Borders are paperwork. We handle the paperwork.
US to Canada and cross-border freight shipping with customs coordination built into every load - from a team headquartered minutes from the Ambassador Bridge.
Detroit HQ - minutes from the busiest commercial border crossing in North America.
Borders are paperwork.
Varstar Alliance is a Detroit-based, asset-based freight brokerage that moves truckload, LTL and temperature-controlled freight between the United States and Canada. We do not own the trucks; we commit vetted, bonded carriers to your lane and answer for the whole move.
Cross-border freight fails on paperwork, not miles. A missing commercial invoice, a late eManifest or a PARS/PAPS number that never reached the customs broker can hold a truck at the border for hours. Our team checks every document before pickup, coordinates directly with your customs broker, and tracks the load through the crossing so you know when it clears.
We run the Detroit-Windsor (Ambassador Bridge and Gordie Howe International Bridge) and Port Huron-Sarnia crossings every day, with lanes reaching Toronto, the GTA, Southwestern Ontario, Quebec and beyond.
Equipment & Coverage
Equipment Types
- 53' dry van
- Reefer (temperature-controlled)
- Flatbed and step deck
- LTL consolidation
Key Lanes
- Detroit, MI - Toronto, ON
- Chicago, IL - Mississauga, ON
- Ohio - Southwestern Ontario
- Michigan - Montreal, QC
Why shippers choose us for Canada
- Detroit HQ with direct access to the Ambassador Bridge and Gordie Howe corridors
- Customs broker coordination and CBSA/CBP compliance support
- PARS/PAPS and ACE/ACI eManifest handled before the truck rolls
- Bonded carriers for in-bond freight
- FTL, LTL, reefer and flatbed cross-border options
- Bilingual team for Canadian operations
The process
How shipping from the US to Canada works with Varstar
- 01
Quote and lane plan
Share origin, destination, commodity and dates. We confirm equipment, crossing point and the carrier we will commit to the load.
- 02
Documents checked before pickup
We review the commercial invoice, bill of lading and certificate of origin (for USMCA/CUSMA goods) and send the PARS or PAPS number to your customs broker.
- 03
eManifest filed, truck dispatched
The carrier files the ACI eManifest (into Canada) or ACE eManifest (into the US) ahead of arrival, then picks up your freight.
- 04
Border crossing and delivery
We track the load through customs release and update you at the border and on delivery, with proof of delivery sent once it is signed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to ship freight from the US to Canada?
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At minimum: a commercial invoice (or Canada Customs Invoice), a bill of lading, and a PARS number from your customs broker. Goods claiming duty-free treatment under USMCA/CUSMA also need a certification of origin. Some commodities, such as food, need extra permits. We check all of these before pickup.
Do I need my own customs broker?
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Yes, the importer normally appoints a licensed customs broker to clear the goods. Varstar coordinates with your broker on PARS/PAPS numbers and eManifest timing so the paperwork and the truck arrive together. If you do not have one, we can point you to brokers we work with.
What is the difference between PARS and PAPS?
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PARS (Pre-Arrival Review System) is used for freight entering Canada; PAPS (Pre-Arrival Processing System) is used for freight entering the United States. Both let customs review the shipment before the truck reaches the border.
Which border crossings do you use?
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Mostly Detroit-Windsor (Ambassador Bridge and Gordie Howe International Bridge) and Port Huron-Sarnia (Blue Water Bridge), chosen per load based on destination and border wait times.
Is Varstar Alliance a carrier or a broker?
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Varstar is an asset-based freight brokerage. We do not own the trucks, but we commit vetted, bonded carriers to your lanes and take responsibility for the full move, including the border paperwork.
Your freight deserves better
than 'good enough.'
Talk to a Varstar freight expert today. No pressure, no sales pitch - just honest answers.