processed before southbound freight reaches the Canada/U.S. border. This facilitates the freight’s entry into the U.S.

Q: What happens if my southbound freight doesn't clear PAPS?

A: In the rare instances when freight doesn't clear PAPS en route to the United States, it goes to a licensed in-bond facility in the Estes network for temporary storage until it is released by U.S. Customs. U.S. in-bond fees apply, which the importer typically pays.