FAQ / Transportation via CN Rail
Disclaimer:
All business transactions are based on our standard trading conditions, established by the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association. Copy available upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about our Intermodal transportation services within Canada. If you do not see your question answered please contact us at 1-800-354-9046 to find out more information on how we can help move your personal items.
Do you charge per weight when ship / move my furniture and other personal household items via rail? No we do not; we charge a flat rate per transportation of one container.
What rail carrier do you use for domestic moving of personal effects and household items within Canada? We use Canadian National Railways.
What type of the containers available for transportation? Depending on province of origin and province of destination containers are available as indicated below (Subject to change with or without notice, on a moment basis. It is strongly recommended to give us a call in order to verify the current availabilities prior making any arrangements).
- Shipping from AB: 53 - Foot container (shipping to any other province); 20 –Foot container (shipping to BC), 40 – Foot container (shipping to BC)
- Shipping from BC: 53 - Foot container (shipping to any other province)
- Shipping from MB: 53 - Foot container (shipping to any other province); 20 –Foot container (shipping to BC), 40 – Foot container (shipping to BC)
- Shipping from NB / PEI: 53 - Foot container (shipping to any other province)
- Shipping from NS: 53 - Foot container (shipping to any other province)
- Shipping fro m ON: 20 –Foot container (shipping to any other province except QC), 40 – Foot container (shipping to any other province except QC), and 53’High Cube container (shipping to any other province)
- Shipping from QC: 20 –Foot container (shipping to any other province except ON), 40 – Foot container (shipping to any other province except ON), and 53 - Foot container (shipping to any other province)
- Shipping from SK: 53 - Foot container (shipping to any other province); 20 –Foot container (shipping to BC), 40 – Foot container (shipping to BC)
Please see transportation matrix for your convenience**.
**This information is subject to change without further notice and subject to space and equipment availability. Please call us to verify details before making any arrangements based on the information provided in this chapter.
What maximum weight may be shipped in the container? We accept containers with gross cargo weight up to 40000Lbs. If the weight of your cargo exceeds 40000Lbs, please give us a call, as arrangements can be made in order to accommodate your shipment.
What are the dimensions of the containers? Please click here for this information.
Who load / unload container? Customer is responsible for proper packing, loading, blocking and bracing of cargo in the container. Customer is responsible for unloading of the container.
Does container stay on a ground? No, it does not; container comes on a trailer and stays on that trailer 4-4.5 feet above ground level all the time. Ramp is not provided.
What transit time may be expected? Please find the time chart here. It provides you with more ideas on what to expect. Chart indicates estimated transit time of transportation between rail terminals. Information is provided for general illustration purposes only. This information is subject to change without further notice and subject to space and equipment availability. Please call us to verify details before making any arrangements based on the information provided in this chapter. Please allow 3-5 days for short distance transportation and 4-8 days for long distance, however this is the best estimate based on our experience, actual time may vary.
What can be shipped? Personal effects, household goods, tools, etc.
What cannot be shipped? Dangerous goods and hazardous materials
Can I ship a propane tank for barbeque? Propane tanks are absolutely prohibited for transportation
For how long do I have a railroad container for loading? In some cities container may be left for loading for up to 48 hours or over the weekend. At all other places container is provided for live loading, truck is waiting there, 2 hours are included in price, after 2 hrs an hourly charge applies
What cities container may be left free of charge for up to 48 hours or over the weekend for loading? Nanaimo, BC, Victoria, BC, Vancouver, BC, Calgary, AB, Edmonton, AB, Saskatoon, SK, Winnipeg, MB, Toronto, ON, Montreal, QC, Moncton, NB, and Halifax, NS. If you do not see your city on this list, but need a container to be left for loading, please give us a call at 1-800-354-9046, we still can make arrangements, especially for cities within proximity to the terminals.
What cities container may be left free of charge for up to 48 hours for unloading? Nanaimo, BC, Victoria, BC, Vancouver, BC, Calgary, AB, Edmonton, AB, Saskatoon, SK, Winnipeg, MB, Toronto, ON, Montreal, QC, Moncton, NB, and Halifax, NS. If you do not see your city on this list, but need a container to be left for unloading, please give us a call at 1-800-354-9046, we still can make arrangements, especially for cities within proximity to the terminals.
Can I store my belongings in the shipping container at origin, or at destination? Use of the shipping containers for storage is not allowed.
Do I need to provide a parking permit for parking of the container? In case container will be left for loading / unloading you may be required to provide us with a copy of parking permit received by you from the city authorities. Please give us a call for more information at 1-800-354-9046.
Which days of the week container may be positioned for loading / unloading? Container may be positioned Monday to Friday, except statutory holidays, at normal working hours.
Can I go to rail yard to load/unload a container? It is not allowed. Container has to be delivered to your residential address or storage facility, etc. for loading/unloading.
Can I go to the rail station to load my boxes, luggage, or furniture directly to the train? The shipping of loose pieces loaded directly to the train is not accepted.
Is cost of insurance included in cost of transportation? Insurance is always excluded, but available for extra cost.
Can I purchase the insurance? Yes you can, we offer the insurance coverage for your goods while in transit. Owner packed goods are subject to the Institute Clauses (C). Professionally packed goods are subject to the Institute Causes (A). Subject to deductibles as per schedule. There are certain limitations and exclusions. Valued inventory may be needed. Please call us for more details.
Do I have to purchase the insurance offered by your company? You do not have to purchase insurance offered by your company, however we will ask you to sign a waiver if insurance offered by us would be declined.
Can I ship my own container with personal effects via the rail? Yes, you can ship your own ISO standard shipping container, please click here for more details.
Can I ship the recreational trailer? We do not accept recreational trailers for transportation.
Can I ship a standard 48’/53’ cargo semi-trailer? We do not offer trailer services.
What information will be required in order to arrange transportation?
Date and time you would like the container to be positioned for loading at origin;
Full name and address of payer of freight for billing purposes;
Full address of positioning of the container at origin, contact person, phone number;
Full address of the delivery at destination, contact person, phone number
Permanent Email address and Cell phone may be very helpful.
How and when I can pay? We accept direct deposit, wire transfer, certified cheque, and money order. Credit Card payment form will have to be filled out and faxed back to us at least five business days prior positioning of the container. Deposit of $1000.00CDN + tax will be charged to the credit card two business days prior positioning of the container at origin, some exceptions for remote locations may apply, please call us for more information.
The whole amount may be paid by Visa and Maser Card as well, 3.3% convenience fee will apply. 100% payment is required prior final delivery at destination. If paid by certified cheque or money order, please allow 3 business days for payment processing.
What terminals are you allowed to interchange with? The CN Intermodal terminals we are allowed interchanging at is here
