Commercial & Fleet Vehicle Transport Between the USA and Canada

Businesses relocating employees, dealerships moving inventory and companies managing cross-border fleets all face the same challenge: getting vehicles across the US-Canada border legally and without logistics headaches. US Canada Auto Transport has been handling commercial vehicle transport and fleet shipments since 1985. With tariffs and trade rules shifting, auto supply chain shipping between the two countries calls for more planning than ever. The process works in five clear steps.

What Counts as Commercial Vehicle Transport?

Commercial vehicle transport covers any shipment where the vehicle moves for business purposes rather than personal use. Common situations we handle include:

• Corporate employee relocation: Shipping a vehicle as part of a cross-border job transfer.
• Dealership inventory transport: Moving vehicles between US and Canadian dealerships.
• Fleet relocation: Moving multiple company vehicles across the border.
• Work permit and student vehicles: Temporary vehicle moves for the length of a work or study assignment.
• Lease returns: Returning a leased vehicle to its home country, which needs the leasing company’s approval. The steps to ship a leased vehicle between the USA and Canada apply to company leases too.

Key Differences Between Commercial and Personal Vehicle Shipping

Documentation Requirements

Commercial shipments often need more documentation than personal ones. Depending on the purpose, you may need company authorization letters, bills of sale, fleet ownership records or employer letters for employee relocations. We’ll confirm exactly what’s required for your situation when you book.

Document	Leaving the US	Entering Canada	Entering the US
Proof of ownership	Original title at US Customs 72 hours before export	Title or registration	Title or registration
Export or import filing	AES filing and ITN	Form 1 and RIV for vehicles under 15 years old	CBP Form 7501
Compliance	—	Recall clearance letter	EPA 3520-1, DOT HS-7 and letter of compliance
Financing	Lien or lessor letter if financed or leased	—	—

Missing one document can hold up the whole load, so check the full list of customs documents for shipping a car across the border before scheduling pickup.

Customs Classification

How a vehicle is classified at the border affects duties and taxes. A person moving to Canada can often bring a vehicle they already own and use as settlers’ effects without duty, but a vehicle bought or shipped for business use doesn’t qualify. Tariffs also depend on where the vehicle was built and its age, so check the current US-Canada vehicle tariffs before you ship. Commercial imports usually go through a licensed customs broker.

Fleet Coordination

Moving several vehicles at once means coordinating pickup locations, border timing and delivery windows. We handle fleet shipments of all sizes and can arrange staggered or simultaneous deliveries.

How the Process Works for Commercial Shipments

Step 1: Request a Fleet or Commercial Quote

Tell us the number of vehicles, the pickup and delivery locations, the vehicle types and your timeline. We’ll send a detailed transport quote and flag any customs steps to plan for.

Step 2: Documentation Review

We review the purpose of the shipment and confirm the documents needed for customs. For fleet shipments, this happens before any vehicles are scheduled so there are no surprises at the border.

Step 3: Coordinated Pickup

Vehicles are picked up from your chosen location, such as a corporate office, dealership lot or employee’s home. Door-to-door service is available across the US and Canada, and our cross-border terminals offer drop-off options.

Step 4: Cross-Border Customs

We help with the customs paperwork, file the ITN for US exports and coordinate with your customs broker on the import side. Each vehicle is documented and cleared through the right port of entry, and knowing what to expect at the border helps you plan the timing.

Step 5: Delivery and Confirmation

Vehicles are inspected and delivered to their destination addresses. For fleet shipments, we can provide consolidated delivery records for your files. We keep you updated throughout.

Insurance on Commercial Shipments

Every vehicle we transport includes cargo insurance at no additional cost. For high-value fleet vehicles or specialty corporate vehicles, additional coverage can be arranged before shipment. Understanding insurance for shipping a vehicle across borders helps you decide whether your fleet needs more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you handle large fleet shipments with tight delivery deadlines?

Yes. Contact us with your timeline and fleet size. We’ll be upfront about what’s achievable and work around your operational schedule where possible. Booking several weeks ahead, or 4 to 8 weeks in peak season, gives the most flexibility.

Does commercial vehicle transport cost more than personal vehicle shipping?

Transport costs are based on the same factors: route, distance, vehicle size, service type and timing. Duties, taxes and customs broker fees for commercial imports are separate from the transport cost, so budget for them as well.

Can you ship vehicles for employees relocating on work permits or visas?

Yes. Employees moving for a work assignment can often bring a vehicle in temporarily, as long as it isn’t sold and leaves when the assignment ends. We can coordinate both directions of the shipment.

Do you ship dealership inventory across the border?

Yes. Dealer transfers between the US and Canada need commercial export and import documentation, usually with a licensed customs broker handling the import entry. We help with the paperwork and coordinate pickup, border crossing and delivery.

What documents does a commercial vehicle shipment need?

Each vehicle needs proof of ownership (the original title for US exports, sent to US Customs 72 hours ahead), a bill of sale or company authorization, an ITN from the AES export filing, and a lien letter if financed. Imports also need Form 1 and RIV for Canada, or CBP 7501, EPA, and DOT forms for the US.