For many in the transportation industry, Alaska is synonymous with unpredictability.
Remote destinations, rugged geography, and extreme weather combine across Alaska’s wide expanses, presenting challenges that can put even the most seasoned freight shippers to the test. Obstacles like snowy streets, road closures, and limited infrastructure abound.
The prospect of shipping to Alaska — whether for the first time or the hundredth — can be daunting, and it’s understandable to feel intimidated by The Last Frontier’s reputation.
When facing such a task, it’s crucial to work with experts who can guide you through the intricacies of shipping to the northernmost state in the union.
Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) has been helping customers manage their Alaskan shipments for decades, earning us our extensive experience in navigating the quirks of the process.
In this article, we’ll leverage that expertise to delve into everything you need to know about shipping to Alaska, from the impact of weather and geography to cost factors, transportation options, the customs process, and more.
You’ll come away with practical tips and best practices to help you plan and execute your Alaskan shipments smoothly, and be better equipped to optimize your shipping strategies and mitigate risks.
Whether you're shipping for the first time or looking to improve your current logistics operations, this article offers valuable insights to help you navigate the complexities of Alaskan freight transport.
So, shimmy into your snowsuit and rev up that Ski-Doo — we’re Alaska-bound, baby!
- How does Alaskan geography and weather impact shipping?
- Is shipping to Alaska expensive?
- What modes of transportation are used to ship to Alaska?
- What do shippers need to know about Alaskan border crossings?
- What are best practices for shipping to Alaska?
Alaskan Weather and Geography
Beautiful though it may be, shipping within Alaska can sometimes be less than picturesque.
As the northernmost U.S. state, Alaska is home to unforgiving weather conditions and challenging geography that can create something of a hostile work environment for drivers.
Alaska presents increased environmental risks virtually year-round. A good rule of thumb: The further north and west a shipment’s destination, the more extreme the Alaskan weather it may encounter on its journey, particularly in the winter months.
Transportation providers and drivers must be prepared for anything from frigid temps and tons of snow to flooding, landslides, and forest fires.
Remember that world events can also impact crossings (like the threat of a strike at the Canadian border, for example), so it’s important to stay informed of any relevant headlines in the days leading up to your freight movement.
Given these factors, experienced drivers are a must for Alaskan shipments. Your transportation provider will need extra lead time to secure drivers who have driven Alaskan lanes in all seasons and can be trusted to navigate seriously inclement weather, road conditions and closures, and emergencies like breakdowns in remote areas.
While Anchorage and Fairbanks are similar to any U.S. city in the lower 48 states, other locations may have limited infrastructure on top of limited access to resources like roadside assistance, truck parts and repairs, and even food and lodging.
If your shipment is destined for a more remote Alaskan address, it will be especially important to work with your transportation provider regarding your shipping schedule and timelines.
Late April through September is the best period for shipping to Alaska, as the weather is less likely to be hazardous, so try to pack as much movement into those months as you can.
Regardless of the time of year, it’s wise to build in some additional time to account for potential delays due to weather, road closures, and other unforeseeables. This will help ensure your shipment is delivered on time — no matter what the Alaskan climate throws at your driver.
Related: How to Prepare Your Supply Chain for Disruptive Events
What Does Shipping to Alaska Cost?
There’s no getting around it: Shipping to Alaska is expensive.
In our experience as a transportation provider, we’ve found that shipping to Alaska can be anywhere from three to five times more expensive than shipping in the lower 48 states.
A variety of factors affect these costs:
- Dimensions. Over-dimensional (OD) freight that exceeds legal limits for length, width, height or weight will cost more (and require extra permitting) than legal freight.
- Distance. Shipping from California to Alaska will cost less than freight that must travel from New Hampshire.
- Mode. Air freight will always be more expensive than shipping via truck, for example.
- Seasonality. Transportation providers are likely to charge more to move freight into Alaska in winter, when inclement weather is more likely to cause delays.
- Timeline. On average, it takes 10-12 days for a truck to get up to Alaska from the contiguous U.S. Getting freight there faster will cost more — if it’s even possible, given the modality in question.
Wise shippers will work with their transportation providers to choose the right shipping method and consolidate shipments to get the most bang for their buck. Building in some extra budget for unexpected expenses will also help Alaska-proof your bottom line.
What Modes of Transportation Are Used to Ship to Alaska?
With its wide expanses of wilderness, it’s easy for shippers to assume their modality options will be limited when shipping to Alaska. Thankfully, that’s a misconception.
Shippers can leverage truck, rail, air and ocean freight carriers to transport their shipments to Alaska. The advantages and disadvantages of each mode are much the same as they are in the lower 48 — though some are heightened by Alaska’s comparative remoteness, such as transit times and cost.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of using each of these modalities in Alaska:
Air Transport
Advantages: Speed and reliability. Whereas overland and ocean transport will have extended timelines, air freight is quick, consistent, and (in some respects) less susceptible to environmental hazards.
Disadvantages: Cost and capacity. Air freight is expensive, and space aboard an aircraft is limited, particularly when compared to massive cargo ships.
Related: Understanding Air Cargo Shipments
Ocean Transport
Advantages: Cost-effectiveness for large shipments. Shipping to Alaska is expensive no matter which modality you choose, but opting for ocean transport can stretch the budgets of shippers with high-volume (or just dimensionally large) loads.
Disadvantages: Longer transit times and limited ports. Ocean freight moves slowly, so it won’t be the best choice for shipments that need to get where they’re going ASAP. Alaska also has limited port options, some of which (like Juneau) aren’t accessible by land, further complicating matters. Additionally, container shipping rates have been especially high as of late, which may limit the budget-friendliness of this option.
Overland (Truck and Rail) Transport
Advantages: Cost-effectiveness for smaller or more sporadic shipments. Again, shipping to Alaska by any means is going to be expensive, but truck or rail is usually the most budget-friendly option. If you’re only occasionally shipping to Alaska, or don’t have the volume to warrant ocean passage, a truck or train is often your best bet.
Disadvantages: As mentioned above, some locations in Alaska aren’t easily accessible by land, if at all. In some areas, roads may not be paved, street lighting may be scarce or nonexistent, and environmental hazards like snow or landslides can close routes for days or weeks. This makes trip planning more complex, as drivers must expect the unexpected, particularly when traveling unfamiliar routes.
Related: [Video] How Are Freight Shipping Costs Actually Calculated?
At the Border: Alaskan Shipping Customs and Regulations
Shipping to Alaska is not considered international shipping, regardless of the fact that the freight will cross international borders to reach its destination.
While it’s true that drivers must pass through Canada to transport freight to Alaska via truck, Alaska-bound freight goes through a different customs process than goods destined for Canada.
The key differences come down to two requirements:
- Paperwork clearly stating the cargo will not be offloaded in Canada
- An in-transit bond secured by the transportation provider.
Paperwork for Shipping to Alaska
Before any freight moves, your transportation provider is responsible for arranging any necessary transit permits and licenses.
They will also submit shipment information to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) in advance, using the Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS).
This step allows the CBSA to review and pre-approve the shipment, facilitating quicker processing at the border.
Upon reaching the U.S.-Canada border, truck drivers must present the necessary documentation to customs agents. This includes a bill of lading (BOL), invoices, packing lists, and an Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing, if applicable.
These documents must clearly declare that the goods are in-transit to Alaska and not being imported into Canada.
In the case of OD freight, drivers will have to go to the permitting office to purchase their permit in-person. Experienced transportation providers will be able to advise both the shipper and the driver on this process.
In-Transit Bond for Shipping to Alaska
Unlike goods intended for Canadian destinations, freight bound for Alaska also requires an in-transit bond.
This bond is essentially a guarantee to the Canadian government that the shipment will exit the country and ensures compliance with Canadian customs regulations.
It is the responsibility of your transportation provider to secure an in-transit bond from a surety company before your Alaska-bound shipment moves.
Selecting a provider that is experienced in cross-border shipping, specifically shipping to Alaska, will ensure these steps are completed efficiently and accurately.
Customs and Beyond
The CBSA may conduct inspections to confirm the cargo matches the declarations on the provided documents and that there are no prohibited items. After clearing customs, the truck can transit through Canada following designated routes and comply with Canadian regulations.
Once the truck reaches the Canada-Alaska border on its way into Alaska, the driver will “check out” with Canadian customs, again presenting required documentation to confirm the goods are leaving the country.
Awareness of these unique requirements and proper preparation will help shippers avoid delays, additional costs, and potential legal issues at the border.
Best Practices for Shipping to Alaska
When it comes to shipping to Alaska, trip planning is a shipper’s best friend.
At ATS, it’s not uncommon for our team to do about five times more planning for one Alaska-bound load than we do for 50 loads moving in the lower 48 states.
Why? In addition to the consideration we’ve already covered — seasonality, geography, world events, and mode of transportation — it takes extra time to find the right driver (i.e. one with ample experience driving in Alaska), equip them with snow chains and extra tires, and review the latest weather and current events to plan the best route.
That’s why we recommend giving your transportation provider at least a week of lead time prior to your expected pickup.
This will give your provider the time necessary to formulate the most efficient, effective trip plan for your shipment.
But there’s more a shipper can do to contribute to the success of their Alaska-bound shipments than allow ample lead time. For example, the sooner you can provide comprehensive load information, the better.
Giving your transportation provider complete, accurate load details (including the commodity type and description, correct measurements, and any/all unique requirements or considerations) will go a long way toward a smooth crossing at the border.
Finally, as you prepare your goods for transit, consider both the mode of transportation and the forecasted weather in Canada and Alaska.
You may need to change up your packaging to better protect your freight in extreme weather and cold temperatures, particularly if your goods will be traveling on an open-deck trailer.
As always, communication with your transportation provider will be key to the success of your Alaskan shipments. But by following these additional best practices, you can better position your shipments to brave the long journey to Alaska without incident.
Planning for North-Bound Shipments
From extreme weather and remote destinations to unique customs procedures and requirements, shipping to Alaska can be more complex and challenging than the average U.S. shipment.
Understanding the nuances of Alaskan geography and seasonality, the costs associated with shipping to Alaska via different transportation modes, and the necessary documentation and permits is crucial for successful shipments.
Our advice can be summed up in a single word: Planning.
Diligently planning ahead, choosing the right transportation provider, and preparing for unexpected outcomes can make all the difference in delivering your goods safely and on time.
By staying proactive and communicative — remember to give plenty of lead time and accurate load info! — and working with your transportation provider to devise the best possible trip plan, you can mitigate the risks that come with shipping to Alaska.
Shipping freight to Alaska and Canada? You double-dipper, you! Check out our short video on Shipping Freight To and From Canada to get a quick primer on shipping to The Great White North.
It will give you a solid foundation of knowledge to kick off your Canadian shipping plans — and help contextualize the differences between those loads and Alaska-bound shipments, to boot.
