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(Brampton, February 28, 2006)…Effective March 1st 2006, CN Rail – Brampton Intermodal Terminal will reduce the current free-time period from two (2) days to one (1) day on loaded or empty standard containers and containers requiring protective service.  This one day of free time will include Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, when CN Brampton is open, commencing at 04:00 am after the day of placement for pickup.  After free time has expired, a charge of $200 per 24-hour period or portion thereof, up to and including the day of departure or removal from storage, will be assessed.

CN has initiated a number of system and procedural changes which will enable the verification of arrival and container availability status prior to the actual arrival of containers at Brampton.  As a result, pickup appointments can be arranged prior to the actual grounding day.

For containers arriving without a pick-up appointment arranged in advance (excluding containers containing dangerous goods, running reefer containers and containers that have not cleared customs), the containers will be routed to the Mississauga Intermodal Service Center (MISC) to await final pickup instructions.  Containers transported to MISC will be assessed a flat fee of $125 that provides for two (2) days of storage (calculated from time of placement at Brampton).  After two days of storage at MISC, the storage rate reduces to $75 for each subsequent day.

If you are concerned about container storage at CN and the potential cost increases, it pays to subscribe to Universal's Ocean Freight Handling Service, created to ensure containers are expedited and you are not paying more than you should for storage.

Companies that subscribe to our Ocean Freight Handling Service will receive the following services:

• Track and Trace import containers upon receipt of importer's and/or supplier's documentation.
   
• Contact steamship lines to obtain vessel arrival information.
   
• Contact freight forwarders/steamship lines to obtain necessary Arrival Notices to effect customs clearance.
   
• Submit customs clearance request prior to arrival of containers at CN Brampton.
   
• Pre-arrange delivery appointment (where applicable).

Along with having the option of buying this service separately when we are your customs broker, you can get it automatically as part of the package of services we provide to companies that book their ocean freight directly with Universal Logistics.

For more information or to subscribe to Universal's Ocean Freight Handling Service, contact Brian Rowe, General Manager – Customs Consulting Services (905-882-4880). To obtain a competitive ocean freight quotation, contact David Lychek, Manager – Ocean Services (905-882-4880).