CN, LIVINGSTON DEVELOP ELECTRONIC CUSTOMS CLEARANCE LINK

CN, LIVINGSTON DEVELOP ELECTRONIC CUSTOMS CLEARANCE LINK    The Canadian National Railway Co. and Livingston International, a customs brokerage company, said Tuesday they have jointly developed a new electronic link to increase the speed and accuracy of customs clearance procedures for Canadian importers.
   CN now sends manifest information to Livingston electronically instead of by fax, eliminating the need for Livingston to key in previously faxed data into its computers.
   Information such as an importer’s name automatically triggers the transmission of the manifest from CN to Livingston. After further processing, completed data is sent electronically to officials at the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency for clearance.
   “We’d like to develop similar electronic links with other major surface carriers,” said Tom Ruth, Livingston’s senior vice president for Canadian and U.S. brokerage.