Notices issued today by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) outline the details of what is required for trucks and drivers to participate in in-transit movements (domestic Canadian shipments that transit the US to reach another Canadian destination). 

The plan was proposed by CTA and British Columbia Trucking Association as an immediate response to get supplies into B.C. after floods and mudslides took out highways and bridges, leaving communities stranded and cut off from the rest of Canada.  

The guidelines for this special interim measure were developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, USCBP and other government departments in Canada and the U.S. to facilitate the movement of goods impacted by the crisis while respecting the relevant laws and regulations that govern joint CA-US border and national interests.

Ports of entry that will be able to meet in-transit movements in the immediate term include:

• Emerson MB (Pembina, North Dakota);
• North Portal Saskatchewan (Portal Station, North Dakota);
• Coutts AB (Sweetgrass, Montana);
• Kingsgate; BC (Eastport, Idaho);
• Osoyoos, BC (Oroville, Washington); and,
• PAC Highway (Blaine, Washington)

“The Canadian Trucking Alliance is committed to supporting sustained efforts to re-establish critical supply chains to British Columbia and will continue to support our membership , industry and government partners in the months to come so we can get affected communities back on their feet,” said CTA Stephen Laskowski, President and CEO. “We thank the governments for listening and willingness to work with CTA and react quickly on the enhanced in-transit options proposed at the outset of the crisis.”  

 Added Dave Earle, President and CEO, British Columbia Trucking Association: 

“The speed at which officials on both sides of the border were able to address this dire situation and the ability for trucks to re-establish vital supply chain connections between British Columbia and the rest of Canada shows the true nature of the Canada-US partnership. We are grateful for the efforts of everyone involved as well as the outpouring of support from the trucking industry from across Canada.”

There are some detailed compliance requirements for carriers to participate in the in-transit movements, including items related to: travel documents, entry filing, container/trailer security, food and animal shipments. Carriers should review the details from both CBP and CBSA on how trucking companies and drivers can participate in the program by clicking here for CBP and here for CBSA: CBSA BC Response_public

US and Canadian commercial vehicle safety officials also continue to work on establishing protocols and procedures for Canadian domestic-only carriers with respect to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements to participate. Until these protocols and procedures are established Canadian domestic-only carriers are not eligible to travel in the United States. As this information becomes available it will be shared with the CTA members.  

Additionally, CTA has also been in contact with both private and public truck insurers who have indicated a willingness to support these relief efforts and the Canadian trucking industry.  Fleets who will be participating in the in-transit program should contact their insurance providers if they have not already done so to indicate their operational plans for transiting the US.

CTA will be looking to schedule educational webinars over the coming weeks aimed at providing information for carriers as they continue their efforts re-establish supply chains into and out of British Columbia.