Businesses relocating employees, dealerships moving inventory, and corporations managing cross-border fleets all face the same challenge — getting vehicles across the US-Canada border legally, on time, and without logistics headaches. US Canada Auto Transport has been handling commercial and fleet vehicle shipments since 1985. Here’s how the process works.
What Counts as Commercial Vehicle Transport?
Commercial vehicle transport covers any shipment where the vehicle is being moved for business purposes rather than personal use. Common scenarios 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 visa and student vehicle imports — temporary vehicle transport for the duration of a work or study assignment
- Lease returns — returning a leased vehicle to the originating country
Key Differences Between Commercial and Personal Vehicle Shipping
Documentation Requirements
Commercial shipments often require additional documentation beyond what personal vehicle shipping needs. Depending on the purpose of the shipment, you may need corporate authorization letters, bill of sale documentation, fleet ownership records, or employer verification for employee relocations. We’ll walk you through exactly what’s required for your specific situation at the time of booking.
Customs Classification
How your vehicle is classified at the border affects duties and taxes. A vehicle being imported as part of an employee relocation package may qualify for duty exemptions that a standard commercial purchase does not. Getting the classification right from the start avoids delays and unexpected costs at the border — this is where working with an experienced cross-border carrier matters.
Fleet Coordination
Moving multiple vehicles simultaneously requires scheduling coordination across pickup locations, border timing, and delivery windows. We handle fleet shipments of all sizes and can coordinate staggered or simultaneous deliveries depending on your operational requirements.
How the Process Works for Commercial Shipments
Step 1 — Request a Fleet or Commercial Quote
Contact us with the number of vehicles, origin and destination locations, vehicle types, and your required delivery timeline. We’ll provide a detailed quote that breaks down transport costs and any applicable customs fees.
Step 2 — Documentation Review
We review the purpose of the shipment and advise on the exact documentation required for customs clearance. For fleet shipments this typically happens before any vehicles are scheduled for pickup so there are no surprises at the border.
Step 3 — Coordinated Pickup
Vehicles are picked up from your specified location — corporate office, dealership lot, employee residence, or any other address. Door-to-door service is available across all US states and Canadian provinces.
Step 4 — Cross-Border Customs Handling
We manage all customs paperwork and border coordination. Every vehicle in the shipment is documented and cleared through the appropriate port of entry.
Step 5 — Delivery and Confirmation
Vehicles are delivered to their destination addresses with condition inspection at delivery. For fleet shipments we can provide consolidated delivery confirmation documentation for your records.
Insurance on Commercial Shipments
Every vehicle we transport includes automatic insurance coverage up to $7,000 at no additional cost. For high-value fleet vehicles or specialty corporate vehicles, additional coverage can be arranged before shipment. We recommend discussing your coverage requirements at the time of booking if your vehicles exceed standard coverage thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you handle large fleet shipments with tight delivery deadlines?
Yes. Contact us directly to discuss your timeline and fleet size. We’ll be upfront about what’s achievable and work around your operational schedule where possible.
Do commercial shipments cost more than personal vehicle shipping?
Transport costs are based on the same factors as personal shipments — route, vehicle size, and timing. The difference is in the documentation complexity and customs handling, which we include in our service at no additional charge.
Can you ship vehicles for employees relocating on work visas?
Yes. Temporary vehicle imports for work visa holders are a common shipment type we handle. The vehicle must return to its country of registration when the visa expires, and we can coordinate both directions of the shipment.
Do you ship dealership inventory across the border?
Yes. Dealership-to-dealership inventory transfers between the US and Canada require commercial import/export documentation. We have experience with dealership shipments and can handle the customs requirements specific to commercial vehicle sales.
