“The departure cities of the China-Europe Railway Express include but are not limited to Chongqing, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Suzhou, Wuhan, etc. It can reach cities in multiple countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and Russia. Specific cities include Duisburg, Hamburg, Munich, and others in Germany, Paris and Lyon in France, Madrid and Valencia in Spain, Milan and Rome in Italy, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Liege in Belgium, Rhodes and Warsaw in Poland, and Moscow in Russia.”
How Can I Help You
Safe and convenient railway freight services
The China-Europe Railway Express is an international freight railway line connecting China and various European countries. This route crosses the Asian continent, crosses the Eurasian border, and ultimately reaches major cities in Europe, providing a new logistics channel for trade between China and Europe.
The China-Europe Railway Express has the characteristics of safety, speed, low cost, and all-weather. In serving the domestic and international dual circulation and facilitating China Europe trade, China-Europe Railway Express plays an increasingly prominent role as an international strategic channel. It promotes the growth of goods transportation and ensures the stability of the international industrial and supply chains. It has access to 223 cities in 25 European countries. As the channel capacity continues to expand, its transportation efficiency continues to enhance, and service quality further improves.
Where China-Europe Rail Freight Runs
China-Europe block trains leave from inland terminals such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Zhengzhou and Yiwu, cross the border at Alashankou or Khorgos into Kazakhstan, transit Russia and Belarus, and enter the EU at Malaszewicze in Poland. From there cargo is railed or trucked to hubs including Duisburg, Hamburg, Warsaw, Milan and Madrid. The route suits cargo bound for inland Europe, where sea freight would still need a long inland leg after the port.
Rail vs Ocean vs Air
| Rail | Ocean | Air | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical door-to-door transit to Europe | 25-35 days | 35-50 days | 7-12 days |
| Cost level | Middle | Lowest | Highest |
| Best for | Mid-value, mid-urgency cargo to inland Europe | Heavy and bulky cargo, price-sensitive | Urgent, high-value or seasonal cargo |
| Capacity constraint | Limited slots, schedule changes | Weekly sailings | Weight and volume limits |
Transit times vary with terminal congestion, border queues and season; we confirm the current schedule for your lane at the time of booking rather than quoting a fixed number.
What Cargo Suits Rail
- Consumer goods, home appliances, auto parts and machinery bound for inland EU destinations
- Sellers restocking European warehouses ahead of peak season when ocean is too slow and air is too expensive
- Cargo that must avoid the seasonal congestion and rate spikes of Asia-Europe ocean lanes
Customs Across Multiple Borders
A rail shipment crosses several customs territories, so the documentation has to be consistent from the first border to the last. We handle the export declaration in China, coordinate transit declarations with our rail partners, and complete EU import clearance under DDP where agreed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does China-Europe rail freight take?
Typically 25-35 days door-to-door to Western Europe, depending on the terminal, border queues and final destination. We confirm the latest schedule for your lane before booking.
Is rail freight cheaper than air?
Yes, substantially – rail costs a fraction of air freight while being considerably faster than ocean for inland European destinations.
Can I ship batteries or liquids by rail?
Restricted categories need DG documentation and are accepted only on designated services; send us the product details and we will confirm before booking.