Bulk Agricultural Intermodal Shipments

Policies and Procedures

BNSF policies and procedures to handle Bulk Agricultural products for intermodal transportation.

1. All shippers must sign the Bulk Agricultural Letter of Agreement and have it on file with BNSF prior to tendering a Bulk Agricultural shipment for transportation on BNSF.
2. Bulk Agricultural products can only be tendered in international containers.
3. Bulk Agricultural shipments must be identified on the shipping instructions with the commodity description "Bulk Agriculture" and the actual STCC must be used.
4. The only valid price authorities for these shipments are QTBulkAg and QTBulkAgW. The applicable STCCs and commodities are stated on the price authorities.
5. The maximum gross weight that BNSF can accept for Bulk Agriculture is 52,900 pounds in a 20' container without a chassis, 67,200 pounds in a 40'/45' container without a chassis, and 65,000 pounds for container on a chassis. In addition, a certified scale ticket may be required at in-gate to verify the lading weight.
6. The BNSF standard fuel surcharge will apply to shipments using QTBulkAg or QTBulkAgW price authorities.
7. All requirements stated in the Intermodal Bulk Agriculture web pages, the BNSF Intermodal Rules and Policies Guide and the Bulk Agricultural Letter of Agreement will be enforced. In addition, a BNSF Intermodal Transportation Contract must be signed and on file with BNSF prior to tendering a Bulk Agricultural shipment (see the New Customer Process).
8. All Bulk Agriculture products must be properly blocked and braced with correct weight distribution according to BNSF Loading and Ride Solutions standards and guidelines. See sample loading diagrams below:

• 40' Container Loading Diagram with Steel Restraints
• 20' Container Loading Diagram with Steel Restraints
• 40' Container Loading Diagram with Wood Restraints
• 20' Container Loading Diagram with Wood Restraints

For additional information, contact your International Intermodal Marketing Representative at 1-888-428-2673 option 3, 5 or send questions or comments to International@bnsf.com.