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Are you a carrier starting out and new to the transportation
industry? Not sure where to start and what you need to get
going? Let us help! Here is a guide to get yourself started.

Carriers are required to apply for a Carrier code (USA to Canada shipments only) and/or SCAC code (shipments to the USA only). These are unique
identifiers for a carrier as part of the transportation industry.

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Starting a career in the transportation industry as a carrier involves several key steps.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started:

Research the Industry

  • Understand the Market: Learn about the different types of transportation (e.g., freight, passenger, logistics, etc.), the demand, and the key players.
  • Identify Your Niche: Decide whether you want to focus on local deliveries, long-haul trucking, specialty transport (e.g., hazardous materials), or another niche.

Develop a Business Plan

  • Define Your Services: Clearly outline what services you will offer, the areas you will cover, and your target customers.
  • Financial Planning: Prepare a budget, including start-up costs, operational expenses, and projected revenues.
  • Marketing Strategy: Plan how you will attract customers and build your brand.

Register Your Businessn

  • Choose a Business Structure: Decide whether to operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation.
  • Obtain Necessary Permits: Register with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and get a Motor Carrier (MC) number if required.
  • Insurance: Get the appropriate insurance coverage, including liability, cargo, and workers’ compensation.

Get the Required Licenses and Permits

  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Obtain a CDL if you plan to drive commercial vehicles. This often requires passing written and practical exams.
  • Other Certifications: Depending on your niche, you might need additional certifications, such as Hazmat endorsements, Passenger endorsements, or Tanker endorsements.

Build Relationships

  • Network: Join industry associations, attend trade shows, and connect with other professionals.
  • Customer Relationships: Focus on building strong relationships with customers to ensure repeat business.

Market Your Services

  • Online Presence: Create a professional website and utilize social media to reach potential customers.
  • Local Advertising: Use local advertising methods such as flyers, local newspapers, and community events.
  • Partnerships: Partner with logistics companies, freight brokers, and other businesses to expand your reach.

Establish Operations

  • Hire Staff: Depending on the scale, hire drivers, dispatchers, and administrative staff.
  • Implement Systems: Use software for route planning, fleet management, and logistics tracking.

Stay Compliant and Updated

  • Regulations: Keep up with industry regulations and ensure compliance with all legal requirements.
  • Continuing Education: Regularly update your skills and knowledge through courses and certifications.

Additional Tips

  • Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service to build a positive reputation.
  • Efficiency: Optimize routes and manage fuel costs to maximize efficiency.
  • Safety: Prioritize safety to protect your drivers, cargo, and reputation.

By following these steps and remaining adaptable to industry changes, you can successfully start and grow your career as a carrier in the transportation industry.

Here is more information you may find useful as a carrier:

The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program is a partnership between the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the supply chain industry. C-TPAT focuses mainly on protecting the United States against acts of terrorism by improving security while speeding the flow of compliant cargo and conveyances.

Click here to learn more.

PIP stands for Partners in Protection, a program in which member carriers and importers agree to implement high security standards in exchange for being recognized by CBSA as low-risk.

Click here to learn more.

Did you know A & A Customs Brokers offers label printing for all of your cross border needs? Click here to begin!

Pre-Arrival Processing System – for entry into the USA

Click here to check PAPS status

Pre-Arrival Review System – for entry into Canada

A & A Manifest labels (A8A) – Cargo Control is a bar coded label. It is affixed to a 5 part A & A form. One label is needed for each part of the form but only 3 parts are scanned by Canada Customs & Revenue Agency CCRA.

Click here to check PARS status

In order for goods to be allowed to enter Canada or the USA, they must either be customs cleared or authorized to move in bond.

Customs clearance will usually require a formal entry under the PARS or PAPS process, but a variety of other shipment clearance types exist for exceptions. Moving goods in bond also require a formal process. Generally, the process requires receiving the appropriate paperwork from the shipper, and attaching a PARS or PAPS sticker and sending it off the appropriate broker for your shipment to be cleared. Once the broker receives your paperwork they will start to work on it in a timely manner.

What is required from the carriers side is to create an ACE manifest (shipments into USA) or an ACI (shipments to Canada) through a service provider, such as Border Connect. A manifest requires the following information, a trip number, driver’s ETA to the border, the PAPS or PARS number, driver information, conveyance and equipment information, shipper and consignee information and the description of the goods (commodity, weight, peice count) once you complete a manifest, you are to submit it for processing. Any paperwork you had submitted to your broker will be linked to your manifest through CBP/CBSA.

What is a bonded carrier?

A licensed transporter that customs allows them to carry goods whose duty isn’t paid. A bonded carrier posts security with the CBSA to cover the following situations:

Movement of goods to a CBSA office inland (not located at the border) for release of the shipment; Movement of goods “in transit” through Canada. The bonded carrier uses Canada as a corridor, or a shortcut, by starting from a point outside Canada and then transiting through Canada to another point outside Canada (e.g. U.S. -> Canada -> U.S.). The goods in transit are not released in Canada; Movement of goods into Canada for export to a foreign market (e.g. U.S. -> Canada -> China).

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carrier-transporteur/hccap-ddctr-eng.html

http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/26_58_12
 
How to get a MC# http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/get-mc-number-authority-operate
 
How to get a USDOT # http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/how-do-i-get-usdot-number

 

If you are a carrier who will be crossing the border frequently, it may be beneficial for your fleets trucks to purchase transponder for easier travel to and from the US.
 
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/182/~/user-fee—decal-amounts-and-payment-addresses
 
The Decal / Transponder Online Procurement System(DTOPS)  is an easy way for Commercial Vehicles, Private Aircraft, and Private Vessels (thirty feet and over) to purchase their Annual User Fee online. Commercial Vehicle purchasers also have the ability to request replacement transponders, transfer vehicles into their fleet, and maintain their fleet inventory.
 
https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/
 

Travelling with pets

 
https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/imports/import-policies/animal-products-and-by-products/eng/1320833457085/1320851008731

 

Google maps –  https://www.google.ca/maps/@54.1123525,-126.5556456,5z?hl=en

Route Calculator – http://truckmiles.com/

Environment Canada – http://weather.gc.ca/canada_e.html  – Canadian Governtment

National Weather Service – http://www.weather.gov/ – US Government

The Weather Network – http://www.theweathernetwork.com/

Provincial Ministry of Transportation Offices

British Columbia  – http://www.gov.bc.ca/tran/

Alberta – http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/

Saskatchewan – http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/

Manitoba – http://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/

Ontario  – http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/

Quebec – https://www.transports.gouv.qc.ca/en/Pages/Home.aspx

New Brunswick – http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/dti.html

Nova Scotia – http://novascotia.ca/tran/

Prince Edward Island – https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/transportation-infrastructure-and-energy

Newfoundland – http://www.tw.gov.nl.ca/

Yukon – http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/

Northwest Territories – https://www.idmv.dot.gov.nt.ca/

Nunavut – http://www.gov.nu.ca/edt

British Columbia Trucking Association – http://www.bctrucking.com/

Alberta Motor Transport Association – http://www.amta.ca/

Saskatchewan Trucking Association – http://www.sasktrucking.com/

Manitoba Trucking Association – http://www.trucking.mb.ca/

Ontario Trucking Association – http://ontruck.org/

Quebec Trucking Association – http://www.carrefour-acq.org/

Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association – http://www.apta.ca/

Truckers Association of Nova Scotia – http://www.tans.ca/

Trucking PEI – http://www.truckingpei.ca/?f

Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers – http://www.pilotflyingj.com/

Travel Centers of America (TA/Petro) – http://www.ta-petro.com/

North American Truck Stop Network – http://www.natsn.com/

Blue Beacon(Truck Wash) – http://www.bluebeacon.com/

North American Fuel Prices – http://www.gasbuddy.com/

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NOTE: All details pertaining to CARM R2 processes are based on the current information available at the time of writing. As this is subject to change, it’s recommended you periodically check in with the CBSA or your customs broker.