Rail Freight from China to Germany via the New Silk Road
Eva Solutions organizes your rail freight from China to Germany — via the New Silk Road in 14 to 20 days, as a full container (FCL) or a shared container (LCL), including export, customs, and delivery.
- Transit time: around 14–20 days via the New Silk Road
- FCL (full container) and LCL (shared container)
- Arrival at the Duisburg terminal — Europe's largest China hub
- Faster than sea freight, cheaper than air freight
- Full service: pickup, export, consolidation, customs, and delivery
Rail Freight: The Middle Path Between Sea and Air Freight
Rail freight closes the gap between slow sea freight and expensive air freight: for goods that can't wait 30+ days at sea but where a flight is too expensive.
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28–40 days
Sea freight
Cost: low
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14–20 days
Rail freight
Cost: medium
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5–10 days
Air freight
Cost: high
Rail is around two weeks faster than the sea route and considerably cheaper than flying — often the most economical choice for predictable, regular deliveries.
Routes and the New Silk Road
- Routes New Silk Road across Eurasia: via Kazakhstan, Russia, or Mongolia
- Destination terminal Duisburg, Europe's largest inland terminal for China traffic
- Onward transport By rail or parcel carrier to your location in Germany
Rail Freight Transit Time from China to Germany
Main run by train: 14 to 20 days. On top of that:
- Pre-carriage in China: pickup, consolidation, loading at the rail terminal
- Handling in Duisburg, customs clearance in Germany
- Onward transport to your location
Rail freight sits between sea freight (28–40 days) and air freight (5–10 days).
Rail Freight Costs: Prices for Container Transport by Rail
We calculate every shipment individually and disclose all cost items transparently. The figures are for guidance only, not flat rates.
- Price per Container
- Guideline for a 40-foot container: from approx. €2,800, depending on route, capacity and season. Priced between sea freight and air freight.
- Terminal and handling charges
- In China and in Duisburg.
- Customs duties
- 0–12% depending on the goods category.
- Import VAT
- 19% on the customs value plus freight and duty.
- Onward transport
- Delivery to your location.
FCL and LCL by Rail
FCL (Full Container Load)
- A 20- or 40-foot container exclusively for your goods, economical from larger volumes.
LCL (Less than Container Load)
- Container shared with other shipments, billed per cubic meter. Can be combined with our consolidation in China.
- Usually within 24 hours on working days
- A first, non-binding assessment of your project
Our Full-Service Rail Freight
We handle rail freight from the factory in China to delivery in Germany:
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Pickup at the manufacturer
Directly at the manufacturer.
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Consolidation in our warehouse
Partial deliveries combined in our own warehouse in China.
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Export handling
Export handling with our own export license.
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Booking and loading
Container booking and loading at the rail terminal.
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Customs clearance
Customs clearance in Germany.
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Onward transport
Onward transport to your location.
Process: How Your Rail Freight Works with Eva Solutions
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Inquiry and Quote
You give us the type of goods, volume, weight and target date. We check whether rail fits and prepare the quote.
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Pickup and Consolidation
Pickup at the manufacturer or receipt at our warehouse; partial deliveries are bundled.
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Export Handling and Loading
Export handling and loading of the container at the rail terminal in China.
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Rail Transport
Via the New Silk Road to Duisburg, with shipment tracking during transit.
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Customs Clearance in Germany
Customs declaration plus payment of duty and import VAT.
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Delivery
Delivery to your location, e.g. your own warehouse.
Who Rail Freight from China Is For
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Retailers with predictable resupply
Regular deliveries with a fixed lead time.
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Importers under time pressure
Sea freight is too slow, air freight too expensive.
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Amazon sellers
Moderate transit time and cost.
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Companies with mid-size volumes
From around 5 cbm up to a full container.
Eva Solutions for Your Rail Freight from China
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Our Own Office in China
Native-speaking staff, our own export license, and a team on the ground — direct handling without intermediaries.
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Consolidation in Our Own Warehouse
Partial deliveries from different manufacturers in one rail shipment — cuts costs, simplifies customs.
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Rail Freight and Customs from One Source
From booking through export to customs clearance in Germany — one point of contact.
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Office and team in Germany
Our office in Waldrach, Germany (Naga Technologies GmbH) — also our contact and service address. Reachable during German business hours, with personal advice and transparent handling.
Four locations in China
Offices and warehouses in the north and south of China – where we collect and check goods and prepare them for export.
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Harbin
Head office and warehouse
Logistics park in Harbin where our warehouse is located
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Guangzhou
Office and warehouse
Guangzhou: the building that houses our warehouse
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Shenzhen
Office and warehouse
Shenzhen: the building that houses our office and warehouse
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Sanya
Office, IT and technology
Yazhou Bay Science & Technology City in Sanya, home to our office
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does rail freight from China to Germany take?
The main run by train takes 14–20 days. With pre-carriage in China, handling in Duisburg, customs, and delivery, you should plan a little more. Rail thus sits between sea freight (28–40 days) and air freight (5–10 days).
What does rail freight from China to Germany cost?
As a guideline, a 40-foot container by rail starts from approx. €2,800, depending on route, capacity, and season. On top come terminal charges, customs, import VAT, and onward transport. We prepare a precise calculation on request.
When is rail freight worth it instead of sea or air freight?
When goods can't wait 30+ days at sea but a flight is too expensive. Rail is around two weeks faster than sea freight and considerably cheaper than air freight — ideal for predictable, regular deliveries.
Which route does the train take from China to Germany?
The trains run via the New Silk Road through Kazakhstan, Russia, or Mongolia and end at the Duisburg terminal, the largest European hub for China traffic.
Can I ship FCL and LCL by rail?
Yes. You book a full container (FCL) or a shared container (LCL), billed per cubic meter. LCL can be combined with our consolidation in China.
How reliable is the New Silk Road?
The rail connection runs regularly, though individual routes can shift depending on the situation. We plan the pre-carriage accordingly and coordinate the right route — or switch to sea or air freight if needed.
Can Eva Solutions bundle multiple suppliers into one rail shipment?
Yes. We consolidate partial deliveries from different factories in our warehouse in China and ship them bundled by rail — one shipment, one customs declaration.
Does Eva Solutions offer shipment tracking?
Yes. You receive a tracking number and follow the status of your rail shipment all the way to Duisburg.
Request rail freight from China
Tell us the type of goods, volume, and target date — we'll check whether rail is the right choice and calculate your rail freight transparently.
Need every detail in one place? Download the questionnaire, fill it in and send it to contact@versendex.de.
Planning a project in China?
Send us your enquiry with the product, quantity and destination. We'll work out which steps you need and come back to you with a proposal.