Railway fREIGHT
China-Europe Cross-Border Railway Express
Enhancing Connectivity and Trade Efficiency
Railway Freight
Keep your cargo journey on track
In recent years, rail freight transport has emerged as an increasingly favourable method for shipping goods between China and Europe. This mode of transportation offers notable benefits, primarily in terms of speed and cost efficiency. It surpasses sea freight in speed and is more cost-effective than air freight.
Rail shipping from China to Europe transit times take as little as 20-25 days, which is significantly faster than the 35 days typically required for sea freight. This accelerated delivery time enables businesses to meet time-tight shipping demands.
To explore further and find a reliable freight forwarder from China, click here for valuable information and guidance.
Rail Freight From China to Europe
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Rail freight from China to Europe, commonly called the Yiwu London Cargo train, China-Europe Railway Express, or the Eurasia Railway initiative under the China Belt and Road Initiative program, signify the same shipping method. This transportation option involves a block train carrying 40 x 40HQ full container loads (FCL) directly from China to Europe without any intermediate stops.
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The China-Europe Rail Express service provides several advantages. Firstly, it offers a more cost-effective solution compared to air freight, making it attractive for businesses looking to balance cost and transit time. Secondly, it provides a faster transit time compared to sea freight, enabling timely delivery of goods. This is particularly beneficial for time-sensitive shipments or industries with just-in-time inventory management.
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Train shipping from China to Europe offers a reliable and secure transportation option. The rail networks are equipped with modern infrastructure, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing the risk of delays. Moreover, rail freight provides a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation than air freight, contributing to sustainability efforts.
Rail Freight routes between China and Europe
Train shipping between Asia and Europe primarily operates along two main routes, each catering to specific regions and industries:
Southern Route:
This route traverses Kazakhstan and southern Russia, making it well-suited for freight transportation to and from central China.
It serves regions surrounding major cities such as Chengdu, Chongqing, and Zhengzhou.
Northern Route：
The northern route passes through Siberia and is particularly advantageous for container transport to the northern regions encompassing Beijing, Dalian, Suzhou, and Shenyang.
In Europe, the crucial terminals along this route include Duisburg and Hamburg in Germany, as well as Warsaw in Poland.
Advantages of Rail Freight
In a connected world, where buyer behaviour changes daily, Cross-Border rail freight offers a reliable way of delivering your cargo to time-sensitive markets.
Eco-friendly and sustainable
Rail freight is an environment-friendly mode of transport that contributes to significantly low CO2 emissions.
Agile and flexible
A dense rail network connects your cargo directly to the hinterlands and populated areas alike. With the additional convenience of frequent departures, you can reroute your shipments on the go.
Lower cost of goods to market
Since rail transport carries large volumes of cargo in one go, it reduces working capital, leading to savings over a period.
Consolidate diverse goods in fully controlled shipments.
Rail shipping services now include full container loads (FCL) and less-than-container loads (LCL), accommodating smaller shipments. Logistics providers now offer consolidation services, combining multiple loads from different customers into full containers. This development has made rail freight an appealing solution for smaller-scale shipments.
In recent years, China has made significant investments in the rail connection between Asia and Europe as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. This has resulted in the establishment of its terminals and rail lines. These investments indicate the potential for even shorter transit times and reduced costs in the future.
Rail freght from China to Central Asian countries
Competitive port-to-port freight trains
Door-to-door one-stop service
China is connected to five Central Asian countries through an extensive railway system. These railway links were established under the administration of the Russian railway authority. Specifically, the railway systems at the Xinjiang-Uzbekistan border and Xinjiang-Kazakhstan border connect with the railway networks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
Rail Freight from China to Russia
Rail freight is an important mode of transportation that facilitates trade and connectivity between China and Europe. It offers a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient means of transporting goods across the vast distances between the two countries. Here are some key points to consider regarding rail freight from China to Russia:
- Extensive Railway Network:
Rail freight from China to Russia mainly focuses on the following cities: Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Qingdao, Shanghai, and Yiwu. The Trans-Siberian Railway, spanning over 9,000 kilometres, is the main railway route connecting China and Russia.
- Trade and Economic Importance:
Railway shipping is crucial in supporting bilateral trade between China and Russia, contributing to their economic cooperation and development. It facilitates the transportation of various goods, including raw materials, machinery, consumer products, and more.
- Containerized Transportation:
Goods are typically transported in containers, ensuring efficient handling, easy transfer between different modes of transportation, and enhanced security during transit. Containers can be loaded onto specialized railcars, providing a seamless transportation process.
- Logistics and Intermodal Connectivity:
Rail freight services are often integrated with other modes of transportation, such as trucking or maritime transport, to provide door-to-door delivery options.
Rail Freight From China to the UK
The Belt and Road Initiative has sparked a significant surge in rail freight shipments from China to the UK and other international destinations.
Rail freight from China to the UK is gaining popularity due to its cost-effectiveness and time efficiency. Leveraging the rail networks in both countries, this transportation method offers competitive prices and a dependable service. With a transit time of approximately 18-20 days, rail freight is much faster than traditional sea freight, making it an attractive choice for those seeking swift delivery of their goods.
Shipping safety is important in rail freight from China to the UK. Cargo containers are equipped with security seals to prevent tampering or theft during transit. GPS monitoring and tracking ensure continuous surveillance, allowing customers to monitor their goods throughout the journey.
Rail freight from China to the UK offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for transporting goods. With its dependable and secure service, along with competitive prices, it is an ideal choice for businesses and individuals seeking to transport their goods to the UK. The popularity of the China-UK rail route continues to grow, making it an increasingly integral component of the global transportation network.
How long does rail freight take from China to the UK?
- Rail Freight takes 20 to 23 days from China to the United Kingdom
| From | To UK railway | Rail Freight Transit time |
| Xian | Immingham United Kingdom | 23 days |
| Yiwu | London United Kingdom | 20 days |
How does rail freight calculate the billing weight of packages?
As with air and ocean freight, the concept of chargeable weight applies to rail freight. However, for less-than-container load rail freight, the chargeable weight is determined by comparing the gross and dimensional weights, and the higher of the two is used as the chargeable weight.
To illustrate this, let’s consider an example:
Example:
10 boxes of product
Gross weight per box: 12kg
Dimensions per box: 35cm x 45cm x 48cm
Total gross weight: 12kg*10=120kg
Total volume weight: (35*45*48)/6000*10=126 kg
In this example, the dimensional weight of 126 kg is greater than the gross weight of 120 kg. Therefore, the billable weight of the railway LCL cargo will be calculated based on the volumetric weight of 126 kg.
If you require assistance in determining the chargeable weight for your rail freight shipments, please feel free to contact us. We are here to help.
Inquiry us directly to get an exact quote and charge weight for your shipments.
Step 1： Verify the customer's freight requirements and requests (1-2 hours)
To get a quotation and confirm the shipping method, please provide the product name, weight, and volume of your shipment.
Step 3: Shipping by railway
We will ensure the smooth transportation of your goods to your country, offering services that include delivery to the designated port or convenient door-to-door delivery options.
Step 2: Consolidation(1-3days)
NewSmartShip contacts the supplier to send the goods to our warehouse or we pick up the goods for you.
Step 4: Tracking
Once your goods have been dispatched, we will provide you with a tracking number. This tracking number will allow you to monitor the status of your shipment at any time.
Step 5: Arrival
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How To Book Cargo Rail Freight container from China to Europe?
To ensure timely departure of your cargo, we strongly recommend securing bookings at least 14 days before the intended departure date. You can easily make these arrangements by contacting us directly.
FAQ
Our SIS tracking device service ensures effective monitoring of rail freight from China to Europe. This GPS-based solution enables real-time tracking, reporting, and management of the goods in transit. The SIS tracking device service offers several valuable use cases, including:
- Monitoring shipments by tracking parameters such as temperature, location, and other relevant factors.
- Reporting on the status of cargo, including any deviations from the planned route or schedule.
Furthermore, our dedicated rail freight team keeps you updated on the train's location and GPS status as it progresses towards its destination. This allows you to track and trace your shipment throughout the journey conveniently.
Rail freight from China to Europe usually costs between USD 7,000 and $9,000. Sea freight costs around USD 6,000, while air freight is approximately USD 32,000. Over the past few years, rail freight has emerged as a cost-effective alternative to air freight. Additionally, rail freight offers faster transit times compared to sea freight.
Rail freight from China to Europe offers significantly faster transit times than sea shipping. Here are the estimated delivery durations for various destinations:
- Rail Freight From China to Hungary: Approximately 15 days
- Rail Freight From China to Germany: Approximately 16 days
- Rail Freight From China to Hamburg: Approximately 16 days
- Rail Freight From China to Belgium: Approximately 16 days
- Rail Freight From China to France: Approximately 18 days
- Rail Freight From China to Poland: Approximately 14 days
- Rail Freight From China to Spain: Approximately 20 days
- Rail Freight From China to Italy: Approximately 18 days
- Rail Freight From China to Austria: Approximately 20 days
