LTL Rates from New York City to Montreal
Northeast-to-Quebec northbound LTL via the Champlain–Lacolle commercial crossing — fast transit, fashion and biotech heavy.
New York City (10001) → Montreal (H2X 1Y4) · 370 mi · 1–2 business days
Sample LTL Estimates
Estimates are ±15–25% directional ranges based on public benchmarks (SMC³ CzarLite, Coyote Logistics, Project44 LTL index) and current EIA diesel pricing. Real carrier rates vary by tariff, contract, and lane density. Customize this estimate →
Lane Facts
Border Crossing
Primary: Champlain–Lacolle (Highway 87 / A-15)
Alternates:
- Highgate Springs (longer for Montreal routing)
- Trout River
Top Carriers on This Lane
- · A. Duie Pyle
- · Saia
- · Old Dominion
- · TFI International / TForce Freight
- · Day & Ross
Common Freight Classes
Class 70, 100, 110, 125
Don't know your class? Use the freight class calculator.
Common Accessorials
- Appointment delivery · $35
- Limited access · $90
- Pre-delivery notification · $25
About This Lane
NYC to Montreal is the heaviest US Northeast-to-Quebec LTL flow, running north via I-87 through the Champlain–Lacolle commercial port. The lane is dominated by US regional carriers on the outbound side: A. Duie Pyle, Saia, and Old Dominion all operate dense Northeast metro terminals that handle the NYC origin pickup, including the restricted-access Manhattan blocks that send most freight through cross-docks in New Jersey (Carteret, Edison, Secaucus) before the line haul to Quebec. TFI/TForce and Day & Ross dominate the inbound-Montreal distribution leg with deep Quebec terminal density.
Standard transit is 1–2 business days, with 1-day achievable for shipments tendered to A. Duie Pyle or Saia before 11 AM ET. Most NYC-origin freight consolidates at NJ cross-docks before tendering, which compresses per-pound cost on bulk shipments and avoids Manhattan accessorial stacking (limited-access $90, residential $50, inside delivery $75). Champlain–Lacolle handles roughly 1,800 commercial trucks per day and clears most LTL freight in 30–45 minutes during business hours.
Northbound customs at Champlain–Lacolle: PAPS filing and ACI eManifest are required; all major carriers include this in the base rate. Quebec-specific note: while bilingual labeling under Bill 96 applies to consumer-facing products sold in Quebec, cross-border shipping documents (BOL, commercial invoice, customs declarations) are accepted in English by CBSA. Common northbound freight: NYC fashion and apparel (class 100 to 110 thanks to lower density), small electronics (class 125), and US-pharma to Montreal biotech (class 70 to 100). Class 110 fashion freight often costs disproportionately more on this lane due to density penalties — confirm density before booking. FSC tracks the dry-van LTL composite around 35% of base.
Fashion and apparel — this lane's signature freight — is a reclassification magnet because it's low-density and class is density-driven. A few extra inches of air in the carton or a soft, unpalletized stack can push a class-100 booking to 110 or higher at the dock scale, with a reweigh and reclass fee on top. Bag-and-box tightly, palletize, and verify density with the freight-class tool before tendering. On entry, remember US apparel often carries high MFN duty rates into Canada unless it qualifies for CUSMA preference — confirm origin and HS classification so the duty estimate, not just the freight, is realistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pick up directly in Manhattan or use a NJ cross-dock?
Use a NJ cross-dock (Carteret, Edison, Secaucus) whenever possible. Manhattan pickups stack accessorials: limited-access ($90), residential ($50), and tight appointment windows are common rather than optional. Routing through a NJ cross-dock typically saves 20–30% on the origin leg and unlocks the broader line-haul carrier pool.
Do I need French-language documentation for Quebec deliveries?
No — under CBSA rules, cross-border shipping documents (BOL, customs invoice, ACI manifest) are accepted in English. Quebec's Bill 96 requirements apply to consumer-facing product packaging and labeling sold in Quebec, not to the shipping paperwork itself. Most carriers operating the lane provide bilingual documentation by default for convenience.
How fast can I get LTL from NYC to Montreal?
Same-day pickup with next-day Montreal delivery is achievable for shipments tendered to A. Duie Pyle, Saia, or TFI/TForce before 11 AM ET from a NJ cross-dock or NYC metro pickup. Standard LTL service is 1–2 business days; guaranteed service adds 8–15% to the base rate but locks the delivery window.
Why does apparel freight get reclassified on NYC–Montreal?
Freight class is based on density, and apparel is light and bulky, so loose packing or extra carton air can bump it from class 100 to 110 or higher at the terminal scale — triggering a reweigh and reclass fee. Pack tightly, palletize, and confirm density with the freight-class calculator before booking to lock the class you quoted.
Who is the importer of record for US goods shipped to Montreal?
Usually the Canadian consignee, who must be set up with CBSA (including CARM registration and financial security) to clear commercial freight. The carrier files the PAPS/ACI eManifest but doesn't assume the importer's customs account. Agree on importer-of-record responsibility and confirm CARM registration before shipping to avoid a border hold.
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