RAIL SERVICE
Railway Freight from China to Europe
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
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: Machinery and equipment, complete vehicles, furniture and building materials.
- High-value goods: Electronic products and precision instruments.
- Environmentally friendly products: Due to lower carbon emissions.
How To Use Rail Freight From China To Europe
- Contact Us: Contact Miracle Logistics and provide details such as cargo type, weight, volume and destination.
- Quotation: Receive a detailed quotation including base freight, fuel surcharges, customs clearance, insurance and additional services.
- Documentation: Submit commercial invoice, packing list and other relevant documents.
- Booking Confirmation: Get a booking confirmation and estimated transit time.
- Shipping and Tracking: Goods are picked up (if door-to-door) and tracked via a tracking number.
- Customs Clearance: Handled by Miracle Logistics at both ends.
- Delivery: Door-to-door service available upon request.
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. | Perishables, hazardous materials requiring special permits. |
| Transit Time | Balance between speed and cost. | Goods sensitivity, scheduling requirements, track congestion. |
| Cost | Cheaper than air, more expensive than sea. | Weight/volume, distance, additional services. |
| Customs Regulations | Compliance with origin/destination/transit countries’ rules. | Tariffs, trade agreements, documentation accuracy. |
| Insurance | Ensure coverage for goods. | Shipment value, coverage terms. |
| Packaging | Protect goods during transit. | Fragility, handling conditions. |
| Service Provider | Choose a reliable partner like Miracle Logistics. | Network capabilities, experience, customer service. |
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 $4,000 to $8,000. The specific price needs to be quoted according to customer needs and actual conditions.
How To Calculate Rail Freight Costs From China
Example: Shipping 10 pallets of electronics (2,000 kg, 14m³) from Chengdu to Hamburg:
- Base freight: 2,500 kg x $2.50/kg = $6,250
- Fuel surcharge: 10% of base = $625
- Customs clearance: $150
- Insurance: 1% of $10,000 = $100
- Additional services: $200 Total: $7,275
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.
| 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 affecting transit time:
- Route distance
- Border crossings
- Railway congestion
- Weather conditions
- Operational factors
Documents For Rail Shipping From China To Europe
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Customs Declaration
- Certificate of Origin
- Certificate of Insurance
- Export License (if required)
The Difference Between Rail Freight And Sea Freight
| Aspect | Rail Freight | Sea Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Faster, less weather-dependent | Slower, sailing dates uncertain |
| Capacity | Large volume | Largest capacity |
| Cost | Moderate | Cheapest for bulk goods |
| Coverage | Land routes | Global ports |
The Difference Between Rail Freight And Air Freight
| Aspect | Rail Freight | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Moderate stability | Fastest, time-sensitive |
| Capacity | Large volume | Limited by aircraft size |
| Cost | Lower for bulk goods | Most expensive |
| Environmental | Low carbon emissions | High carbon footprint |
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 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.