Railway transport, as a vital mode of land transportation, holds a significant position in international logistics due to its large capacity, stable delivery times, and minimal susceptibility to weather conditions. Particularly, the launch of the China-Europe freight trains has provided a new logistics corridor for trade across the Eurasian continent. Rail transport primarily operates in two modes: full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL), offering advantages of being faster than sea freight and more cost-effective than air freight.
Key terminology includes: train schedule, railway waybill, border handover, and gauge change operations. Cost components typically comprise base freight charges, border handling fees, and customs clearance fees. It is important to note that rail transport imposes stringent packaging requirements for goods, and differing rail gauges across countries necessitate transshipment operations at border crossings.
Understanding the rail transport policies and requirements of various countries, coupled with strategic scheduling of transit times, can effectively enhance transport efficiency and reduce logistics costs.