freight shipping

Shipments from the United States to Canada



When planning to ship freight from the U.S. to Canada, four over land options exist. Shipments can be moved by Full Truckload, Less than Truckload (LTL), Intermodal (rail) or by a dedicated truck called a "hot shot". Because cross border shipmetns can be more complicated and expensive than domestic shipments, some extra care should be used when obtaining quotes and planning the shipment. Here are some more details about each of the four options:

Air Cargo Screening

Traditionally, security checks for air cargo shipments are performed by trained dogs and security officers. The increase in global air cargo over the past decade, however, has presented an increased need for additional security systems to screen cargo. Systems that are being used today include X-Rays and other explosive scanning devices. In the last 6 years. the TSA has expanded its use of canine detection teams, which conduct primary and secondary screening of air cargo. While all cargo is screened, the emphasis is on freight which will be moved on passenger airliners.

Small Parcel Vs. Air Freight

Anyone who has spent much time in the logistics industry knows that small parcel carriers like UPS, DHL and FedEx charge extra for oversized items. When shipping product Internationally, these charges can add up quickly and can become very expensive. Most people also know that very large shipments often make their voyage overseas on airplanes. The parts in between can be confusing and very expensive, if you’re not prepared and experienced.

Cargo Volume Continues to Surge

In the United States, ports on the west coast such as Seattle and Oakland, CA reported double digit increases in freight volumes compared to the same time last year. In the specific case of the west coast ports, these increases seem to mean that the major delays, labor issues and congestion that plagued them are finally in the past. On the east coast of the USA, major Gulf and Atlantic ports including Houston, Charleston and Norfolk also saw meaningful increases in volume when compared to the early Fall of 2014.

Jamaica is set to Become Box Line's Main Caribbean Cargo Hub

The world’s third largest box carrier, French group CMA CGM has signed an agreement with the Port Authority of Jamaica granting them the concession of Kingston Container Terminal for 30 years. The terminal consists of a total of 2,400 meters of wharf, an 80 hectare surface area.

Frequently Used Shipping Terms

The GlobalForwarding.com team has put together a list of the most commonly used (and often misunderstood) terms in LTL:

Best Kept Secrets of a 3PL

Shippers who plan ahead consistently turn to a 3PL, also known as a freight forwarder, for all of their trucking needs. Everyone knows that a 3PL provides a shipper with a tremendous opportunity to save money and save time on certain freight shipping requirements.

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