Plastics
BNSF provides top-notch service with rates that ensure plastics will remain a viable commodity now and in the future. From dry resin to liquid plastic, BNSF has the processes in place for smooth transit all across North America, including service from the Texas Gulf shipping points at competitive prices.
When it comes to your product, you need someone with experience on which you can rely. Each year, BNSF handles more than 125,000 loads of plastics, including significant shipments by the top resin/plastic producers in North America.
Browse the tabs below for more details on shipping plastics with BNSF.
Because of our public pricing our business provides a level of transparency not available with other modes of transportation. By creating a level laying field in the marketplace, we offer a price that is commensurate with the value we provide and is often a better value proposition than alternative modes and providers of transportation.
Use our Carload Shipping Advisor tool to obtain a price for shipping plastics.
Pricing Tools and Resources
- Plastics are moved under BNSF 90066 price authorities.
- A Mileage-Based Fuel Surcharge is applicable on all BNSF plastics shipments.
- Prices for plastics are renewed yearly in May.
- BNSF requires a completed and approved credit application prior to a shipment order.
Key STCCs (Standard Transportation Commodity Codes)
Key STCCs for plastics (but not limited to):
| STCC | Description | STCC | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2821139 | Polypropylene, other than liquid | 2821140 | Polystyrene, other than liquid |
| 2821141 | Polyvinyl chloride, other than liquid | 2821142 | Polyethylene, other than liquid |
| 2821143 | Plastics, resins or gums, nec, liquid | 2821144 | Plastics, resins or gums, nec, other than liquid |
| 2821156 | Polyethylene terephtha (PET) |
BNSF provides superior customer service and support through our dedicated team of shipping experts and our well-maintained fleet that meets the weight and size needs of the industry. With access to most major plastics production and consumption areas in the Western United States and joint-line access to Eastern Markets, we have the flexibility to get your goods where they need to go.
- Review transit times for plastics shipped using our single car services.
- BNSF provides service for plastics only on designated routes. Find out where BNSF ships.
- Check to see if BNSF serves your destination using our switching guides.
- Special exceptions exist for freight moving interline. Use our routing guides for moving freight to the CSX, Canadian Pacific, and Canadian National railroads.
Not Rail Served?
- If you are not directly served by a railroad and need delivery by truck, consider using one of our premier transloaders or BNSF Logistics.
- You can also work with our Economic Development team to establish or expand your next site. Talk to us today!
Please note that plastics only move in private equipment
Please select equipment from the drop down.
Covered Hoppers
| Specifications Table | Diagram (Jumbo) | Diagram (Large) | Diagram (Small) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic Capacity | 5161 to 5188 | 4427 to 4750 | 2700 to 3426 |
| GWR | 286,000 lbs | 263,000 lbs | 263,000 to 286,000 lbs |
| Hatch Type | Trough, Combination | Trough, Circular | Trough, Circular |
| Outlet Gates | Gravity, Pneumatic | Gravity, Pneumatic | Gravity |
| Commodities | Grain, Sugar, Malt | Grain, Sugar, Malt, Fertilizers, Potash, Sand, Clay, Alumina, Coke, Lime | Sand, Perlite, Roofing Granules |
| Fleet Size | 15,500 | 16,600 | 2,100 |
Private Equipment Policy
If you own your own equipment and plan to ship it on BNSF Railway, your equipment must be registered via the OT5 process that is administered by Railinc. To register, you will need your CIF number, proper UMLER information and the car numbers to be registered. For more information, please contact BNSF Private Equipment Management Team.
Helpful Links
Loading Origin Guarantees
Shippers have the ability to guarantee equipment supply through BNSF's Loading Origins Guarantee (LOGs) program. See more information on the LOGs program.
- Carload Reference Guide
- Carload At A Glance Guide
- Standard Carload Policies are under BNSF 6100-A
- Loading & Shipment Safety
- Extended Equipment Use and Services
- Weight Restriction Maps
- Oversized Shipments Reference Guide
- Oversized FAQs
- Approved Interchange Points for positive handoff of TIH/PIH commodities
- Hazardous Waste Manifest
Sign up for BNSF Customer Updates to receive information regarding:
- Service advisories: Temporary changes to service, including derailments, weather and holiday interruptions.
- Network overviews: Information on the overall BNSF network and regional maintenance of way projects.
- Facility updates: Information related to specific facilities.
- Marketing news: New service or product offerings or permanent changes to existing service.
- Web updates: Information about new or changes to existing Web-enabled tools at bnsf.com.
- Pricing updates: Changes to existing private or public price authorities for both intermodal and carload traffic.
- Customer letters: Customer letters are sent via U.S. Mail from various Marketing groups on a variety of marketing and service-related topics.
Become a New BNSF Customer
|
Begin shipping with BNSF quickly and easily. We will need the following information to get you started with BNSF:
|
817-867-6223 or customer.development@bnsf.com |
Pricing/Rates
| Get a rate quickly with our easy online price lookup tool | Price Lookup tool | |
| If no rate available via Price Lookup tool, contact a BNSF representative via phone or email | Garry Bender | Tel: 817-867-6487 |
Shipping Questions
| Our Customer Support team will answer questions about your shipment, including billing, service, etc - specify what kind of questions go to Customer Support |
Customer Support 888-428-2673, option 4, 3 |
| Our Equipment team will help answer your questions regarding equipment-maybe also specify some of the commonly asked questions | 888-428-2673, option 4, 4 |
Helpful Links
| Quickly find out who is served by BNSF | Switching Information |
| Easily locate a transloader on BNSF network | Premier Transloader Directory |
| Locate your new site near BNSF or have your existing site served by BNSF | Economic Development |
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