Customs Brokerage & Clearance
Queenston Customs Office
Garden City Customs Services Inc. is a licensed Canadian customs broker with a physical presence at the Queenston border crossing, supporting commercial freight moving between the United States and Canada through the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge.
Our Queenston customs operation supports commercial importers with customs clearance, PARS processing, CARM, Release Prior to Payment, tariff classification, duties and taxes, CBSA release processing, and ongoing import compliance.
Garden City has served Canadian importers since 1981 and maintains customs operations in Queenston, Fort Erie, and Niagara Falls.
14154 Niagara River Pkwy, Room 213, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Garden City Customs Services Inc.
Businesses preparing commercial freight through the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge can speak with our customs team before the shipment reaches the border.
Customs Brokerage at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge
The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge connects Lewiston, New York with Queenston in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
On the U.S. side, the crossing connects directly with Interstate 190 and Route 104. On the Canadian side, traffic connects with Highway 405 and the Queen Elizabeth Way, creating an important commercial freight corridor between Western New York, Niagara, the Greater Toronto Area, and the rest of Southern Ontario.
The crossing permits commercial truck traffic and maintains dedicated customs infrastructure for commercial vehicles.
Garden City's Queenston presence places our customs brokerage operation directly within this cross-border environment.
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission currently lists Garden City Brokers in Office 213 of the Queenston customs warehouse, alongside the commercial customs operations supporting the crossing.
For importers moving recurring U.S.–Canada highway freight, that provides an actual local brokerage presence rather than simply remote service advertised to Queenston.
Garden City can assist with commercial shipments including:
- Manufacturing materials and components
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Wholesale merchandise
- Retail inventory
- Automotive products
- Commercial vehicles
- Food and regulated goods
- Low Value Shipments
- Specialized commercial imports
- Recurring truck freight from the United States
Our Queenston presence is particularly relevant to shipments using the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge, but our customs brokerage services are not restricted to one crossing.
Canada's national customs broker licensing system allows Garden City to transact customs business at CBSA commercial offices throughout the country.
Learn more about our Canadian customs brokerage services.
Commercial Customs Clearance Through Queenston
Commercial customs clearance begins before the truck reaches the Canadian border.
A properly prepared shipment may require coordination between the importer, customs broker, carrier, exporter, and applicable government agencies.
For shipments entering at Queenston, Garden City can review customs information in advance so the transaction is prepared for CBSA processing when the freight reaches the crossing.
PARS Clearance at the Queenston Border
The Pre-Arrival Review System, commonly known as PARS, is widely used for commercial highway freight entering Canada.
The customs broker can prepare and electronically transmit the release request before the truck reaches Queenston.
Information commonly required includes:
- Commercial invoice
- Importer information
- Seller or exporter information
- Detailed product descriptions
- Quantity
- Value
- Currency
- Country of origin
- Carrier information
- Cargo Control Number
- Applicable permits or certificates
Pre-arrival submission gives CBSA an opportunity to review the customs transaction before the truck reports at the border.
However, pre-arrival processing does not mean the goods have already been released.
The associated cargo must reach the required arrival stage and CBSA must communicate the applicable release decision.
Our guide to How CBSA Release Processing Works in Canada explains PARS, cargo arrival, referrals, examinations, and customs release in more detail.
CARM and Release Prior to Payment
Commercial importers also need the appropriate setup within the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management system, known as CARM.
Businesses using Garden City as their customs broker may need to establish or confirm:
- Business Number
- RM import-export account
- CARM Client Portal access
- Broker delegation
- Release Prior to Payment
- Financial security where required
- Payment and accounting arrangements
Broker delegation is particularly important because registering for CARM does not automatically authorize Garden City to transact on the importer's behalf.
Businesses that still need to establish their account can follow our guide to How to Register for CARM in Canada.
Importers using release-before-payment privileges should also review Release Prior to Payment in Canada.
Tariff Classification, Origin and Customs Value
Before commercial goods can be declared accurately, the importer and customs broker need enough information to determine the correct customs treatment.
This can include:
- Canadian HS tariff classification
- Country of origin
- Tariff treatment
- Customs value
- Trade agreement eligibility
- Applicable surtaxes
- Anti-dumping or countervailing measures
- Other government requirements
The tariff classification is especially important because it can affect duties, permits, trade measures, and other import requirements.
Supplier-provided HS codes should not automatically be assumed to be the complete Canadian classification.
Our guide to HS Codes & Tariff Classification in Canada explains how Canadian tariff classifications are determined.
Businesses planning landed cost can also review Import Duties, Taxes & GST in Canada.
When a Queenston Shipment Is Referred by CBSA
Not every shipment moves immediately through the normal release process.
CBSA may require additional documentation, clarification, regulatory review, or examination.
Common problems can include:
- Missing commercial information
- Vague product descriptions
- Incorrect tariff classification
- Incorrect cargo information
- Missing permits
- Origin questions
- Customs valuation concerns
- CARM account problems
- Inactive RPP
- Other government department requirements
- CBSA examination referrals
A customs broker cannot guarantee that CBSA will never examine a shipment.
Proper preparation can, however, help prevent avoidable delays caused by missing or inconsistent information.
Read Common Reasons Shipments Are Held at Canadian Customs for more detail.
Why Importers Use Garden City Customs in Queenston
Garden City Customs Services Inc. has supported Canadian importers for more than four decades.
Our Queenston operation gives businesses something that many national or remote brokerage providers cannot offer: a physical brokerage presence directly at the Lewiston–Queenston commercial crossing.
Physical Presence at the Queenston Customs Warehouse
Garden City is located in Office 213 of the Queenston customs warehouse.
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission publicly lists Garden City among the customs brokers operating from the Queenston facility.
For companies regularly moving freight through this crossing, that gives the brokerage relationship a direct connection to the port their goods actually use.
Direct Commercial Import Support
Garden City primarily supports Canadian businesses and commercial importers.
Our clients include:
- Manufacturers
- Distributors
- Retailers
- Wholesalers
- Dealerships
- Transportation companies
- Equipment importers
- E-commerce businesses
- First-time importers
- Businesses moving recurring U.S.–Canada freight
For companies importing regularly, our goal is not simply to process one border entry.
We work to understand recurring products, suppliers, carriers, classification requirements, and customs procedures so future shipments can be handled more consistently.
Experience in the Niagara Border Corridor
Garden City maintains operations in:
- Queenston
- Fort Erie
- Niagara Falls
These locations position our customs team along major Canada–United States commercial corridors serving Southern Ontario.
Businesses using multiple Niagara crossings can maintain one brokerage relationship while their freight moves through different ports depending on carrier routing and operational requirements.
Customs Brokerage Beyond Queenston
Commercial customs clearance may also connect with other parts of the supply chain.
Garden City can support businesses requiring:
- Customs consulting and compliance
- Freight forwarding and transportation coordination
- Low Value Shipment clearance
- Commercial warehousing
- Inventory storage
- Pick and pack fulfillment
- Returns processing
- Reverse logistics
For importers moving goods through Niagara and distributing throughout Southern Ontario, combining customs expertise with logistics support can reduce unnecessary operational handoffs.
Canada-Wide Customs Clearance
A Queenston office does not mean Garden City can only clear Queenston freight.
Canadian customs brokers operate under a national licensing model.
Garden City's licence allows us to transact customs business at CBSA commercial offices throughout Canada.
A client may therefore use Queenston for recurring truck freight while also importing goods through Pearson, Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax, or another Canadian port.
Need a Customs Broker at Queenston?
If your business has commercial freight preparing to cross the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge, sending complete documentation before arrival gives our customs team the best opportunity to review the transaction in advance.
Garden City Customs Services Inc. provides customs brokerage support from our Queenston operation and clears commercial shipments through ports across Canada.
Talk to a Queenston Customs Broker
Lewiston–Queenston Bridge • PARS clearance • Commercial imports • Canada-wide customs brokerage
Queenston Customs Broker FAQ
Does Garden City Have a Customs Broker Office at Queenston?
Yes. Garden City maintains a physical customs brokerage presence at the Queenston border crossing. The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission lists Garden City Brokers in Office 213 of the Queenston customs warehouse.
Can Garden City Clear Commercial Trucks Through the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge?
Yes. Garden City supports commercial imports moving through the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge, including highway shipments using electronic release processes such as PARS. Whenever possible, customs documentation should be provided before the truck arrives so the release request can be prepared in advance.
What Is PARS at the Queenston Border?
PARS stands for Pre-Arrival Review System. It allows customs release information for eligible commercial goods to be submitted to CBSA before the truck arrives at Queenston. The system helps CBSA review the transaction in advance, although final release still depends on the cargo reaching the required arrival stage and CBSA authorizing release.
Does My Customs Broker Need to Be Located at Queenston?
No. Canada uses a national customs broker licensing model, meaning a licensed customs broker can transact customs business at CBSA commercial offices across Canada. However, Garden City's physical Queenston presence can be valuable for importers that regularly move commercial freight through the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge.
Can Garden City Clear Shipments at Other Canadian Ports?
Yes. Garden City's customs broker licence allows our team to support commercial customs transactions at CBSA offices across Canada. Clients can therefore maintain Garden City as their brokerage partner even when their shipments enter through ports outside Niagara.
Can Garden City Help a First-Time Commercial Importer?
Yes. Garden City works with businesses importing commercially for the first time. We can assist with CARM registration, broker delegation, RPP requirements, customs documentation, tariff classification, duties and taxes, and preparation for the first shipment. Our guide Do You Need a Business Number to Import Into Canada? is a useful starting point.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements depend on your specific goods and circumstances, so please confirm details with a licensed customs broker before you ship.