Rail freight — the smart middle ground
Rail offers the best balance of cost and speed for China-Europe trade. Transit time is roughly half of sea freight, at a fraction of air freight cost. Ideal for mid-weight, mid-value cargo that can't wait a month at sea.
Rail transit times to Europe
| Destination | Main Stations | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇱 Poland | Malaszewicze | 15–18 days |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Hamburg · Duisburg | 16–20 days |
| 🇫🇷 France | Dourges · Paris | 16–20 days |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Rotterdam · Tilburg | 16–20 days |
| 🇬🇧 UK | London Gateway | 18–22 days |
What ships well by rail
- Furniture & home goods — classic rail cargo
- Machinery & auto parts — heavier items that cost too much by air
- Electronics & consumer goods — mid-value products
- Apparel & textiles — time-sensitive fashion lines
- E-commerce / FBA restocks — faster than sea for EU warehouses
Rail vs Sea vs Air — quick comparison
| Mode | Transit | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚢 Sea | 28–38 days | 💰 Lowest | Large volumes, non-urgent |
| 🚂 Rail | 15–20 days | 💰💰 Medium | Mid-size, mid-speed |
| ✈️ Air | 5–9 days | 💰💰💰 Highest | Urgent, high-value |
💡 Rail tip
Rail is a great option for FBA shipments to EU warehouses — 15-20 days gets your stock on shelves much faster than sea, while keeping costs far below air. Ask us about rail DDP options.