Customs

Simplified customs clearances:

At CN we're actively involved on an ongoing basis with other rail carriers, as well as with ocean and highway carriers, in addressing any and all issues relating to the safe, secure and efficient transborder movement of goods. We routinely take the coordinating role between customs agencies and other carriers to address transborder issues – all to ensure that we continue to offer you virtually seamless transborder shipping.

Reliable, consistent performance:

CN has the most consistent record of customs clearances in the industry and the most consistent on-time performance record too. Our customs clearances process is part of our Service Reliability Strategy (SRS) system. SRS provides us with links to government agencies and is the platform used to monitor your transborder shipments. We are the industry leader when it comes to electronically expediting transborder shipments – from pick-up, through customs clearances, to delivery.

Accelerated customs clearances

Your shipments clear customs in seconds. When you provide us with shipping instructions electronically, we're able to expedite the entire process for you. We provide data to all the parties involved: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ocean carriers, other rail carriers, customs brokers and any other partners in the service delivery chain – with electronic shipment status notifications. You can trace your shipment online across the entire CN network and connecting railroads. With corridor specific pre-processing windows and our electronic data pipeline, we can have entire trains clear customs within 60 minutes of arrival at the border. On average, clearance of individual shipments can be measured in seconds.

Automated, electronic processes

U.S. border:

CN electronically reports all cargo destined to, from and through the U.S. The CBP's Automated Manifest System (AMS) can clear your transborder shipment in seconds. Through the AMS Secondary Notify Process (SNP), CBP can return customs shipment statuses directly to the rail shipper or their agent as well as to CN.

Canada border:

In Canada, electronic links update CBSA's Accelerated Commercial Release Operations Support System (ACROSS) with your shipment manifest details. Our processes allow for reporting movements relating to rail land border crossings as well as ocean to rail.

Mexico border:

Through its partnership with the Association of American Railroads, CN is up-to-date with any and all changes to Mexican Customs automated processes. Our connections with southern border authorities and transportation agents facilitate the efficient movement of your shipment to and from Mexico.