Rail freight is a highly effective transport option for cargo moving from Asia to Europe, where rail infrastructure is well developed. It is also faster than sea freight, with typical transit times of around 18–25 days depending on the route.
Rail transport can be a strong option for higher-value or more time-sensitive goods travelling long distances.
Process
1. Cargo and route assessment
We assess the cargo quantity, container type, departure terminal, destination and the most suitable rail route.
2. Booking and delivery to the terminal
Space is booked on the train and the cargo or container is delivered to the departure rail terminal.
3. Main rail transport
The cargo travels along the planned rail route while key movement and terminal statuses are monitored.
4. Destination terminal and formalities
At the destination terminal the cargo is received and the required documentation and customs formalities are completed.
5. Final delivery
The container or cargo is handed over to road transport and delivered to the final location specified by the client.
Cargo and route assessment
Main rail transport
Final delivery
Delivery to the terminal
Arrival and customs formalities
- 1
Cargo and route assessment
- 2
Delivery to the terminal
- 3
Main rail transport
- 4
Arrival and customs formalities
- 5
Final delivery
Advantages
Rail freight offers several advantages specific to this mode of transport:
Time
Sea freight may take around 55–70 days, while rail typically takes around 25 days on suitable routes.
Price
This mode is less expensive than air freight and offers a strong balance between price and speed.
Patikimumas
Rail movement is less dependent on changing weather conditions that can disrupt sea or air transport.
FAQ
Rail freight sits between sea and air transport. It is worth considering when sea freight is too slow and air freight is too expensive for the available budget. Rail offers relatively stable transit times and can deliver cargo from Asia to Europe in less than a month on suitable routes.
Typical transit from major Chinese rail terminals such as Chengdu, Xi'an or Chongqing to terminals in Lithuania may take around 18–25 days, depending on the specific route, border crossings, terminal capacity and current network conditions.
Yes. Cargo is usually transported in standard intermodal containers, commonly 40 ft High Cube units. Depending on your needs, you can book a full container (FCL) dedicated to your goods or use an LCL solution in which container space is shared and you pay for the portion occupied by your cargo.
Rail transport can be subject to stricter safety and environmental restrictions. These may affect dangerous goods, liquid chemicals without suitable tank containers, goods containing high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, and certain dual-use or military goods. The feasibility of dangerous-goods transport should be assessed individually based on the exact product and route. Perishable goods may also be more difficult to move where continuous temperature control cannot be maintained at all terminals along the route.
Rail container services mainly connect China with Europe. We can also arrange multimodal solutions for cargo from places such as Taiwan by combining sea transport with rail transport.
