Canadian National Railway Co. has launched a new customs clearance service for shipments into Canada from the United States and overseas.

CN said Tuesday it will have shipments cleared electronically through Canada Customs at Canadian ports for distribution across the country, through services that include obtaining the release of imported goods, paying any duties that apply and transmitting necessary documents.

The Montreal-based company said it expects the new service to drive more business over its network and assist CN WorldWide, its international freight-forwarding subsidiary, attract new clients.

It will also help the CN Customs Group improve the fluidity of the rail network by expediting clearance of customers' rail cars or intermodal shipments, CN said.

CN serves ports that include Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax and New Orleans, with connections to all points in North America.