Nearshoring is the shift of production and suppliers closer to end markets. From a Canadian perspective, nearshoring logistics typically involves relocating sourcing and assembly within North America (Canada, U.S., and Mexico) to reduce lead times, mitigate risk, and enhance control. StraitLink Global is a Toronto-based forwarder and licensed Canadian customs broker; we manage Canadian brokerage, U.S. clearances through trusted partners, and end-to-end routing across modes. Learn what nearshoring means, what might happen next, what to expect, and how to prepare with StraitLink on your side.

What Nearshoring Means

• Scope, moving suppliers and finishing steps closer to Canada and the U.S., shortening lead times, reducing trans-Pacific exposure, building redundancy.
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• Network impact, more cross-border trucking, interline air and short-sea options, increased use of bonded movements, tighter coordination between Canadian plants and U.S./Mexican suppliers.
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• Customs workload, more frequent entries with smaller batch sizes, higher documentation precision, increased use of programs like CUSMA/USMCA preference, where eligible.
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What Might Happen

• Higher border volumes, more inspections and secondary checks, greater demand for CES facilities and bonded storage, and closer watch on rules of origin.
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• Tariff variability, policy shifts by the U.S. government or Canadian ministries can change landed costs, requiring quick re-classification and supplier pivots.
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• Capacity swings, periodic tightness in cross-border LTL and FTL, and changing cut-offs at rail ramps, airports, and terminals during peaks.
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What to Expect Operationally 

• More handoffs are involved, including the origin plant to the U.S./Mexico border, the border to Canadian distribution, and final-mile delivery to the consignee. Each handoff requires scans, counts, and timestamps.
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• Documentation precision, consistent HS codes, valuation, origin proofs, and CUSMA statements, where applicable, aligned to invoice and packing data.
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• Cut-off discipline, carrier, and terminal windows may advance during peaks; StraitLink adjusts pickup and filing to protect free time and appointment slots.
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5 steps shippers can take now

• Know your cargo, confirm HS codes, origin qualification, permits for controlled goods, and packaging specifications for machinery and sensitive equipment. Please share this information with us before booking.
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• Map backup routings, identify alternate gateways and carriers for each lane, include short-sea and air-bridge options, and pre-approve contingency costs for fast switches.
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• Investigate CES and bonded options, where inspections are likely. Use CES-capable lanes and consider a bonded warehouse or bonded cartage to complete clearance off-terminal.
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• Tune contracts and Incoterms, define who files entries, who carries insurance, and who pays for storage or demurrage, and align SLAs with Canadian and U.S. cut-off realities.
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• Harden packaging and visibility, crate to spec, add shock/tilt indicators, apply scannable labels, enable milestone alerts, store photo sets for accountability and claims support.
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How StraitLink Runs Nearshoring Logistics

• As a Canadian brokerage, we lodge CBSA entries, maintain your classification files, manage partner IDs, apply CUSMA where eligible, and prevent post-entry adjustments.
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• With U.S. clearance via our partners, we coordinate CBP entries with our U.S. broker network, synchronize paperwork on both sides, minimize duplicate queries, and ensure freight continues to move smoothly.
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• Routing and mode management, including truckload, LTL (non-reefer), air, ocean/short-sea, and interline services where needed. We pre-book alternates on sensitive lanes to protect timelines.
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• Through bonded and CES coordination, we arrange bonded moves when exams are likely, select CES facilities with reliable turn times, limit terminal dwell, and minimize unexpected storage.
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• What we don’t do is accept personal effects, nor do we provide LTL refrigerated service; however, we provide alternative guidance where appropriate.
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When to Look for a Decision 

• Policy milestones, we flag key CUSMA/USMCA review events, tariff announcements, and customs bulletins that affect North American nearshoring.
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• Capacity signals, we publish changes in carrier cut-offs, free-time rules, and appointment availability at major Canadian and U.S. gateways.
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• Client cadence, we send route-level advisories when your lanes face inspection surges, weather impacts, or policy shifts.

Nearshoring is effective when routing, customs, packaging, and contracts are aligned before the first shipment. StraitLink will classify, route, pre-clear, book bonded or CES where needed, and protect your cut-offs so your plan holds under pressure. Send StraitLink your target lanes and verticals list, and we’ll return a nearshoring logistics plan with routings, documents, and SOPs you can run now.