Railway Freight from China
Rail freight refers to the logistics mode of transporting goods by rail. As one of the main forms of land transportation, rail freight plays a vital role in global trade and domestic transportation. With its large capacity, stability, environmental protection and relatively low cost, rail transportation is particularly suitable for large-volume goods and long-distance transportation, and is the preferred logistics mode for many companies.
Rail freight from China to Europe is a very efficient and affordable way of freight transportation. It is cheaper than air freight, and it takes much less time from China to Europe than sea freight. In recent years, China-Europe Railway has become increasingly popular due to its reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Table of Contents
Guide to Railway Freight from China
Contact us: Contact Ubest Shipping and let us know your shipping requirements, including details such as cargo type, weight, volume and destination.
Quotation: We will provide you with a detailed quotation for your shipment, listing all relevant costs, including basic freight, fuel surcharges, customs clearance fees, insurance and any other additional service charges.
Documentation: Once you agree to the quotation, you will need to provide us with the necessary documents. This may include commercial invoice, packing list and any other relevant documents, depending on the nature of the goods being shipped.
Booking confirmation: Once all documents are completed, we will book the goods and provide you with a booking confirmation and estimated shipping time.
Prepare the goods: Make sure the goods meet the shipping requirements, pack them well, and prepare relevant documents such as commercial invoice, packing list and other necessary customs documents.
Customs clearance: Before departure, export customs clearance procedures need to be completed. Make sure all documents are complete to avoid delays.
Shipping and tracking: We will arrange to pick up the goods (if door-to-door delivery service is included) and deliver them to the railway terminal. While the goods are in transit, we will provide you with a tracking number so that you can monitor the progress of the goods.
Customs clearance: After the goods arrive in Europe, they will be cleared for import. Make sure all necessary documents are provided. Pay the relevant import duties according to the regulations of the destination country.
Delivery: After completing customs clearance, the goods can be delivered by local logistics companies.
Why choose Railway freight from China
Strong capacity
Railway transportation can carry large-scale cargo transportation, and is especially suitable for long-distance transportation of heavy goods and bulk commodities (such as coal, ore, petroleum, chemical products, etc.). A single train car can transport dozens of tons of cargo, while a full freight train can carry thousands of tons.
Cost effective
Compared with air and road transportation, the cost of rail transportation is lower, especially when transporting large quantities of goods, the unit transportation cost is significantly reduced. Rail is a cost-effective option for long-distance transport.
Good transportation stability
Railway transportation is less affected by external factors such as weather and road conditions, so it has strong time stability and can deliver on time, ensuring the reliability of the supply chain. Especially in cases of bad weather or frequent traffic jams, rail transportation can effectively avoid these problems.
Environmentally friendly and low carbon
Compared with road and air transportation, railway transportation consumes less energy and produces less carbon emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation. As the world pays attention to carbon emissions and environmental protection, railway transportation plays an increasingly important role in sustainable logistics.
Wide range of applications
Railway transportation is not only suitable for heavy goods and bulk materials, but also can transport containers and bulk cargo to meet the needs of different industries. In addition, railway freight can also be combined with shipping, road transportation and other methods to form a multimodal transport system and achieve full logistics services.
China to Europe rail freight routes
Container international railway trains between China and Europe and countries along the “Belt and Road”. Its route can be divided into three main operating lines: the western channel, the middle channel and the eastern channel.
Western passage
The Western Corridor mainly exits from the central and western regions of my country through Alashankou (Horgos) and leads to European countries. The main routes include: Chongqing-Duisburg, Chengdu-Lodz
, Xi’an-Duisburg, Lanzhou-Hamburg and other lines, these lines not only promote economic and trade cooperation with countries and regions along the route, but also provide more opportunities for enterprises in western my country to export to Europe.
Middle channel
The Central Corridor mainly exits from North my country through Erenhot and leads to European countries. The main routes include: Zhengzhou-Hamburg, Shenyang-Europe. This route provides enterprises in the central and eastern regions with a new channel to Europe, and also promotes the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.
Eastern Passage
The Eastern Passage mainly exits from the southeastern coastal areas of my country through Manzhouli (Suifenhe) and leads to European countries. The main routes include: Suzhou-Warsaw, Yiwu-Madrid: As an important part of the China-Europe freight train, this route runs through the New Silk Road Economic Belt. In addition, there are also eastern coastal cities such as Guangzhou, Qingdao, and Lianyungang passing through Manzhouli or Suifenhe. Outbound China-Europe train lines connect Russia, Europe and other countries and regions.
Costs of China Railway Freight to Europe
The price of China-Europe trains varies according to factors such as the type of goods, transportation distance, and transportation time. Generally speaking, rail transportation is relatively cheap and is particularly suitable for long-distance transportation of bulk goods.
20ft container: Generally, the rail freight for transporting a 20ft container from China to Europe is between US$4,000-6,000. This is a rough range, and the actual cost will vary depending on the route and type of goods.
40ft container: The freight for a 40ft container is around US$6,000-8,000, and the specific price also depends on the weight of the goods, the route, and the service requirements.
Costs composition of China Railway Freight to Europe
Basic freight
Basic freight refers to the fixed cost of railway transportation, including wagon fees, loading and unloading fees, etc. This is the most important cost part of railway transportation.
Surcharges
Surcharges include fuel surcharges, currency fluctuation surcharges, etc., which will be adjusted according to market fluctuations.
Customs clearance fees
The cost of customs clearance depends on the type of goods and the relevant regulations of the destination country. Including China’s export customs clearance fees and European destination country’s import customs clearance fees.
Cargo insurance premiums
Insurance costs in railway transportation are usually calculated based on the value of the goods. The insurance costs of high-value goods are relatively high.
Other costs
Other costs may include transit costs, storage fees, etc. of goods. These costs vary depending on the specific operational needs of the goods.
Times of China Railway Freight to Europe
| Origin | Destination (Europe) | Approximate Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| China | Germany | 16-18 days |
| China | Poland | 17-19 days |
| China | France | 18-20 days |
| China | Spain | 18-21 days |
| China | Hungary | 17-20 days |
| China | Italy | 16-19 days |
| China | Austria | 16-19 days |
| China | Belgium | 16-19 days |
| China | Czech | 16-19 days |
Factors affecting time and cost of Railway Freight from China to Europe
Transportation distance and route selection
Distance length: The length of the China-Europe railway transportation route directly affects freight and time. The distance between different starting points and end points as well as the operating route of the train will directly affect freight and time. The farther the distance and the more countries it passes through, the higher the transportation cost. The longer the time
Container type
The size and type of container also have a significant impact on freight rates. Although the freight of 40-foot containers is higher, the cost of a single piece of cargo is lower, making it suitable for bulk commodity transportation. 20-foot containers are suitable for small quantities of goods, and the freight is relatively low. Calculate.
Cargo type
Different types of goods have different requirements when transporting them. For example, dangerous goods, perishables or high-value goods, large goods require special loading equipment and require special handling, which increases the complexity and cost of transportation and may extend the transportation time.
Seasonal fluctuations in shipping costs
Railway transportation between China and Europe is also affected by seasonal factors. Generally speaking, during peak seasons (such as China’s export peak or European holidays), demand for China-Europe railway transportation increases, freight rates rise, and trains may extend transportation time due to backlog of goods.
Climatic conditions
In winter, especially in cold regions such as Siberia, rail transportation can be affected by extreme weather, resulting in longer transportation times. The weather is more stable in the spring and summer, and so are the times and costs.
Customs fees and insurance
Various costs involved in the transportation of goods, such as customs clearance fees, cargo insurance, etc., will be included in the total freight. Different types of goods and destination countries have different customs regulations and customs clearance fees.
Notes on railway freight
Packaging requirements
Ensure that the goods are properly packaged to withstand vibration and impact during transportation. Use moisture-proof materials to prevent moisture or damage to the goods.
Document preparation
Fill out the transportation documents accurately and ensure that the information on the transportation documents, invoices and packing lists is accurate to avoid customs clearance and transportation delays. Prepare relevant licenses and compliance documents according to the type of goods.
Cargo classification
Special cargo handling: such as dangerous goods, perishable goods, etc., need to be specially handled in accordance with relevant regulations and follow the corresponding transportation regulations. Ensure that the weight and volume of the goods meet the standards for railway transportation.
Schedule
Railway transportation takes a long time, and transportation plans need to be arranged in advance to ensure on-time delivery. Use the logistics management system or the tracking tools provided to monitor the status of cargo transportation in real time and deal with emergencies in a timely manner
Cost budget
Carefully estimate various expenses before transportation, including freight, insurance, loading and unloading fees, etc., to avoid unexpected expenses. Choose a cost-effective transportation plan.
Insurance
Cargo insurance, insure the goods to prevent possible losses and risks during transportation.
Customs clearance process
Be familiar with customs clearance requirements: Understand the customs clearance requirements of the destination country in advance and ensure that all documents are complete to avoid customs clearance delays. If necessary, consider entrusting a professional freight forwarder to handle customs clearance matters.