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Jacksonville, Florida August 18, 2004 Notice to Customers: Shipping Instructions Transaction Requirement In order to make the exchange of information with customers more timely and accurate, CSX is implementing a requirement that shipping instructions must be submitted via preferred electronic transaction methods. Faxed shipping instructions will no longer be accepted or processed. Options for Preferred Transaction Methods Preferred transaction methods include: EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), which is the exchange of data between customer and CSX computer systems in ANSI X12 standards (404/858). Requires technical set up, which can be initiated by calling the CSX eBusiness Help Desk at 1-877-744-7279, option 2, option 1. ShipCSX Shipping Instructions, the new, easy-to-use Shipping Instructions tool on CSX's secure web site. If you already use ShipCSX for other transactions, call 1-877-744-7279, option 2, option 1, and ask for access to the Shipping Instructions tool. If you're not a registered ShipCSX user, sign up now by going to www.CSX.com and clicking on the "Sign up for eBusiness" link in the upper right corner. Steelroads, a rail industry internet site, which contains an electronic shipping instructions form. Users need to register for a Steelroads User ID and Password on that site: www.steelroads.com. VAN (Value Added Network) Conversion: a VAN converts customer text files, such as e-mail or Excel spreadsheet, into preferred electronic format and submits to CSX, at customer expense. Third-party Transmission: an independent third party converts manual customer data to electronic format and submits to CSX, at customer expense. Service providers for either VANs or third-party transmissions include companies like Transentric (1-800-877-0328), Kleinschmidt (1-847-945-1000), Intellitrans (800-546-9835). They should be contacted directly. Auto Reverse Route Program: If you ship privately owned cars, with empties returning to you, you must sign up for the Auto Reverse Route Program to have the empty cars automatically returned to you. To sign up, call 1-877-ShipCSX (1-877-744-7279), option 2, option 1. Implementation Schedule The requirement will be implemented by commodity as follows: Paper & Forest Products Phosphate & Fertilizer Metals Company Materials Effective date: October 1, 2004 Final cut-off: November 15, 2004 Minerals Waste, Waste Products Dimensional Food & Consumer Agricultural Products Chemicals Effective date: November 15, 2004 Final cut-off: December 31, 2004 Automotive Coal Government Effective date: January 1, 2005 Final cut-off: February 15, 2005 The CSX system will no longer accept or process manually submitted shipping instructions for a commodity after its final cut-off date. Any manual shipping instructions submitted after the final cut-off date will not be accepted. Remember to submit shipping instructions before CSX picks up your cars. Any car that reaches a CSX serving yard without shipping instructions will receive a "late surrender" charge. If you (or others at your location) currently submit shipping instructions manually, please take action now to ensure a smooth transition. Our eBusiness professionals will be happy to help you determine the best option for your business. For questions, call 1-877-ShipCSX (1-877-744-7279), option 2, option 1, and ask for "Shipping Instruction Electronic Transactions." For More Information Check the CSX Website: www.csx.com