Things to note when shipping international rail to Europe

When choosing to ship goods to Europe via international rail, how can you ensure that the goods arrive at their destination safely and in compliance with regulations? How can you avoid damage and delays during transportation? How should I prepare goods for long-distance transport across continents?

Shipping goods to Europe by rail can be a complex process full of potential challenges. From ensuring the safety of goods to complying with international regulations, there are many factors to consider. This guide will help you resolve these complex issues and ensure a smooth transportation process.

Common pain points for B2B companies shipping goods to Europe

When preparing for cross-border rail transportation, companies often face problems such as inadequate inspection of cargo box conditions, inaccurate weight limits, and insufficient cargo reinforcement. These problems may not only cause transportation delays, but also may lead to serious consequences such as damage to goods and fines. In addition, complex international transportation regulations, changing transportation route options, and cumbersome document preparation processes have caused headaches for many companies.

Main challenges facing international rail transportation

Damage and loss of goods

Due to the long transportation distance, the risk of damage or loss increases.

Regulatory compliance

Complying with international regulations and customs requirements can be time-consuming and complex.

Shipping time

Ensuring timely delivery can be challenging due to factors such as border crossings and weather conditions.

Cost management

Managing transportation costs and maintaining service quality is a constant balancing act.

Solutions to ensure the safe and timely delivery of your goods

1. Check the condition of the container

Before shipping, always carefully check whether the container is suitable for shipping and whether there is any stain, damage or puncture, etc. to ensure the integrity of the container. If any problems are found, the shipment should be refused and the relevant department should be notified immediately to replace or repair the container. Chinadivision ensures that every container is strictly inspected to ensure the safety of the goods. This step is essential to prevent the goods from being lost or damaged during transportation.

2. Comply with weight restrictions

International rail transport has clear weight restrictions for goods, such as a 20-foot container with a weight limit of 21.5 tons and a 40-foot container with a weight limit of 26.5 tons, and no overloading is allowed. Comply with strict weight restrictions to avoid delays, fines and potential safety hazards, and ensure that your goods meet transportation standards.

3. Avoid uneven loading of goods

The center of gravity of the goods should be in the center of the container to avoid uneven loading, prevent movement and damage during transportation, and ensure the safety of railway loading operations and driving. The deviation of the center of gravity of the goods should not exceed 10 cm. Chinadivision's professional loading team will ensure that the goods are evenly distributed to avoid uneven loading. Proper loading can minimize the risk of cargo shifting and ensure the stability of the container.

4. Cargo reinforcement

It is necessary to ensure that the goods are properly reinforced in the container to prevent movement or collision during transportation to ensure the safety of the goods. We provide professional reinforcement services to ensure that your goods are stable during transportation.

5. Clear container numbering

The containers should be clearly numbered and accurately reflected on the packing list for easy tallying and customs inspection. Chinadivision will provide clear numbers and detailed packing lists for each container to facilitate tallying and inspection. Any discrepancies may cause delays or additional inspections by customs authorities.

6. Consistency of Shipping Letter Information

The cargo information filled in the Shipping Letter must be consistent with the actual shipment information and the contents of the waybill, especially the name, weight, volume, etc., to avoid inconsistent freight or fines. We will ensure the consistency of all documents to avoid unnecessary fees and fines. Inconsistencies may result in freight errors, fines or cargo delays.

7. Comply with international railway transportation regulations

Understand and comply with relevant international conventions and regulations such as the "International Railway Freight Transport Agreement" to ensure that the transportation process complies with international legal standards. Chinadivision is familiar with and strictly complies with all relevant regulations to ensure that your goods are transported in compliance with regulations.

8. Cargo packaging and marking

Ensure that the packaging and marking of goods meet the requirements to meet the needs of long-distance rail transportation. We provide a variety of packaging solutions to ensure that your goods are intact during long-distance transportation.

9. Preparation of waybills and related documents

Prepare complete waybills and related documents, including copies of waybills, as the basis for settlement of payment between trading parties and documents for claims against the railway when goods are lost. Avoid customs delays and complications.

Chinadivision will prepare complete transportation documents for you to ensure smooth customs clearance and settlement.

10. Pay attention to the transportation route

China-Europe Express has multiple stable cross-border transportation routes. Understand the characteristics and advantages of different routes and choose the right transportation plan. We will recommend the most suitable transportation route based on factors such as transportation time, cost, and cargo type to ensure that the goods arrive at the destination quickly and safely.

Why choose Chinadivision to meet your international rail freight needs?

Faced with the challenges of cross-border rail transportation, Chinadivision is willing to be your most solid backing. Our professional team will provide you with a full range of customized logistics solutions to ensure that your goods arrive at the European market safely, compliantly and efficiently. Our expertise in international logistics, coupled with our commitment to compliance and customer satisfaction, ensure that your goods are handled with the utmost care and precision.

By entrusting your goods to Chinadivision, you can focus on developing your business while we take care of logistics. If you have any questions or needs about international rail transportation, please feel free to contact Chinadivision. We will wholeheartedly provide you with professional and efficient logistics services to ensure that your goods arrive at the destination safely and on time.