Port of Chicago, Iroquois Landing trucking to Ontario and Quebec
Ocean ships reach Chicago only while the Seaway is open, so Iroquois Landing lots land between April and December. Fission Logistics trucks breakbulk freight from the QSL terminal on Chicago's southeast side, which QSL runs as NASCO, to plants in Ontario and Quebec. It is about 815 km through Detroit or Port Huron, in bond under our own US Customs bond.
At a glance
| Carrier | Fission Logistics, Mississauga, Ontario. Port drayage and trucking to Ontario and Quebec only, in bond, on flatbed and Conestoga. |
|---|---|
| Terminal | Iroquois Landing, 3600 East 95th Street, Chicago, IL. Port of Chicago, Illinois International Port District. |
| Operator | QSL, running as NASCO (North America Stevedoring Company) |
| Gate | Near Interstate 90 and the Chicago Skyway |
| Free time | Not published. Get the last free day from QSL in writing. |
| Customs | In bond on a T&E under our own US bond. Bonded terminal, foreign trade zone subzone 22Y. |
| TWIC | TWIC driver assigned. Local gate access arranged when needed. |
| Crossing | Detroit (Ambassador or Gordie Howe) or Port Huron to Sarnia |
| To Toronto | About 815 km |
| Storage | 247,500 sq ft indoor, 50 acres outdoor |
| Season | Seaway ships April to December |
A seasonal port
Ocean ships reach Chicago only while the St. Lawrence Seaway is open, April to December. The last ships of the fall land a lot of cargo close together. If you know a fall lot is coming, send the vessel and the piece count early and dispatch plans the trucks before the arrival notice.
In bond or in the zone
Iroquois Landing is bonded and in a foreign trade zone. Freight can be admitted to the zone on an e214, in privileged foreign status for steel and aluminum, or held in bond at the terminal. Either way it sits there without entering US commerce and leaves on a 7512 for export when your Ontario or Quebec plant is ready for it. If no entry, in bond or zone admission is on file within 15 calendar days after the cargo is landed, it goes to general order, and storage charges start after free time either way. We match the pickups to your plant schedule and the last free day.
Free time
QSL does not publish free time, and it changes by commodity and tariff. Ask the terminal or your forwarder for the last free day in writing when the arrival notice comes, and send it to dispatch with the release. We plan the trucks back from that date.
Detroit or Port Huron
Chicago loads cross at Detroit, on the Ambassador Bridge or the Gordie Howe International Bridge that opened in July 2026 and runs straight into Highway 401, or at Port Huron to Sarnia on the Blue Water Bridge. Windsor and Southwestern Ontario plants usually go through Detroit. Sarnia, London and the 402 corridor often go through Port Huron.
Trailers
Iroquois Landing lots go on 53 ft Conestogas or open flatbeds at up to 45,000 lb. Our 6 axle units run into Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, not Illinois, so Chicago lots are planned on tandems.
Customs: in bond under our own bond
Freight at Iroquois Landing is foreign cargo that has not entered the US. It moves on a T&E in bond (the 7512) under Fission's own CBP custodial bond. The port of exportation is Detroit or Port Huron, Michigan. No US duty is paid, Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs included. Your customs broker clears it into Canada at Windsor or Sarnia.
For an Iroquois Landing pickup one party files the in bond and reports both ends. Fission files in ACE under our bond. Or your customs broker files under our bond, with our SCAC, FSGQ, and our letter of authorization. Tell dispatch which when you book. Steel a US importer has already entered moves to Canada as a regular export instead. TIB exports and the full process: in bond port pickups.
TWIC drivers and gate access
Iroquois Landing is an MTSA regulated marine terminal, so unescorted access takes a TWIC card. Fission assigns TWIC drivers to US port pickups. When the truck that fits the load has a driver without one, we use local escort services, booked ahead, so the pickup still makes its appointment. See how we handle TWIC.
Getting a Chicago pickup quoted
Send the release or bill of lading number, the vessel and its discharge date, whether the cargo is in the zone. Add the piece count, weights and delivery address. Dispatch names the trailer with the price within 1 business hour, 7 am to 6 pm ET, and answers at (905) 799 7900, press 1, 24 hours. What else to send, and how tracking works, is on the port trucking page.
Questions shippers ask
Do you truck from Iroquois Landing to Canada?
Yes, to Ontario and Quebec. The freight moves in bond under our own US Customs bond to Detroit or Port Huron. Your customs broker clears it into Canada on the other side of the bridge. We do not deliver to US addresses from the port.
Is NASCO the same as Iroquois Landing?
Yes. QSL operates the Iroquois Landing terminal at 3600 East 95th Street under the name North America Stevedoring Company, NASCO.
When do ships come into Chicago?
The Seaway season runs April to December. Fall lots land close together before the season closes, so book trucks early.
Can freight wait at the terminal?
The terminal is bonded and in foreign trade zone subzone 22Y. Freight admitted to the zone or held in bond at the terminal can wait and leave on a 7512 for export when your plant needs it. Storage still applies after free time.
Which crossing do Chicago loads use?
Detroit, on the Ambassador or Gordie Howe bridge, or Port Huron to Sarnia. Dispatch picks the one closest to your plant.
Related
Rather talk it through?
Call dispatch with the load and the lane. They'll tell you which trailer it goes on, and someone picks up 24 hours a day.