Best Practices for Shipping Paper Rolls

Announcement Number: SQ2024-3
Categories: All Shipment Quality
Posted Date: July 24, 2024

To Our Customers,

Union Pacific is committed to safely delivering your product from origin to destination. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has established proper loading rules for commodities to keep shippers and railroad employees safe, along with the communities we serve. Due to several recent safety incidents regarding improper loading and blocking, UP is sending out this reference for best practices.

Please refer to the AAR Loading Rules 6.1 - Roll Paper for the current loading rules for paper rolls traveling in intermodal containers and AAR Closed Car Loading Guide – Part 2 – Best Practices For Loading Roll Paper in Railcars for paper rolls traveling in boxcars– Generally, the loading figure covers:

  • How to Equalize Load Weight for Odd and Even Roll Counts
  • Approved Methodologies for Loading
  • Approved Dunnage Products for Securing Rolls In Place

The Shipper shall be responsible for all damages caused by improper or inadequate loading and/or blocking and bracing. Shipments found in violation are subject to being reworked at the customer’s expense.

For additional information, please visit the AAR website and Union Pacific’s Intermodal Terms & Conditions.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Pacific representative.