RAIL TRANSPORT

Rail freight in Euro24 is a transport of goods based on high predictability, dedicated to servicing regular supply chains in a large scale and volume. Our activities focus on managing full container loads (FCL) and less-than-container loads (LCL), with particular emphasis on imports and exports on our Intermodal Route and intra-European transport corridors.

Operational scalability (FCL/LCL)

Operational scalability (FCL/LCL)

Handling of full containers and smaller batches of goods (from 1 CBM) in a groupage system.

Cost Efficiency

Cost Efficiency

Fixed freight rates in medium-term contracts, resistant to sudden fuel surcharges (BAF) and rolling stock shortages.

Transcontinental Network

Transcontinental Network

Comprehensive import and export service on the China – Poland route. Regular connections on routes linking Poland with Western and Southern Europe.

What does our service include?

Insurance

Insurance

Cargo property insurance for the full value of the goods for the duration of the transport.

Customs Clearance

Customs Clearance

Support in customs formalities, ensuring a smooth and efficient clearance process.

Individual Needs

Individual Needs

Tailored transport services adjusted to your specific requirements.

Critical Cargo

Critical Cargo

Priority transport option for urgent shipments.

Transit Customs Clearance

Transit Customs Clearance

Handling of transit customs procedures in accordance with applicable regulations.

Trusted Partnerships

Trusted Partnerships

Cooperation with experienced terminal operators worldwide.

Comprehensive Service

Comprehensive Service

We handle the entire process, from pickup to delivery to the final destination.

Shipment Security

Shipment Security

Advanced tracking and security systems for cargo protection during the journey.

Professionalism)

Professionalism)

Experienced specialists with deep knowledge of the rail transport industry.

The most important rail connections!

 

Most frequently operated China–Europe rail transport routes:

  • Chengdu (CN)→ Łodz (PL)
  • Zhengzhou (CN) → Małaszewicze (PL)
  • Chongqing (CN)→ Duisburg (DE)
  • Suzhou (CN) → Warszawa (PL)
  • Yiwu (CN) → Hamburg (DE)

Poland lies on the main route of the China Railway Express. Approximately 90% of all freight trains from China to the EU pass through Małaszewicze, which is one of the key terminals.

Rail Transport

Rail transport is most effective when key factors include regular deliveries, schedule stability, and the ability to transport larger volumes of goods over long distances. For many importers from Asia, it is a solution that maintains supply chain liquidity while ensuring control over logistics costs.

Rail is particularly attractive for companies engaged in regular import or export between Europe and Asia. On routes such as China–Europe, rail transport allows for delivery times to be reduced by up to several dozen days compared to sea freight.

An additional advantage of rail transport is its predictability. Freight trains operate according to fixed schedules, allowing companies to plan deliveries and production with greater accuracy. In many industries, especially in the manufacturing and retail sectors, such supply chain stability is just as important as the transport time itself.

Zalety transportu kolejowego

Porównanie typów frachtów:

ParametrSee FrachtRail FrachtRoad DrogowyAir Lotniczy
Transport timeVery longLongShortVery Short
Cost (relative)LowLow / MediumMedium / HighHigh
CO2 EmissionLowLowHighVery high
China – PL Route25–35 days12–18 daysNo option5–7 days
Min. LCL volumeOd 1 CBMOd 1 CBMNo minimumNo minimum

LET US QUOTE YOUR SHIPMENT

Our experts will prepare a precise calculation with an optimal plan tailored to your needs.

Rail Freight Services

FCL – Full Container Load (Rail)

FCL – Full Container Load (Rail)

We offer transport for 20’ and 40’ containers on China–Europe routes and within the European Union. Goods travel without transshipment from the departure terminal to the destination terminal. We provide container pickup directly from the supplier or at the terminal. We service terminals in Poland, such as Małaszewicze, Łódź, Poznań, and Warsaw, as well as western terminals in Duisburg, Hamburg, Tilburg, and Nuremberg. We handle export and import customs clearances, including fiscal clearances with VAT deferment, and ensure shipment tracking throughout the entire transit.

Intra-European Rail Transport

Intra-European Rail Transport

We organize the transport of 20’ and 40’ containers on China–Europe routes and within the EU, where goods travel without transshipment from the departure terminal to the destination terminal. We service routes such as Poland–Germany, Poland–France, and Poland–Benelux. We handle full-wagon and groupage shipments, and “last mile” deliveries to the warehouse are performed by truck.

LCL – Rail Consolidation

LCL – Rail Consolidation

If you don’t have a full container, we will consolidate your cargo with other shippers on the same route, so you only pay for the occupied CBM. We accept shipments starting from a minimum of 1 CBM. We offer regular connections from China, including cities such as Shanghai, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Yiwu, and Suzhou. We provide buyer and supplier consolidation, with transit times ranging from 15 to 20 days.

Intermodal Door-to-Door

Intermodal Door-to-Door

Rail is the core “leg” of the route in our offer. We organize complete door-to-door transport, which includes trucking to the terminal, rail transit, and final “last mile” trucking. Throughout the entire process, your cargo is supervised by a single dedicated account manager who handles the case from A to Z.

We are available for you from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

Incoterms Rules

Incoterms Rules

We advise on selecting the appropriate Incoterms for rail transport, helping to match them to the specifics of a given transaction, cargo type, and transport direction. We precisely define the scope of responsibility for each party, the division of logistics costs, and the point at which risk transfers from the seller to the buyer.

FCL (Full Container Load)

FCL (Full Container Load)

20′ and 40′ containers on China–Europe routes and within the EU. Goods travel without transshipment from the departure terminal to the destination terminal. Full container transport is dedicated to a single shipper, where the entire container is used exclusively for one cargo. This solution is particularly effective for larger volumes of goods, where efficient use of space and minimizing the number of handling operations are key.

LCL (Less than Container Load)

LCL (Less than Container Load)

Consolidation of smaller shipments into a single container, enabling the transport of goods belonging to different shippers within one loading unit. This solution allows for the efficient use of container space and significantly reduces transport costs for smaller volume cargoes.

Cost Efficiency

Cost Efficiency

The cost efficiency of rail freight is based on optimizing expenses in relation to scale and distance. On routes exceeding 1000 km, rail allows for lower unit costs compared to road transport, while offering stable rates that are not subject to rapid market fluctuations.

Intra-European Rail Transport

Intra-European Rail Transport

Intra-EU rail transport is an effective solution for steady cargo flows over distances exceeding 1000 km, connecting Poland with Western and Southern Europe. Utilizing fixed rail corridors makes the supply chain independent of fuel price fluctuations and seasonal shortages of road transport equipment, offering a rigid and predictable schedule in return.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What do FCL and LCL mean in rail transport?

FCL stands for Full Container Load, which refers to the transport of a full container dedicated to a single shipper. The goods are loaded into the container at the point of origin and remain there until delivery to the recipient.
LCL, on the other hand, stands for Less than Container Load and refers to groupage transport. In this model, one container is shared by several shippers, and the transport cost is calculated based on the volume or weight of the shipment.

 

Does rail transport work door-to-door??

Yes, rail transport can be implemented in a door-to-door model; however, in practice, this is done through intermodal transport. This means the goods are first picked up by truck from the supplier, then moved to a rail terminal and transported by train for the main leg of the journey. Upon reaching a terminal in Europe, the container is reloaded onto a truck and delivered directly to the recipient’s warehouse.

 

What is Intermodal Transport?

Intermodal transport involves moving goods in a single loading unit (usually a container) using more than one mode of transport. A key feature of this system is that the goods are not unloaded when changing modes of transport. The container is simply transferred from a truck to a rail wagon or vice versa. This reduces the risk of cargo damage and shortens handling times at logistics terminals.

 

Is rail transport safe?

Rail transport is considered one of the safest forms of moving goods over long distances. Containers remain sealed throughout the entire journey, and trains move along controlled rail infrastructure. Additionally, the number of handling operations is lower than in many other forms of transport, which limits the risk of damage or theft. If necessary, additional cargo insurance can also be purchased.

 

How long does a container take by rail from China to Poland?

Rail transport time from China to Poland is typically between 12 and 18 days for FCL (Full Container Load). In the case of LCL (groupage) transport, the time may be slightly longer, approximately 15–20 days, as shipments are consolidated with other cargo at terminals. The final transit time depends on the city of origin in China, space availability on the train, and the workload of logistics terminals in Europe—particularly Małaszewicze, which is the main rail hub on the China–Europe route.

 

How much does rail transport from China to Poland cost?

The cost of rail transport depends on several factors, such as the volume of the shipment, its weight and dimensions, the pickup and delivery locations, and the current market situation. In most cases, rail transport is more expensive than sea freight but significantly cheaper than air freight. In practice, rail is often chosen as a compromise between price and delivery time, especially for imports from Asia.

 

What is the minimum quantity of goods for rail LCL?

The minimum volume for LCL groupage transport is usually around 1 CBM (one cubic meter). In such cases, the shipment is consolidated with other cargo in a single container to optimize transport costs. If a customer has a larger volume, it is also possible to book FCL transport—a full container dedicated exclusively to one shipper.

 

Do you handle customs clearance?

Yes – including fiscal clearances with VAT deferment upon import. For companies regularly importing from China, this represents a significant cash-flow saving.

 

What goods are most commonly transported by rail from China to Europe?

The most frequently transported goods by rail include electronics, household appliances, textiles, furniture, industrial machinery, and automotive parts. Rail is ideal for medium to large volume shipments that require faster transport than sea freight but are not urgent enough to require air freight.

Is rail transport part of the New Silk Road?

Yes, most rail connections between China and Europe operate within the China Railway Express network, often referred to as the New Silk Road. Poland plays a crucial logistical role in this system, as a significant portion of freight trains heading from China to EU countries passes through the terminal in Małaszewicze..

 

When is rail transport the best choice?

Rail transport is the best choice when goods travel long distances, such as between China and Europe, and are not urgent enough to justify air freight. it is also an excellent solution for companies that make regular shipments and want to maintain a stable delivery schedule while optimizing transport costs.

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