Northbound Crossborder Shipping Process 
(Mexico to the U.S. & U.S. to Canada)

New Bill of Lading Process for Mexican Customers
The bill of lading is an important tool in the communication of customer shipments from the U.S. into Mexico, across KCSR/KCSM lines. To help ensure that the railway can consistently deliver the shipment to its proper destination on time, it is critical that the bill of lading is accurate, legible, complete, and that it is sent in advance of the shipment.

The information provided in the bill of lading, whether it is billed manually, or taken from the web site, is exchanged with U.S. Customs and U.S. brokers.  This exchange can help to decrease dwell time at the U.S. border, and allows customers to trace their shipments with the car's initial and number on the car location page of www.kcsouthern.com.  Additionally, shipment-handling decisions that are based on the bill of lading can be made before the railcars are released.

KCSR/KCSM Transborder Customers and Technology Working Together
KCSR/KCSM utilizes a new automated system to work with customers, brokers and Customs agents to exchange data electronically before the shipment reaches the U.S. border, reducing dwell times and expediting traffic across the border.  KCSR/KCSM receives the customer's bill of lading through a fax image processing system or through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). The fax is then routed to the appropriate person, where it is inputted within two hours. When the bill of lading is on time, accurate, legible and complete, it helps to streamline the process.  Friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives can explain what it takes to become EDI capable. KCSR/KCSM is ready to help customers improve service, answer questions, and provide solutions to your transportation needs.

Responsibilities of Customers and Brokers:

• Prepare and load the goods for shipment;
• Provide timely, accurate, legible and complete documentation to the carrier and the broker;
• Arrange Customs clearance in advance, through the Customs brokers and interface shipments destined to the U.S.; and
• Comply with special laws that may apply to goods such as food, drugs, alcoholic beverages and hazardous materials.

Responsibilities of KCSR/KCSM and other carriers involved in the shipment:

• Move the shipment from origin to destination;
• Provide information to Customs brokers and to Customs; and
• Make goods available for examination when required.

Responsibilities of Mexican Customers and Customs Brokers:

• Provide customer information to the railway for the creation of a bill of lading; and
• Provide Mexican Customs information to KCSM on the status of railcars that are ready to cross the border.

Responsibilities of Customs Agencies:

• Monitor goods for prohibited substances, and examine goods for enforcement and compliance purposes;
• Administer trade policies, and act on behalf of other government agencies for imported goods;
• Assess and collect duties and taxes;
• Make release decisions based on accurate information from the broker, customer or carrier; and
• Promote import of goods through EDI links with the transportation, Customs and brokerage communities.

Additionally, all shipments that cross the border:

• Must be cleared through destination country Customs before crossing border;
•  Will be inspected to verify shipment value and contents based on the entry information provided by the Customs broker; and
• Must have the Customs clearance information needed to speed up shipments between the U.S. and Mexico.

All Transborder Shipments:
Incomplete or illegible Customs documents can delay your shipments.  Please make sure that all information is provided to KCSR/KCSM and your broker.  Timely, accurate and detailed information includes:

• Car initial and number
• True shipper name, street address, city, state, zip code
• True consignee, street address, city, state, zip code
• U.S. broker name, street address, city, state, zip code
• Total number of pieces and unit of measure
• Total weight and unit of measure
• Complete and accurate description of goods
• Country of origin of goods
• Value and routing

For more information:
For Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) information, call KCSR/KCSM at 888-696-2382 option 1.  For information about importing goods into the U.S. call your U.S. broker.

What is the proper Bill of Lading preparation for a shipper in Mexico? To properly prepare a bill of lading for shipment out of Mexico, the following information must be provided:

1. Shipment Release Date and Time: To be completed with century mark and year, month, day, time.
2. Equipment Initial/Number: Identification number of the railcar.
3. Contract/Quote Reference Number ensures that correct charges are assessed.
4. Bill of Lading number for shipment. Can use shipper's reference number.
5. Load or Empty: designates a loaded or empty rail car.
6. True Origin in Mexico (full city spelling and state abbreviation)
7. Ultimate Destination (full city spelling and state abbreviation)
8. Routing: Full route and interchange cities (260 spellings)
9. True Shipper in Mexico: Shipper name, complete address, city, state, along with the telephone number and contact party
10. True Consignee: Consignee name, party to receive goods, complete mailing address, along with the telephone number and contact party
11. Prepaid or Collect: Specify payment method
12. Rule 11: Indicate if this is a Rule 11 shipment
13. STCC Number: Standard Transportation Commodity Code number
14. Seal Number: Number on the seal of rail car
15. Piece Count: Number of packages
16. Package Type: Description of good (e.g. pallets, cartons)
17. Commodity Description: A detailed description of the commodity.  Do not use part number or brand names.
18. Total Value and Total Net Weight: On the bill of lading
19. Special instructions (e.g. perishable)
20. Notify party and phone: Name and phone number of party to be notified upon arrival of goods at destination.

What is the proper preparation for Customs?

1. Broker Name: The name of the Customs broker filing entry on behalf of shipper
2. Broker street address, city, state, zip code
3. Country of Origin: Show the country where the goods were produced
4. Port of exit: Port of departure from Mexico
5. Value: Show the total invoice price of goods shipper
6. Destination port and country: Port and country to which goods are destined
7. Manifest from: The port where the goods begin their bonded movement
8. Manifest to: The port where the goods will end their bonded movement
9. IRS number: Tax number of the U.S. broker required by U.S. Customs
10. Customs entry type: Customs clearance process type
11. Clear at First Port of Entry
12. T&E: Transportation and Exportation. Foreign goods transiting the U.S. for export to a third country.
13. IT: Immediate Transportation. Foreign goods moving from first port entry to a point in the U.S.