Although BNSF only operates in North America, we do partner with ocean carriers to move goods to and from the United States. With our capability to receive and deliver finished goods, commodities and raw materials at multiple West Coast ports, BNSF can help with your overseas shipping needs.
Overseas
Services
When it comes to realizing MORE supply chain benefits for your shipping, BNSF's overseas intermodal service give you:
- MORE Speed: reaching markets up to 7 days faster than all-water options
- MORE Service: fastest intermodal service for all your door-to-door shipping needs
- MORE Reach: 100% U.S. market coverage with direct or connecting services
- MORE Connections: on-dock and near-dock service for all your Pacific and Gulf import/export needs
Standard Service**
- Container only service
Review BNSF's Interactive Service Schedules.
Prices
Pricing Contacts
BNSF intermodal prices are issued on a contract basis. To obtain a rate for shipping ocean containers (intermodal), please contact Intermodal@bnsf.com.
Pricing Tools and Resources
Percent of Revenue Fuel Surcharge
Applies to all BNSF ocean container (intermodal) shipments.
Customs Fees
Surcharges for APHIS and COBRA inspects.
Port Fees
The following surcharges are applied on intermodal shipments traversing the Alameda Corridor or originating or terminating at the Port of Portland and Port of Tacoma.
BNSF may impose surcharges as stated in the BNSF Intermodal Rules and Policies Guide. All applicable intermodal shipments are subject to these charges, regardless of price authority (including contracts and agreements). Surcharges are applied to the freight bill based on the BNSF shipping instructions (waybill) date.
ACTA (Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority)
Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority Current Use Fees and Container Charges are applicable for shipments traversing the Alameda Corridor.
Port of Portland
Port of Portland Rail Carrier Intermodal Yard Facility Fee is stated in the Port of Portland Marine Terminal Item 8.
Port of Tacoma
Port of Tacoma Intermodal Facility Charges is stated in the Containers Section of the Port of Tacoma Tariff 300, Section 6.
**Formerly known as Premium Service.
BNSF's intermodal network is made up of some of the largest and most modern intermodal hub facilities in the industry — facilities that are designed to move your shipments across the BNSF system faster than ever before.
Facilities Details
Intermodal Facilities Listings
Facility Resources
Regions Domestic and International
Represents BNSF intermodal hubs and groupings in contractual agreements.
Facilities Information and Resource Management (FIRM) codes
| BNSF intermodal facilities | FIRM codes |
|---|---|
| Alliance, TX - 1111 Intermodal Pkwy | T926 |
| Atlanta (Fairburn), GA - 6700 McLarin Rd. | O083 |
| Barstow, CA - 2825 W. Main St. | |
| Cicero, IL - 26th St. | J791 |
| Corwith, IL - 3526 W. 43rd St. | I145 |
| Denver, CO - 585 W. 53rd Place | H096 |
| El Paso, TX - 805 S. Santa Fe St. | S390 |
| Houston, TX - 214 Brisbane Rd. | S639 |
| Logistics Park Kansas City, KS - 32880 W. 191 St. | J177 |
| Los Angeles, CA - 4000 E. Sheila St., Bldg 39 | Y386 |
| Logistics Park Chicago, IL - 26664 S. Baseline Rd. | H572 |
| Memphis, TN - 4814 Lamar Ave. | P486 |
| Omaha, NE - 4370 Gibson Rd. | H397 |
| Oakland International Gateway, CA - 333 Maritime St. | Z944 |
| Phoenix, AZ - 5281 Tom Murray Rd. | Y386 |
| Portland, OR - 3930 NW Yeon | X086 |
| Seattle (International Gateway - SIG), WA - 44 S. Hanford | Y498 |
| S. Seattle, WA - 12400 51st Pl. S. | Y371 |
| Spokane, WA - 1800 N. Dickey | Y799 |
| St. Louis, MO - 3500 Wellington Ave. | J300 |
| St. Paul, MN - 1701 Pierce Butler Rt. | J828 |
| Stockton, CA - 6540 Austin Rd. | W675 |
Containers
A container is a weatherproof box designed for bulk shipment of freight. Domestic containers come in 45 feet, 48 feet and 53 feet in length. Ocean containers come in 20 feet and 40 feet in length. They are designed for all modes of intermodal transport.
Trailers
A trailer is a weatherproof box with permanent wheels designed for bulk shipment of freight on rail, highway or combination of both. Trailers come in 45 feet, 48 feet and 53 feet in length.
Temperature-Controlled Trailers |
Contact BNSF at 817-867-6117Temperature-Controlled |
|
|
| A temperature-controlled trailer is a weatherproof box with permanent wheels designed for perishable shipment of freight on rail, highway or combination of both. Trailers come in 45 feet, 48 feet and 53 feet in length. | |
| Specifications Table | Diagram |
|---|---|
| Inside Length | 72ft 2in |
| Inside Height | 11ft 11in |
| Inside Width | 9ft 2in |
| Door Type | Plug |
| Door Width | 12ft |
| Lading Capacity | 180,000lbs |
| Cubic Foot Capacity | 7,883 |
| Plate | F |
| Fleet Size | 994 |
| Take an innovative approach to your food transportation and add BNSF temperature-controlled shipping to the mix. |  |
 Temperature-Controlled |
Intermodal Railcar
The most common intermodal container railcars that BNSF uses in intermodal transportation are shown below.
3 Well Double-Stack Car (There are also one and five well railcars)
Conventional Intermodal Car
Oversize and Non-Standard Intermodal Equipment
An Intermodal shipment greater than 8’6 wide and 13’6 high is considered Dimensional or Non-Standard Equipment. In general, with proper information and approvals (defined below), BNSF Intermodal can handle shipments up to 11’ wide and 15’ high.
Any shipment greater than 11’ wide and 15’ high (17’ above top of rail) must follow the Carload Dimensional Process and move in manifest service (not to/from an Intermodal Hub).
Shipment Information
Complete the form on your Dimensional or Non-Standard Equipment shipment.
Obtain Special Price Authority
Once approvals are received, your Marketing Representative will provide an Intermodal Special Price Authority.
Shipping Instructions
When submitting the Shipping Instructions, state the shipment is Dimensional or Non-Standard Equipment, special price authority, actual commodity description (along with all the required elements as stated in the BNSF Intermodal Rules and Policies Guide, Item 7: Shipping Instructions).
Tendering Shipment
When tendering an Oversized shipment, it will be placed on Hold (LSHold) for Mechanical and Clearance Inspections. Inspections may take up to 2-3 business days.
Contacts
| Area | Name | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical - Tie Down | Scott VanGosen | Tel: 913-551-4614 |
| Intermodal Hubs Ops | Barry Russell | Tel: 817-867-6388 |
| Load and Ride Solutions (LARS) | LARS Contacts Intermodal Loading Guide |
|
| AAR Publications | AAR Open Top Rules Other AAR Updates |
Tel: 877-999-8824 |
| Carload High/Wide Clearance | Carload High Wide Contacts |
Don't own your own equipment?
BNSF has partners with intermodal carriers to provide containers or trailers if you do not own your own equipment. In addition to providing equipment, these partners (or carriers) can assist with moving individual or multiple shipments, including interline traffic and complete door-to-door movement by arranging equipment, waybilling (shipping instructions), draying, tracing, etc. For more information, contact a BNSF sales representative.
If you do own your own equipment, please review the information below:
Loading and Shipment Safety
Loading assistance and information.
Intermodal Loading Guide
Guidelines to properly load contents into equipment for intermodal transportation.
Demurrage and Storage
Intermodal storage.
Prohibited Hazardous Commodities
Prohibited commodities in some equipment.
Neutral Chassis Pools
At various Intermodal facilities, Neutral Chassis Pools are available for your use. See the table below for BNSF locations and pool operator contact information. To utilize Neutral Pool Chassis, a Chassis Use Agreement with the pool operator is required. Equipment rental charges are the responsibility of the user. Twenty (20'), forty (40'), and forty-five (45') foot chassis are available.
| BNSF Intermodal Facility | Pool | Vendor Leasing Co | Equipment Initials | Pick up and return chassis to the same facility unless noted | Vendor Name | Vendor Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance, TX | GCCP | CCM | Monty Falls | Tel: 713-675-0600 | ||
| Birmingham, AL | SACP | CCM | Ken Tock | Tel: 813-746-5337 | ||
| Chicago, IL | COCP | CCM | Chris Davis | Tel: 847-346-0975 | ||
| Cicero, IL | COCP | CCM | Chris Davis | Tel: 847-346-0975 | ||
| Denver, CO | DCCP | CCM | Allen Youngs | Tel: 303-293-0103 | ||
| El Paso, TX | GCCP | CCM | Monty Falls | Tel: 713-675-0600 | ||
| Houston, TX | GCCP | CCM | Monty Falls | Tel: 713-675-0600 | ||
| Logistics Park Kansas City | MWCP | CCM | Robert Kline | Tel: 816-472-2264 | ||
| Logistics Park, IL | COCP | CCM | Chris Davis | Tel: 847-346-0975 | ||
| Los Angeles, CA | Neutral | Flexi-van | FWAZ | BNSF | Christine Korsak | Tel: 908-276-8000 |
| New Orleans, LA* | GCCP | CCM | Monty Falls | Tel: 713-675-0600 | ||
| Oakland, CA | Neutral | Flexi-van | FORZ | BNSF | Christine Korsak | Tel: 908-276-8000 |
| Omaha, NE | MWCP | CCM | Robert Kline | Tel: 816-472-2264 | ||
| Portland, CA | Neutral | TRAC | TSSZ | BNSF (South Seattle) | Pam Di Meglio | Tel: 609-986-0268 |
| S Seattle, WA | Neutral | TRAC | TSSZ | BNSF (Portland) | Pam Di Meglio | Tel: 609-986-0268 |
| St. Louis, MO* | MWCP | CCM | Robert Kline | Tel: 816-472-2264 | ||
| St. Paul, MN | Neutral | TRAC | TSPZ | BNSF | Pam DiMeglio | Tel: 609-986-0268 |
At some locations, the chassis may be returned to another city or to another railroad's intermodal facility within the same city.
* Private chassis may not be staged at these locations.
Advanced Lift and Ride Technology
BNSF has invested in the latest technology to minimize equipment damage. This advanced lift technology features:
- Wider and longer shoes
- Ultra sensors to detect roof damage
The benefits of this technology include:
- Virtually eliminated roof damage
- Faster lift on/lift off with error free lifting
BNSF uses a manufacturer-approved, patented wedge device that prevents the airbag from stretching during lift operations. The incident-free air-ride handling BNSF provides has created a new market for air-ride equipment.
BNSF's Intermodal Rules and Policies Guide defines the policies and procedures for all intermodal transportation.
General Information
Intermodal Customer Reference Guide
Describes how to ship an intermodal shipment.
Drayage
Companies offering drayage services.
Commodity Information
Prohibited Hazardous Commodities
Prohibited commodities in some equipment.
Bulk Agricultural Products
Procedures to ship bulk products via intermodal.
Coiled Metal Shipment Policies and Procedures
Procedures to ship coiled metal via intermodal.
BNSF customers can stay up-to-date on the latest news covering BNSF services, tools, prices and facilities by subscribing to BNSF Customer Notifications.
- Network Update: Network Update notifications inform BNSF customers on a biweekly basis of the overall state of our network.
- Service Advisories: Service Advisory notifications inform BNSF customers of temporary changes or interruptions to transportation service.
- Marketing News: Marketing News notifications inform BNSF customers of new service or product offerings, or of permanent changes to existing service.
- Pricing Updates : Pricing Update notifications inform BNSF customers of changes to existing rates or price structures.
- Facility Updates: Facility Update notifications inform BNSF customers of changes related to specific facilities.
- BNSF.com Updates: bnsf.com Update notifications inform BNSF customers of new Web tools at www.bnsf.com, or changes to existing tools.
- Customer Letters: Customer Letters inform BNSF customers on a variety of marketing and service-related topics.
Ocean Containers
| Area | Contact | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Current customers, shipment questions | Customer Support | Tel: 888-428-2673 |
| BNSF China Representative | Michelle Liu | |
| Joyce Jiang | Tel: 86-21-61415388 Fax: 86-21-61415389 BNSF Railway International Services Inc. Room 2903, Shanghai Times Square No. 93, Middle Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200021 |
Domestic Containers and Trailers
| Area | Contact | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Containers and Trailers | Intermodal Solutions | Regional Sales Mgr on BNSF's Intermodal Solutions Team (map below) |
| Motor Carriers (truckload) | Terry Dupuy | |
| Intermodal marketing companies | Caleb Maki | |
| Current customers, shipment questions | Customer Support | Tel: 888-428-2673 |
Temperature Controlled Trailers
| Area | Contact | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature-controlled trailers/containers | Mel Heard Lisa Cassidy |
|
| Current customers, shipment questions | Customer Support | Tel: 888-428-2673 |
Beneficial Cargo Owner Contacts
Territories are based on customer headquarters location, please contact the corresponding industry expert in the contact list below the map:
| Region | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest | Alissa Murray | |
| Northwest | Jace Thompson | |
| South Central | Tiffany Pierce | |
| North Central | Carrie Finson | |
| Central | Jacob Males | |
| Ohio Valley | Trent Rogers | |
| Mid-Atlantic | Bobby Strong | |
| Northeast | Jeremy Young | |
| Southeast | Christian Myslicki | |
| Central Mexico | Elisa Angles | |
| Mexico City and South | Laura Hernandez | |
| North Mexico | Victor Dominguez |
This is who we are.
Safety & Security
BNSF strives to maintain strong relationships with the communities where our employees live.
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Environment
BNSF believes it is good business and good citizenship to minimize our impact on the planet.
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History
BNSF is the result of more than 390 railroad lines that merged or were acquired during our 170-year history.
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Our consistent and cost-effective service takes products of any size to customers when and where they need them.
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