How to Determine Shipping Costs Between 2 Cities

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I am looking to ship a 20 foot container from Vancouver, BC to Winnipeg. I am wondering how I would go about calculating the shipping cost? It will weigh approx. 5000lbs and is consumer goods. The container is included, and it will be coming off a ship from China. Once it arrives in Winnipeg I will need to have it moved to a warehouse.

So, just to reiterate.

  1. 20’ Container arrives from China to Vancouver seaport

  2. Container loaded onto train

  3. Train arrives in Winnipeg

  4. Container moved to warehouse in Winnipeg

If anyone could point me in the right direction, especially in regards to getting the container from Vancouver to Winnipeg, that would help me immensely. Really can’t find anything other than ton miles, but I don’t think ton miles cover the cost of loading the container onto the train.

2

CN’s way of moving a container into Winnipeg from the west coast isn’t really that efficient. The only train setting off Winnipeg containers originates in Calgary. You won’t be able to have a direct Vancouver to Winnipeg route without doing a sidetrip.

As much as I would hate to give business away, CP may be able to be a faster option for getting container traffic into Winnipeg.

Also, instead of asking on here, call CN, CP or trucking companies and ask them their rates. You’re not going to get answers here.

3

Why does CN route Saskatoon and Winnipeg traffic like that anyway? Was it a make-work project for Q114 and the Calgary Logistics Park?

4

Have you found any answers?