Class I briefs: BNSF, CN | So Good News

CN has committed to the UN’s Global Compact initiative, which it describes as a “voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices.” (Photo courtesy of CN, via Twitter)

BNSF updates customers on compliance with Carta Porte regulations for shipments in Mexico. CN also joins the UN’s Global Compact initiative.

The Mexican Tax Authority (SAT) will begin enforcing the new Carta Porte rules on Dec. 31, 2022, BNSF reported in a Nov. 7 customer alert. “As previously communicated, the Carta Porte requirements issued last year by the SAT mandate require additional waybill information on shipments moving to Mexico,” according to Class I, which noted that specific requirements could be found in the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Carta Porte Supplement ( scroll down to download).

BNSF said it will implement the requirements beginning Dec. 15 to “allow for adequate testing and ensure a smooth transition to the new process,” and will continue to work with customers to “test systems and help them prepare. “

“As part of the new SAT rules, EDI 404/BNSF Origin shipments and EDI 417/traffic received in exchange will require complete Carta Porte data,” BNSF explained. “BNSF may hold shipments that do not comply with Carta Porte requirements at origin and/or reject shipments at exchange. In addition, non-compliant shipments may be subject to additional fees and charges.

“BNSF systems have been enabled to accept the additional information from Carta Porte via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) as well as in our Shipping Instructions application. In shipping instructions, for multiple Mexico-bound units, Carta Porte information can be copied from the master unit to each follower unit . The Shipping Instructions application is available through the BNSF Customer Portal (login/password required).”

In a related development, in October Union Pacific updated customers on the Carta Porte requirements.

CN reported on November 8 that it committed to the United Nations Global Compact initiative.

CN said it has joined the “Voluntary Leadership Platform for the Development, Implementation and Disclosure of Responsible Business Practices.” More than 15,000 companies and 3,800 non-business signatories, based in over 160 countries, participate.

“The UN Global Compact encourages companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with universally accepted principles in human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption, and to take action to support the UN’s goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals,” according to Class I – the railway.

“We are proud to join companies around the world that are demonstrating leadership by implementing responsible business practices,” said CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson. “Sustainability is central to CN’s goal to be the safest and most carbon-efficient, operationally efficient and customer-centric railroad in North America.”

On September 14, CN released a data supplement for the 2021 Sustainability Report outlining key results in the areas of environment, safety, people, society and economy.

In a related development, Canadian Pacific (CP) reported on July 7 that it joined the United Nations Global Compact.