A bonded truck carrying essential supplies and mail to Campobello Island is currently stuck at the Canada and United States border. The delay at the St. Stephen and Calais crossing disrupts a vital daily service for the remote New Brunswick community.

Source: Avery MacRae / CTV News Atlantic

Daily Deliveries Halted

Campobello Island sits off the coast of Maine. You can reach the island seasonally by ferry. Year round access requires driving over a bridge from Lubec, Maine. This route is about 80 kilometres from the St. Stephen and Calais border crossing.

Because of this geography, Canadian supply trucks must drive through the United States to reach the island. The detained truck runs every weekday to deliver Canada Post mail and groceries. Some of these groceries include items on the United States government banned import list, such as milk.

To get around import rules, the truck operates as a bonded carrier. Officials seal the doors with a customs tag to ensure the contents remain untouched while driving through Maine.

Government Officials Step In

New Brunswick Southwest Member of Parliament John Williamson is actively addressing the situation.

“The bonded truck runs daily weekdays to service Campobello’s remote island community. All the truck’s contents are destined to Campobello and the doors sealed with a customs tag,” Williamson stated on social media.

He also noted his team is taking direct action.

“My office and I are working with the Canadian government and United States Embassy to resolve this impasse,” Williamson said.

According to CTV News Atlantic, the United States Department of Homeland Security has not yet commented on the delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a Canadian truck need to enter the United States?

Year round access to Campobello Island requires driving through Maine. The seasonal ferry does not operate in the winter.

What is inside the detained truck?

The truck carries Canada Post mail and daily community supplies. This includes groceries like milk that are normally banned from entering the United States.

What makes a truck bonded?

A bonded truck has its doors sealed with a customs tag. This guarantees the driver will not unload any goods while transiting through a foreign country.