In simple terms, a manifest (bond), by law, is the control of goods that are being transported or stored while under the responsibility of bonded entities such as CN, other carriers or bonded facilities until Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) authorizes delivery or further movement.

CN manifests in Canada are managed electronically through our link with CBSA's cargo system, Accelerated Commercial Release Operations Support System (ACROSS) and their Release Notification System (RNS). An electronic release notification from CBSA to CN is required to legally constitute the release of CN liability.

Please consult your CN transborder group or account manager in these instances:

• For specific instructions and coordination prior to any action being initiated in an emergency transshipment process
• Prior to initiating transportation, for exceptions to a simple release by CBP of CN-bonded shipments
• In the event of an exception to the normal U.S. in-transit process (such as a process or plan being initiated) that requires the special management of CN's bond

Find out more on:

• Intermodal shipments from the U.S. or Mexico to Canada
• Carload shipments from the U.S. or Mexico to Canada
• Carload shipments from Canada to the U.S.
• Carload shipments from Canada in-transit through U.S. to Mexico

Intermodal shipments from the U.S. or Mexico to Canada

Most shipments are customs cleared by your customs broker at the time of entry into Canada with the Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) provided by the CBSA.

• If required, CN will extend our manifest privilege while the shipment is on the CN network.
• A manifest is deemed closed by CBSA and the shipment available for delivery after the electronic release notification is provided by CBSA to CN.
• Shipments requiring further manifested movement from a CN terminal via highway must be protected by a highway carrier's A8 manifest. CN's terminal staff or CN's Transborder Group can assist to ensure compliance.

Intermodal shipments from Mexico in-transit through the U.S. to Canada are typically controlled in the U.S. by the originating carrier's Transportation and Exportation (T&E) bond.

• CN coordinates with the U.S. origin carrier, as well as with CBP at CN's rail port of exit from the U.S., to close the T&E bond at the time the conveyance is physically exported from the U.S. into Canada.

Carload shipments from the U.S. or Mexico to Canada

Most shipments are customs cleared by your customs broker at the time of entry into Canada with the Pre-Arrival Review System (PARS) provided by the CBSA.

• If required, CN will extend our manifest privilege while the shipment is on the CN network.
• A manifest is deemed closed by CBSA and the shipment available for delivery after the electronic release notification is provided by CBSA to CN.
• Whenever a carload shipment that is manifested to a CN facility is required to continue in-bond on another rail carrier in Canada, the shipment must be customs cleared prior to interchange to the other railroad or re-manifested to the other rail carrier's bond. The re-manifest process can be coordinated through CN's Transborder Group.

Carload shipments from Mexico in-transit through the U.S. to Canada are typically controlled in the U.S. by the originating carrier's Transportation and Exportation (T&E) bond.

• CN coordinates with the U.S. origin carrier, as well as with CBP at CN's rail port of exit from the U.S., to close the T&E bond at the time the conveyance is physically exported from the U.S. into Canada.
• In the event that an emergency transshipment is required, e.g., due to a damaged rail car, and a bonded warehouse is not available, the transshipment may take place under the supervision of a CBP inspector.

Carload shipments from Canada to the U.S.

Carload shipments to the U.S. are customs cleared by your customs broker at the port of entry into the U.S..

• The CN bond may not be used for carload shipments into the U.S..
• Whenever there is a requirement to bond a carload shipment into the U.S., CN may electronically invoke the shipper's bond.
• CN can also coordinate and electronically invoke a service provider's bond, such as a customs broker's bond, to facilitate a bonded carload movement into the U.S..

Please discuss the processes with your CN account manager or CN's transborder group prior to initiating transportation.

Carload shipments from Canada in-transit through U.S. to Mexico

CN may issue an electronic Transportation and Exportation (T&E) bond to protect the movement of carload shipments in-transit through the U.S. for furtherance to Mexico.

• CN, in collaboration with U.S. partner railroads that cross the U.S./Mexico border, ensures that the T&E bond is acquitted with CBP at the time the conveyance is physically exported from the U.S. into Mexico.

Your customs broker ensures that Mexico import processes are completed and that applicable duties and taxes are paid.