Answers to what shippers ask most.

What is the difference between a freight broker and a customs broker?

A freight broker arranges the physical transportation of cargo — finding carriers, booking trucks, coordinating pickups and deliveries. A customs broker handles the regulatory side: preparing and filing declarations with customs authorities, classifying goods, calculating duties, and responding to government queries. Most cross-border shipments require both. Makutuu provides both services in-house, which means fewer points of potential miscommunication and one invoice rather than two.

Do I need a customs broker, or can I file customs declarations myself?

For exports from Canada, the shipper can file their own export declarations through the CBSA's CERS (Canadian Export Reporting System) if they are a registered business exporter. For US imports, the importer of record can self-file through CBP's ACE portal. However, incorrect classifications, missed permit requirements, or eManifest errors can result in holds, fines, and reputational issues with customs authorities. Most regular cross-border shippers find that the cost of a licensed customs broker is justified by the reduction in errors and the time saved — particularly when their commodity list covers more than a handful of product types.

How far in advance do I need to book a cross-border shipment?

For standard LTL and FTL cross-border moves, 2–3 business days' notice allows us to arrange a carrier, prepare documentation, and file eManifest before the truck departs. For temperature-controlled freight, dangerous goods, or oversized loads, 5–7 business days is more realistic given permit and documentation lead times. For international ocean freight, 10–14 days before the vessel cut-off is the minimum. We can handle urgent requests with shorter notice, but capacity availability and documentation preparation constraints mean we cannot always guarantee rates or transit times on very short lead times.

What currencies do you quote and invoice in?

All Makutuu quotes and invoices are issued in Canadian dollars (CAD). For international ocean and air freight where port charges are incurred in foreign currencies, we convert at the prevailing bank rate on the date of invoice and note the exchange rate applied. Customs duties assessed by foreign governments are invoiced at the actual duty amount in CAD equivalent.

What documents are required for a Canada–US cross-border truck shipment?

The minimum documentation for a standard Canada–US truck shipment includes: a commercial invoice with accurate commodity description, quantity, unit value, and total value in CAD or USD; a packing list showing weight and dimensions per piece or pallet; a CBSA B13A export declaration (for goods valued over CAD $2,000); an ACE eManifest filed by the carrier at least 1 hour before crossing; and a bill of lading or truck waybill. For goods qualifying for CUSMA preferential duty treatment, a Certification of Origin is also required. Dangerous goods require additional documentation outlined in Transport Canada's TDG regulations.

My shipment was held at the border for secondary inspection. What happens next?

Secondary inspection means customs officers want to physically examine the cargo, verify documentation, or conduct additional screening. This is a normal part of border operations and does not indicate wrongdoing. The driver will be directed to a secondary inspection bay. Our operations team is notified and will monitor the situation. If additional documentation is needed or a query arises that requires your input, we will contact you. Most secondary inspections are resolved within 2–4 hours. If cargo is detained beyond that, we escalate directly with the relevant CBSA or CBP port director.

What is the de minimis threshold for importing goods into the US from Canada?

Under CUSMA, the US de minimis threshold for Canadian-origin goods entering by courier or mail is USD $800 — goods below this value are generally importable duty-free and with minimal documentation. However, this threshold applies primarily to commercial courier and e-commerce shipments, not to commercial truck freight, which is subject to formal entry requirements regardless of value. Truck shipments almost always require a full customs entry through the ACE system regardless of cargo value.

How are duties and taxes calculated on cross-border shipments?

Duties are calculated as a percentage of the customs value of the goods (generally the transaction value — what you actually paid). The applicable duty rate depends on the HS tariff classification of the commodity, the country of origin, and whether the goods qualify for preferential treatment under a trade agreement such as CUSMA. Additional US-specific measures may apply, including Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum products and Section 301 tariffs on certain goods of Chinese origin. GST/HST is not collected at the US border but may be assessed when goods return to Canada.

Can you ship food products across the Canada–US border?

Yes, but food products are subject to additional regulatory requirements beyond standard freight. On the Canadian side, exports of many food products require a CFIA export certificate. On the US side, food shipments must be filed with the FDA through the Prior Notice system at least 2 hours before arrival by truck. Specific commodities — meat, dairy, fresh produce, eggs — are subject to commodity-specific import permits and inspection procedures. We handle all of these regulatory steps for food exporters regularly; it is one of our higher-volume commodity categories.

How do I know if my goods are classified as dangerous goods?

In Canada, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and its regulations define what constitutes dangerous goods across nine classes: explosives, flammable gases and liquids, toxic substances, corrosives, oxidizers, and others. Common commercial products that are often overlooked include lithium batteries, aerosols, certain adhesives and paints, cleaning chemicals, and some pharmaceuticals. If you are unsure, share the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the product with our team and we will assess whether TDG classification applies and what handling requirements are triggered.

Do you handle automotive vehicles — cars, trucks, heavy equipment?

Yes. Passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and heavy equipment (excavators, cranes, agricultural machinery) are all commodities we ship cross-border regularly. Vehicles require specific documentation including title documents, odometer declarations for US imports, and in some cases EPA and DOT compliance documentation for vehicles being imported into the US from Canada. Heavy equipment over standard legal dimensions requires oversize permits. We handle these requirements as part of our oversized and project cargo service.

What cargo will you not transport?

We do not transport goods that are prohibited under Canadian export controls (including items on the Export Control List requiring a permit we cannot obtain), goods subject to active sanctions, cash or monetary instruments, counterfeit goods, and any commodity where the stated use or end-user raises compliance concerns. For dangerous goods, we only accept shipments where all TDG requirements are met and where we have prior written arrangements in place. Refusal of a shipment on these grounds is not negotiable regardless of the commercial relationship.