How to Break Through the Logistics Bottleneck Through Rail Freight?

Rail Transport and Rail Intermodal are gradually becoming important choices for B2B companies and e-commerce sellers. However, many companies still face many pain points when choosing rail transport. How to efficiently, safely and economically transport goods to all parts of the world has become a problem that companies urgently need to solve.

Cross-border logistics costs have soared by 30%, sea freight congestion and delays are frequent, and air freight prices are unattainable-is your supply chain experiencing these challenges? The timeliness of the China-Europe Express was suddenly delayed by two weeks, the customs clearance documents were returned 3 times, and the container was stranded at the border station. Are you helpless?

Railway combined transport is gradually becoming the new favorite in the field of international logistics with its unique advantages. This article will focus on the hot topics related to Rail Transport, and analyze the process, advantages, challenges and solutions of rail transport in detail to help you optimize your logistics strategy.

Why choose rail transport?

The importance of rail transport in global logistics is becoming increasingly prominent, especially in the context of low-carbon environmental protection and sustainable development. Rail transport can not only carry a large amount of goods, but also significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Compared with sea transport, rail freight has a shorter transportation time. Although large-volume cargo transportation is usually more expensive than sea transport, rail transport is cost-effective for medium-sized goods that need to be delivered faster. Rail transport is an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, and its carbon dioxide emissions are much lower than air or road transport. Compared with other modes of transportation, rail freight is safer and has a lower theft rate.

Advantages and Disadvantages of International Rail Transport

Advantages

Low-carbon and environmental protection: The carbon emissions of rail transport are much lower than those of road transport, which helps companies achieve sustainable development goals. Carbon emissions are only 1/50 of air transport, which meets the requirements of the EU carbon tariff (CBAM).

Large volume: Rail freight can carry a large amount of goods and is suitable for large-scale transportation. At the same time, it can undertake a variety of sensitive items, such as live items, liquids, etc.

Reliability: Rail transport is less affected by weather and can provide more stable transportation services. Strategic security alternative, avoiding sudden risks in key sea transportation choke points such as the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal.

Stable timeliness: Railway transportation has high accuracy and continuity, and can basically provide stable logistics timeliness. The China-Europe Railway Express achieves a door-to-door timeliness of 12-18 days.

Low cost: Railway transportation costs are much lower than sea and air transportation, which helps to reduce the logistics costs of enterprises. Compared with air transportation, it saves 60% of costs and reduces capital occupation costs by 20% compared with sea transportation.

Disadvantages

Lack of flexibility: Railway transportation routes are fixed and not as flexible as road transportation. Currently, it mainly serves Europe and the Middle East, and other regions are not available for postal services.

Infrastructure restrictions: Railway transportation requires a complete railway network and logistics center support.

Slow logistics timeliness: The overall signing timeliness is long, which may not be the best choice for companies pursuing fast delivery.

Complex transit: Some goods need to be transited multiple times, which increases the complexity of management and operation.

What are the main aspects of the process and operation of international railway combined transportation?

Goods receiving: According to the type and quantity of goods, choose the appropriate packaging and transportation method to ensure that the goods are not damaged during transportation. And the goods are transported from the place of shipment to the railway logistics center by road.

Document preparation: Prepare the documents required for transportation, including bills of lading, invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, insurance policies, etc.

Railway transportation: Goods are transported to the destination logistics center by rail.

Customs clearance procedures: Handle export customs clearance procedures to ensure that the goods meet the import requirements of the destination country.

Road distribution: Goods are transported from the railway logistics center to the end customer by road.

Chinadivision provides full-process cargo tracking services to ensure the safe delivery of goods. After the goods are transferred, the verification form, customs declaration form and other documents are returned in time, and returned to the customer according to the freight settlement.

What documents are required to send goods by rail?

Transport power of attorney: clarify the entrustment relationship between the consignor and the agent.

Customs declaration power of attorney and inspection power of attorney: used to handle customs declaration and inspection procedures.

Customs declaration form: detailed information on imported and exported goods for customs inspection.

Contract, packing list and invoice: prove the authenticity of the transaction and the value of the goods and detailed packaging information of the goods.

Commodity inspection and delivery note: prove that the goods have been inspected and meet the export requirements.

What types of goods are transported by rail?

Truckload cargo transportation: Applicable to goods whose weight, volume or shape require separate loading of one or more vehicles.

Less-than-load cargo transportation: Applicable to goods whose weight is less than 5,000 kilograms and whose volume does not require separate loading of trucks.

Large-tonnage container transportation: Applicable to goods loaded in large-tonnage containers or empty containers.

Chinadivision International Fulfillment Service Provider Solution

As a professional international fulfillment service provider, Chinadivision is committed to providing you with a full range of railway freight solutions. We have rich experience in international railway combined transport and can provide you with the following services:

Customized logistics solutions: Tailor-made the most suitable railway freight solutions according to your specific needs.

Full-process tracking and monitoring: Provide real-time cargo tracking services to ensure the safe and timely delivery of goods.

One-stop customs declaration service: Assist you to complete the cumbersome procedures such as customs declaration and inspection to ensure the smooth customs clearance of goods.

Diversified cargo type support: Whether it is full truckload, LTL or large-tonnage container, we can provide professional transportation services.

Low-carbon logistics solutions: help you achieve sustainable development goals.

In the face of increasingly fierce international market competition, choosing an efficient, economical and stable railway freight method will be a key step in improving your corporate competitiveness. If you have any questions or needs about railway freight, please feel free to contact Chinadivision International Fulfillment Service Provider. We will wholeheartedly provide you with professional answers and high-quality services to help you sail in the global market!