Terminal-to-Terminal Auto Shipping: Cost-Effective Options for USA-Canada Transport

Terminal-to-terminal auto shipping is the most cost-effective way to move a car between the USA and Canada. Instead of a truck coming to your home, you drop off your car at one of our cross-border terminals and pick it up at another. If you live near a terminal, it can make your move noticeably lighter on your wallet.

This guide explains how terminal shipping works, where our terminals are, how it compares with door-to-door and more ways to save. US Canada Auto Transport has been shipping vehicles across the border since 1985.

What is terminal-to-terminal shipping?

Terminal-to-terminal auto shipping is a transport option where you deliver your car to a terminal and collect it from a terminal, instead of the carrier handling the whole door-to-door process.

Because you handle the first and last miles yourself, the carrier saves time and fuel, and you save money. It’s a good fit if you live near a terminal and don’t mind taking an active role in your vehicle’s move.

Our cross-border terminals

We have eight terminals dedicated to shipping between Canada and the USA, close to the busiest border crossings.

Terminal	Address	Handy for
New Westminster, BC	310 Stanley St, New Westminster, BC V3M 5H2	Vancouver and the Lower Mainland
Ingersoll, ON	129 Oakwood St, Ingersoll, ON N5C 3J7	Southwestern Ontario and the Toronto area
Bellingham, WA	4653 Guide Meridian, Bellingham, WA 98226	The Blaine crossing into BC
Lakewood, WA	9393 Lakeview Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98499	Seattle and Tacoma
Great Falls, MT	4825 53rd Ave SW, Great Falls, MT 59404	Routes to Alberta
Redford Charter Twp, MI	22520 W Warren Ave, Redford Charter Twp, MI 48239	Detroit and Windsor
Chanhassen, MN	1591 Park Rd, Chanhassen, MN 55317	Minneapolis and routes to Manitoba
Lewiston, NY	4890 Saunders Settlement Rd, Lewiston, NY 14092	Buffalo, Niagara and the Toronto area

How terminal-to-terminal shipping works

1. Book your shipment: Request a quote and book to get your booking number.
2. Prepare the paperwork: For a car leaving the US, the export is filed in AES and the original title must reach US Customs at least 72 hours before the crossing. Our list of US-Canada customs documents covers both directions.
3. Drop off your car: Bring your car to the terminal with your booking number. Same-day drop-off is available once you’re booked. Only running vehicles are accepted, and no personal items can be left inside.
4. Border crossing: We transport the car across the border, where it’s exported and imported.
5. Pick up your car: Collect your car at the destination terminal and inspect it before you sign.

Terminal-to-terminal vs. door-to-door

	Terminal-to-terminal	Door-to-door
Cost	Usually lower	A little higher
Pickup and delivery	You drop off and collect at a terminal	At your chosen addresses
Best for	People living near a terminal	Anyone who wants maximum convenience
Vehicles	Running vehicles only	Running and non-running vehicles

Prefer the convenience of home pickup? Our guide to door-to-door car shipping from the USA to Canada covers it, and you can also mix the two options, as explained in terminal-to-door vs. door-to-terminal shipping.

Cost-effective options

Here are more ways to cut the cost of your cross-border move, whether you’re heading to Vancouver, Toronto, or anywhere in between.

• Ship multiple vehicles together: Shipping more than one vehicle with the same company can lower the price per car.
• Compare rates before booking: Request quotes and compare what’s included, plus reviews and service quality. Typical cross-border car shipping rates give you a benchmark.
• Avoid the snowbird peaks: Prices are highest southbound from October to December and northbound from March to May. Late summer, early fall, and mid-January to February are usually quieter and cheaper. Our guide on the best time to book snowbird car shipping explains the timing.
• Ask about discounts: Ask whether any promotions or discounts apply to your shipment.
• Be flexible with dates: A few days of flexibility on pickup and delivery helps us find the best-priced space on a carrier.
• Choose open transport: Open transport is the most affordable option. Enclosed transport typically costs 30–60% more.
• Keep a quarter tank of fuel: Keep the fuel tank at a quarter full or less, which carriers require for safety and weight.
• Leave the car empty: Remove all personal items. They aren’t allowed at our terminals, and they can cause problems at customs.

How to get discounts on car transport

Beyond the tips above, here are more ways to save:

• Military, veteran, and first responder discount: We honor the dedication of military personnel, veterans, and first responders with an exclusive discount. Ask about it when you request your quote.
• Other eligibility: Ask whether special rates are available for students, seniors, or other groups.
• Multiple vehicles: If you’re shipping more than one vehicle, ask about a multi-vehicle discount.

US Canada Auto Transport: your cross-border car shipping partner

US Canada Auto Transport provides cross-border vehicle shipping for cars, SUVs, pickups and classic vehicles between Canada and the USA, with terminal and door-to-door options to suit your budget. Motorcycles are shipped by our sister company, AA Motorcycle Shipping.

The cost of shipping your vehicle depends on its size, the route, and the season. Duty, GST, and vehicle tariffs are paid separately at the border.

How to get a car shipping quote

1. Fill out the quote form on the US Canada Auto Transport website.
2. Give accurate details, including the make, model, year, and the pickup and drop-off terminals or addresses.
3. Request your quote and confirm the shipping date.
4. Contact our team with any questions.

We’re happy to help you save with terminal-to-terminal auto shipping between the United States and Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is terminal-to-terminal auto shipping?

You drop off your car at one of our cross-border terminals and pick it up at another, instead of having a truck come to your home. It usually costs less than door-to-door shipping because the carrier saves time and fuel.

Is terminal-to-terminal shipping cheaper than door-to-door?

Usually, yes. The carrier doesn’t have to make extra trips to residential addresses, so terminal shipping typically costs less. How much you save depends on your route and how far you live from a terminal.

Where are your cross-border terminals?

We have 8 cross-border terminals: New Westminster BC, Ingersoll ON, Bellingham WA, Lakewood WA, Great Falls MT, Redford Charter Township MI, Chanhassen MN and Lewiston NY.

Can I drop off my car at a terminal the same day?

Yes. Book your shipment first to get a booking number, then you can drop off the car the same day. Terminals accept running vehicles only, with no personal items inside.

Can I leave personal items in my car at the terminal?

No. Personal items aren’t allowed in vehicles at our terminals. Remove all belongings before drop-off.

Do I still need customs paperwork if I use a terminal?

Yes. For a car leaving the US, the export must be filed in AES, and the original title must reach US Customs at least 72 hours before the crossing. The import into Canada or the US needs its own forms, whichever service you choose.