What should you send to get a U.S.–Canada freight quote?

This page is part of the U.S.–Canada freight shipping guide. For the general quote checklist, see what information you need for a freight quote.

How the quote gets built

We structure the load details, flag missing or conflicting transportation facts, identify likely equipment, review the lane and crossing, price the transportation, and then ask only for what is still missing and matters. That is faster than discovering the key question once a carrier is already involved.

What the shipper needs

• Pickup. Address or city, state and ZIP; contact; ready date; hours or appointment; dock, forklift, crane or ground loading.
• Delivery. Address or city, province and postal code; date or window; appointment rules; unloading method; site restrictions.
• Freight. Commodity; pieces, pallets or crates; length × width × height; total weight; heavy single pieces; stackability; photos or drawings for unusual freight.
• Equipment. Dry van, reefer, flatbed, step deck, RGN or "not sure". If you are not sure, the freight facts are enough; the Freight Load Planner shows likely options.
• Border and customs. Canadian importer of record, customs broker, preferred crossing, CARM status, CUSMA certification status if relevant, regulated-product requirements.
• Special requirements. Temperature control, hazmat or dangerous goods, tarps, team service, high value, crane loading, driver assist, inside delivery, oversize, time-critical appointments.

Copy-and-paste template

Use this in the description box of the quote request or in an email. Southbound loads work the same way; swap the pickup and delivery lines.

U.S.–CANADA FREIGHT QUOTE REQUEST

Pickup
City, State, ZIP:
Ready date:
Hours / appointment:
Loading method (dock, forklift, crane, ground):

Delivery
City, Province, Postal code:
Date or window:
Hours / appointment:
Unloading method:

Freight
Commodity:
Pieces / pallets:
Dimensions (L x W x H):
Total weight:
Stackable (yes/no):

Equipment
Trailer type (or not sure):
Temperature, tarp or other needs:

Border
Importer of record (or pending):
Customs broker (or pending):
CARM ready (yes / no / not sure):
Preferred crossing (if any):

Special instructions:

What changes the plan

• Dimensions near a limit. Measure; do not estimate. See how to measure freight correctly.
• Oversize. A different quote entirely; see oversize freight to Canada.
• Customs status unknown. We can still quote; the schedule depends on it.

Common failure points

• Weights and counts that differ between the quote request and the invoice.
• "Broker handles it" with no broker named.
• No postal code for the Canadian delivery.

Common questions

Can a quote be requested before the customs broker is chosen?

Yes. Mark it pending. We will price the transportation and point out what the schedule depends on.

Does the quote include duties and taxes?

No. Our quote covers the transportation. Duties, taxes and brokerage fees are handled by the importer and its customs broker.

Is the dimension needed if the weight is known?

Yes. Dimensions decide the equipment and whether the load needs permits.

Official sources

• CBSA: Guide to importing commercial goods into Canada
• CBSA: Set up your business to import (CARM)

Last verified: 27 September 2026 against the official sources listed.