With the advancement of the “Belt and Road” initiative, railway freight from China to Europe has become the logistics method chosen by more and more companies.
Railway transportation not only provides stable and efficient services, but also balances the advantages and disadvantages of sea and air transportation to a certain extent.
This guide will introduce the overall picture of railway transportation from China to Europe in detail from multiple aspects, including the overview of China’s railway freight, major freight routes, products suitable for railway transportation, prices, time and comparison with other modes of transportation.
What is Railway Freight from China to Europe
China’s railway freight, with its high efficiency, stability and environmental protection, occupies an important position in the field of international logistics. As the star product among them, the China-Europe Express has developed into an important international logistics channel connecting China with Europe and the countries along the “Belt and Road” since the first train was launched in 2011. These trains run according to fixed train numbers, routes, schedules and full-time operation times, providing strong support for trade between the two countries.
Compared with other modes of transportation, rail freight service from China to Europe has several advantages. First, it is faster than sea transportation and cheaper than air transportation. Second, it is more reliable than sea Freight because it is not affected by weather and port congestion problems that can delay sea transportation. Finally, it is more environmentally friendly than air transportation and can help companies reduce their carbon footprint.
Compared with traditional sea and air transportation, rail freight has the advantages of fast speed and moderate cost, and is particularly suitable for the transportation of medium and long distances and bulk goods.
Railway freight routes from China to Europe
The China-Europe Express mainly lays out three channels: West, Central and East:
- Western Channel: Starting from the central and western regions of the country, exiting through the Alashankou (or Horgos) port, passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany and other countries, and finally reaching various parts of Europe.
- Central Channel: Starting from the North China region of the country, exiting through the Erenhot port, entering Mongolia and heading to Europe.
- Eastern Channel: Starting from the northeast region of China, exiting through the Manchuria (or Suifenhe) port, entering the Russian Trans-Siberian Railway and heading to Europe.
Specific routes include Changsha to Duisburg, Germany, Yiwu to Madrid, Spain, Harbin to Russia, etc. These routes cover a wide range of European regions and provide convenient logistics services for customers in different regions.
| Origin (China) | Destination (Europe) | Key Transit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqing | Duisburg (Germany) | Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus |
| Chengdu | Lodz (Poland) | Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus |
| Zhengzhou | Hamburg (Germany) | Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus |
| Yiwu | Madrid (Spain) | Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, France |
| Wuhan | Pardubice (Czech Republic) | Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus |
| Suzhou | Warsaw (Poland) | Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus |
What are the common trains from Chinese cities to Europe?
Wuhan-Europe Express
- Railway route: Wuhan-Alashankou-Malashevich-Poland-Hamburg, Germany-Duisburg.
- Cargo type: General cargo LCL, FCL
- Export train schedule: Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Train transportation time: 15 days to 17 to Poland, 18 to 20 days to Hamburg
Chongqing-Europe train
- Railway route: Chongqing-Alashan-Malashevich-Poland-Duisburg, Germany
- Cargo type: General cargo LCL, FCL
- Export train schedule: Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays
- Train transportation time: 15 to 17 days to Poland, 18 to 20 days to Hamburg
Zhengzhou-Europe train
- Railway route: Zhengzhou-Alashankou-Warsaw, Poland-Hamburg, Germany-Duisburg, Germany
- Cargo type: General cargo LCL, FCL
- Export train schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
- Train transportation time: 14 days to 16 to Poland, 17 to 19 days to Hamburg
What are the European countries that can be transported from China by train?
At present, China-Europe trains have covered most European countries, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Poland, etc. These trains not only connect the main economic centers of Europe, but also go deep into the inland areas, providing local businesses and consumers with a rich selection of goods.
What countries are there in Europe?
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden.
Which products are suitable for rail freight?
The China-Europe Express mainly transports containerized goods. Products suitable for rail transportation include but are not limited to:
- Bulk goods: such as machinery and equipment, complete vehicles, furniture and building materials, etc. These goods are large in size and heavy in weight, and are suitable for long-distance transportation by rail.
- High-value goods: such as electronic products and precision instruments, etc., which are safer for rail transportation and can effectively reduce the risk of loss of goods during transportation.
- Environmentally friendly products: Compared with other modes of transportation, rail transportation has lower carbon emissions, so it is also suitable for transporting environmentally friendly products.
How to use Rail Freight from China to Europe
- Contact Us: Contact Linkshare and let us know your shipping requirements, including details such as cargo type, weight, volume and destination.
- Quotation: We will provide a detailed quotation for your shipment, listing all associated costs, including base freight, fuel surcharges, customs clearance, insurance and any other additional service charges.
- Documentation: Once you agree to the quote, you will need to provide us with the necessary documentation. This may include a commercial invoice, packing list and any other relevant documents depending on the nature of the goods being shipped.
- Booking Confirmation: Once all documents are complete, we will book the shipment and provide you with a booking confirmation and estimated transit time.
- Shipping and Tracking: We will arrange to pick up the goods (if door-to-door service is included) and deliver to the rail terminal. Once the goods are on the way, we will provide you with a tracking number so that you can monitor the progress of your shipment.
- Customs Clearance: We will handle the customs clearance process at both ends of the shipment.
- Delivery: Once at the destination, if door-to-door service is selected, your goods will be delivered to the designated location.
Things to note when transporting by rail from China to Europe:
| Key Consideration | Description | Influencing Items |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Goods | Certain goods are more suitable for rail transport than others. | Perishable goods or those requiring strict temperature control might not be the best fit due to the transit time. Hazardous materials need special attention and may require specific permits or handling procedures. |
| Transit Time | Rail freight typically offers a balance between speed and cost. | The type of goods and their sensitivity to transit times, your own scheduling requirements, and potential delays at customs or due to track congestion. |
| Cost | Rail freight is generally cheaper than air freight, but more expensive than sea freight. | The weight and volume of the cargo, the distance traveled, and any additional services requested (like door-to-door service, customs handling, etc.) |
| Customs Regulations | You should be aware of the customs regulations of both the source and destination countries, as well as any countries your freight will transit through. | The type of goods being transported (certain goods may be subject to additional regulations or restrictions), any tariffs or trade agreements in place, and the documentation provided for the goods. |
| Insurance | Ensure your cargo is insured. | The value of the goods being shipped, the level of coverage you desire, and the terms of the policy (some may not cover certain types of damage or incidents). |
| Packaging | Proper packaging is crucial for protecting your goods during transit. | The fragility and nature of the goods, the expected handling and conditions during transit, and the regulations for packaging certain types of goods. |
| Service Provider | Choosing a reliable service provider like Linkshare Logistics Company is critical. | The provider’s network and capabilities, their experience and reputation, the services they offer, and their customer service and responsiveness. |
Prices of China Railway Freight to Europe
The price of China-Europe trains varies depending on factors such as the type of goods, transportation distance, and transportation time. Generally speaking, the price of rail transportation is relatively low, especially suitable for long-distance transportation of bulk goods. The cost of a 40ft container train is $6,000 to $8,000. The cost of sea transportation is $4,000 to $6,000. The specific price needs to be quoted according to customer needs and actual conditions.
How to Calculate Rail Freight Costs from China
Let’s say you are shipping 10 standard pallets of electronics (non-hazardous goods) from Chengdu, China to Hamburg, Germany. The total weight of the shipment is 2,000 kg and the volume is 14 cubic meters. The cost might be determined as follows:
- Base freight rate: This rate is based on the weight and volume of the shipment. Rail freight services typically use a metric called “receivable weight” which takes both weight and volume into account. In our example, let’s assume the receivable weight is 2,500 kg (after accounting for actual weight and volume) and the rate is $2.50 per kg. Therefore, the base freight rate is 2,500 kg x $2.50/kg = $6,250.
- Fuel surcharge: Fuel costs can fluctuate and these changes are often passed on to customers in the form of a fuel surcharge. Let’s assume this is 10% of the base freight rate in our example. This would add $625 to the cost.
- Customs clearance: Customs clearance charges may be charged separately at both ends. Let’s assume the cost of this service is $150.
- Insurance: The cost of insurance depends on the value of the shipment. If the electronics are worth $10,000 and the insurance rate is 1% of the value, the insurance would cost $100.
- Additional Services: If you require door-to-door delivery, there may be additional charges. For this example, let’s assume $200.
- So, adding up all these costs, the total cost of shipping electronics from Chengdu to Hamburg could be $7,275. Please note that this is a hypothetical example and actual costs can vary greatly depending on a number of factors.
Rail freight time from China to Europe
The transportation time of China-Europe Express varies depending on the route. Generally speaking, the transportation time from China to Europe is between 15 and 20 days. Although in theory some routes have shorter operation times, in actual operation, due to the existence of track changes, inspections and other links, the actual transportation time may be slightly longer.
| Origin (China) | Destination (Europe) | Approximate Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqing | Duisburg (Germany) | 16-18 days |
| Chengdu | Lodz (Poland) | 17-19 days |
| Zhengzhou | Hamburg (Germany) | 18-20 days |
| Yiwu | Madrid (Spain) | 18-21 days |
| Wuhan | Pardubice (Czech) | 17-20 days |
| Suzhou | Warsaw (Poland) | 16-19 days |
Factors that affect rail freight transport time:
- Route distance: The distance between the origin and destination is the main factor determining transit time. The longer the route, the longer the transit time.
- Border crossings: Freight trains crossing international borders may experience delays due to customs checks and inspections.
- Railway congestion: Like road traffic, rail traffic can also experience congestion, especially on popular routes or during peak shipping seasons. This can cause delays.
- Weather conditions: Extreme weather conditions can affect transit times. For example, severe cold or snowfall can cause delays.
- Operational factors: Factors such as rail maintenance, equipment failure, or other unforeseen events can also affect transit times.
Documents for Rail Shipping from China to Europe
Here are some of the necessary documents that are usually required for rail freight from China:
- Commercial Invoice: This is a document that lists the details of the goods being shipped, including quantity, value, and description. Customs officials use the commercial invoice to assess duties and taxes.
- Packing List: This is a detailed list of the contents of each package in transit. It includes information such as the weight, dimensions, and quantity of each package.
- Bill of Lading: This is a document that serves as a receipt for the goods and a contract between the shipper and the carrier. It includes information such as the origin and destination of the goods, the names of the shipper and carrier, and the terms of the agreement.
- Customs Declaration: This is a document that declares the contents of the goods and provides information about the origin and destination of the goods. Customs officials use it to assess duties and taxes.
- Certificate of Origin: This is a document that proves the country of origin of the goods. Some countries require a certificate of origin in order to receive certain tariff treatment or to comply with certain import regulations.
- Certificate of Insurance: This is a document that proves that the goods are insured against loss or damage during transportation.
- Export License: Depending on the type of goods being shipped, an export license may be required to comply with export regulations.
It is important to note that the specific documentation required may vary depending on the type of goods being shipped, the countries of origin and destination, and the carrier being used. Before booking a rail freight shipment from China, we always recommend working with a logistics provider or freight forwarder to ensure that all necessary documentation is in place.
The difference between rail freight and sea freight
- Transport speed: Rail transport is faster and less affected by climatic conditions; while sea freight is relatively slow and the sailing date is not easy to be accurate.
- Transport volume: Sea transport has a larger loading capacity and is suitable for long-distance transportation of bulk commodities; rail transport also has a larger volume, but slightly smaller than sea transport.
- Cost: The freight rate of sea transport is relatively cheap, especially for bulk commodities; the cost of rail transport is also low, but slightly higher than sea transport.
- Coverage: Sea transport has a wider coverage and can cover ports around the world; rail transport is mainly limited to land transportation routes.
The difference between rail freight and air freight
- Speed and timeliness: Air freight has the fastest speed and is suitable for urgent or time-sensitive goods; rail transport is relatively slow, but has high stability.
- Transport capacity: The transport capacity of air transport is relatively small and is limited by the cargo capacity of aircraft; the transport capacity of rail transport is relatively large.
- Cost: Air transport costs are higher because of its fast speed and strong flexibility; rail transport costs are lower, especially for long-distance transportation of large quantities of goods.
- Environmental impact: Air transport has high carbon emissions and has a great impact on the environment; rail transport has low carbon emissions and is relatively environmentally friendly.
In conclusion, rail freight services from China to Europe have become an important link in the global supply chain, providing a viable alternative to sea and air freight. As we have discussed, China’s extensive railway network connects multiple European countries, providing efficient and reliable freight services.
Rail transportation from China to Europe provides companies with an efficient and stable logistics method, especially suitable for the transportation of medium and long distances and bulk goods. Customers can choose the appropriate transportation method according to their own needs and actual conditions to achieve the best logistics results.