I.Railway TransportationWhat are the unique advantages compared to sea/air freight?

In 2025, international rail transport presents three core advantages:Time-cost trade-off(The China-Europe route takes 18-22 days in total, with costs 60% lower than air freight.)、Customs clearance convenience(China-Europe freight trains enjoy customs "green channel"),Carbon emission advantage(Reducing carbon footprint by 95% compared to air transport). Specifically:

• The cost of bulk cargo transportation is 50-70% lower compared to air freight.
• Capable of transporting oversized cargo with single-piece weights up to 35 tons.
• Supports mixed transportation modes of FCL/LCL.

II. How to Choose a Reliable Railway Freight Forwarder?

Professional railway agents must possess four core qualifications:International freightQualifiedandRailway Container Management QualificationandHazardous Materials Transport Permit(if involved),E-port record filingIt is recommended to evaluate through the following dimensions:

• Line coverage capability
  • Do you have multi-port shipping capabilities (e.g., Chongqing/Xi'an/Yiwu)?
  • Direct Cooperation Agreements with Overseas Railway Companies
• Exception handling mechanism
  • Border Gauge Change Delay Compensation Plan
  • Emergency Response Plan for Extreme Weather

III. RailwaysThe containerWhat is the specific operational process for exports?

The standard operating procedure consists of eight key nodes:

1. Booking Confirmation (14 working days in advance)
2. Container allocation (to be completed within 3 working days)
3. Cargo gathering at the port (48 hours before the deadline)
4. Customs declaration (HS code and certificate of origin required)
5. Railway carriage (obtain railway waybill)
6. OverseasCustoms clearance(The agent must provide a TIR guarantee.)
7. Destination Delivery (Electronic Proof of Delivery)
8. Return of empty containers (to be completed within 30 days)

4. What components are included in railway transportation costs?

Cost Composition of Typical China-Europe Routes in 2025:

• Basic freight (accounting for 60-70%)
• Port operation fee (including transshipment/disinfection)
• Insurance premium (it is recommended to purchase all risks insurance)
• Demurrage (free period usually 14 days)
• Special Cargo Surcharge (Oversized/Hazardous Materials)

Cost optimization recommendations:Book 21 days in advance to enjoy a 5% freight discount, and a container loading rate ≥85% can waive storage fees.

5. What factors affect the transportation lead time?

According to 2024 industry data, the main delay factors include:

• Border rail gauge change operation (average duration: 36 hours)
• Extreme weather (winter Siberian section delay risk +40%)
• Political factors (changes in transit country policies)
• Inspection rate (the inspection probability for electronic products reaches 25%).

A professional agent should provideFull - process temperature monitoring(Refrigerated cargo) andGPS positioningService, achieving 48-hour anomaly alert.

6. How to resolve customs clearance issues?

The new EU regulations in 2025 require all rail inbound goods to declare EPD data in advance. Common customs clearance issues and coping strategies:

• Document discrepancies
  • Apply for the "Arrival Correction" procedure immediately
  • Activate the standby letter of credit.
• Commodity classification disputes
  • Provide a third-party pre-classification report.
  • Application for Customs Administrative Reconsideration

VII. What should be noted for special cargo transportation?

Key points for transporting hazardous materials/cold chain/oversized cargo:

• Dangerous goods
  • The UN38.3 test report must be provided.
  • The loading must comply with the RID International Rail Regulations for Dangerous Goods.
• Cold chain goods
  • -25℃冷藏箱需預冷48小時
  • Temperature recording and filing every 6 hours.

8. How to verify the authenticity of an agency company?

Three-step verification method to safeguard rights:

1. InspectionList of Registered Companies under China Railway Corporation
2. Demand to showRecent Quarterly Container Management Fee Payment Voucher
3. verifiedEscrow Agreement for Overseas Customs Clearance Deposit

It is recommended to choose to provide for the first cooperation.Freight CollectSuppliers of terms to reduce financial risks