Rail freight services

Rail freight in China is one of the most important modes of transport for the movement of goods within the country and internationally.

The rapid development of China's rail transport system has led to significant improvement in rail freight services over the past decades, making it an attractive choice for companies wishing to transport goods across the country.

With the establishment of the New Silk Road, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative, rail freight in China has become even more important for international trade, providing an efficient, reliable and economical means of transportation to connect China with its trading partners around the world.

DocShipper China offers an expert rail freight service from all Chinese cities to Europe, or anywhere in the world, providing increased flexibility to customize our offers to the specific needs of our customers.

We have compiled in this guide all the essential information on rail transport between China and Europe, Russia or Central Asia. If you're looking for an efficient alternative to air or ocean freight services, you've come to the right place. We invite you to dive into this instructive and enriching read!

reliable

Rail transport is the most reliable mode of transport because it is less affected by weather conditions than other modes of transport.

Well organized

Rail transport is safer, more uniform and regular than other modes of transport thanks to its fixed routes and schedules.

High speed over long distances

Rail transport is the best choice for long-distance traffic due to its superior speed compared to all modes of transport except air.

Suitable for bulky and heavy goods

Rail transport is economical, faster and better suited for transporting heavy and bulky goods over long distances.

Cheaper transport

Rail transport is economical because most operating expenses are fixed costs and it requires less labor than motorized transport, although ocean freight remains the cheapest method for large volumes.

Security

Rail transport is the safest mode of transport with insignificant risk of accidents and breakdowns compared to other modes of transport, and traffic can be protected from weather conditions.

Larger capacity

Rail transport has an extremely large and elastic transport capacity which can be easily increased by adding more wagons if necessary.

Public welfare

The railways are the largest public company in the country, provide many public services, have fares based on the principle of "taxing what the traffic can bear", and are considered a national necessity to help the poor.

Huge capital investment

Rail transport requires a large capital investment with high construction, maintenance and overhead costs compared to other modes of transport, as well as specific and real estate investments which can lead to a considerable waste of resources if the traffic is insufficient.

Lack of flexibility

Another disadvantage of rail transport is its lack of flexibility. Its routes and times cannot be adjusted to individual needs and must follow standards.

Absence of door to door service

Rail transport is limited in providing door-to-door service, resulting in higher costs, accumulated wear and tear and loss of time for intermediate loading and unloading, and inconvenience related to terminal operations which are also present in sea freight.

Monopoly

As the railways require considerable investment, they can give rise to monopolies and harm the public interest. Even if it is controlled and managed by the government, the lack of competition can lead to inefficiency and high costs.

Not suitable for short distances and small loads

Rail transport is neither suitable nor economical for short distance journeys and reduced freight traffic.

Booking formalities

It takes a lot of time and work to book and take delivery of goods by rail, compared to the sea or air freight.

No rural service

Rail transport is hardly economically viable in rural areas due to capital requirements and traffic, resulting in a lack of rail service in large rural areas, causing inconvenience to people in those areas.

Underused capacity

The railway must have a full load for its ideal and economical operation. Because of its very large carrying capacity, the underutilization of its capacity in most regions is a serious financial problem and a loss to the economy.

Railway stations in Europe

• Germany: Burghausen, Basel, Duisburg, Hamburg, Kornwestheim, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg, Schkopau, Ludwigshafen
• Austria: Vienna, Wels
• Belgium: Antwerp
• Spain: Barcelona, Bilbao, Tarragona, Madrid
• Sweden: Goethenburg, Malmo
• Finland: Kotka
• Italy: Bologna, Trieste, Verona, Busto Arsizio
• France: Bayonne, Lyon
• Netherlands: Rotterdam
• Hungary: Gyoer, Budapest
• Poland: Malaszewiche
• Norway: Oslo

Railway stations in Eurasia

• Russia: Ekaterinburg, Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Kaluga, Tomsk, Bazaiha, Cheljabinsk, Perm, Samara, Omsk, Novomoskovsk, Tobolsk
• Estonia: Tallinn, Narva, Paldiski
• Belarus: Minsk, Mogilev, Orscha
• Kyrgyzstan: Alamedin, Bischkek, Osh
• Azerbaijan: Baku, Kishly
• Latvia: Riga, Zilupe, Daugavpils
• Ukraine: Kiev, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk
• Uzbekistan: Taschkent, Chukursay, Uchkuduk
• Turkmenistan: Aschgabad, Balkanabad, Turkmenbaschi
• Lithuania: Vilnus, Klaipeda, Kjana
• Kazakhstan: Almaty, Aktau, Karaganda
• Tajikistan: Duschanbe, Hudzhand, Kurgan-Tjube

Duisburg - Germany

• Interior barge services: in Rotterdam and Antwerp, 3 x per week.
• Rail connections: to Rotterdam-RSC, Antwerp's main hub + Combining during the week
• Storage capacity: 7,500 TEUs on 120,000 m²
• Crane options: 4 stacker stackers, 2 gantry cranes, 1 water crane
• Rail/water infrastructure: 6 rail tracks (700 m each), platform (250 m)
• Truck fleet: chassis for all container sizes, side loaders
• Container depot
• Container repairs
• Customs clearance services

Hamburg - Germany

• Rail connections: Ludwigshafen / Frankfurt / Karlsruhe / Munich / Kornwestheim / Stuttgart / Duisburg / Neuss / Rostock / Lübeck / Kiel / Nuremberg / Cologne / Basel / Busto (IT) / Verona (IT) / Lovosice (CZ) / Taulov (DK) / Napoli (IT) / Madrid (ES) / Patras (GRC) / Vienna (AT) per day
• Storage capacity: 1280 TEU, 120 trailers over 320,000 m²
• Opening hours: 24 hours a day from Monday to Saturday
• Terminal management: 400,000 units per year
• Crane options: 7 gantry cranes, 2-terminal tractor
• Railway infrastructure: 4 railways (720 m each), 4 railways (620 m each), 4 railways (585 m each)
• Truck fleet: chassis for all container sizes
• Refrigerated caps
• Stationary brake test facility
• Container depot
• Container repairs
• Customs clearance services

FAQ | Rail transport advantages

✅What are the advantages of rail freight compared to other modes of transport?

It's faster than a boat, cheaper than a plane, it's sometimes the perfect balance, the perfect formula for your expedition. Moreover, it is a reliable, well-organized transport, suitable for heavy and bulky goods. In fact, DocShipper China provides a professional rail service from all cities in China to Europe.

🌍Where can DocShipper provide its rail service?

(1) In stations in Europe: (Austria, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Norway) (2) Eurasia: (Russia, Moscow, Estonia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan) (3) Asia: (China, Russia, Central Asia)

📝What documents are required for road haulage?

The CIM consignment note or the Lettre de Voiture Internationale (LVI). This document is drawn up by the consignor and the railway company. There is a contract of carriage as soon as the company has agreed to carry the goods. This acceptance is evidenced by the date stamped on the consignment note at the forwarding station.

❌What are the disadvantages of rail freight?

The cost of shipping by rail freight can be quite expensive when it comes to short distances. Delays at border crossings if there is a change of rail operator. Due to strict routes and timetables, rail freight transport lacks flexibility. Door-to-door delivery is not possible. Once the freight arrives at the rail terminal, alternative logistics solutions must be considered to transport it to its point of destination. The booking process is longer compared to the organisation of freight transport by road.

💸What are the variables that determine the cost of shipping by rail freight?

The calculation of the cost of sending by rail freight depends on several factors described below. If you are considering shipping goods by rail in order to choose the cheapest freight transportation service, please consider the following: (1) Shipment dimensions: These include the size and weight of the goods being transported. (2) Distance: rail is the cheapest means of freight transport for long distance shipments. (3) Pick-up and delivery points: How far from the nearest railway station are the pick-up and delivery points? (4) Nature of goods: what types of articles are best suited for rail freight transport (fragile objects, toxic, flammable substances, etc.)? (5) Insurance: Depending on the nature of the goods transported, additional insurance forms may be required. (6) Customs clearance: when your shipment crosses the border, customs clearance and import fees may apply.