Germany is the largest destination for China–Europe rail freight, and the two main arrival terminals are Duisburg (Germany's largest inland rail hub) and Hamburg (port + rail). We run full-timetable and conventional block trains from Xi'an and other hubs, then clear and distribute across Germany. Timetable transit is 14–18 days.
Germany is where most China–Europe rail cargo ends up, and for good reason: Duisburg and Hamburg are connected to the whole EU by road, rail and barge. Cargo leaves Xi'an (and other hubs) at Alashankou or Khorgos, crosses Kazakhstan, Belarus and Poland, enters the EU at Malaszewicze, and runs on to Duisburg or Hamburg.
The choice of terminal matters. Duisburg is the largest inland rail hub in Germany, best for onward road or barge distribution into Germany, the Benelux and beyond. Hamburg is a port and rail hub, good for north Germany and where a second ocean leg is needed.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lane | China → Germany (Duisburg / Hamburg) |
| Product | Full-timetable and conventional block trains |
| Exits | Alashankou / Khorgos · Malaszewicze (EU entry) |
| Transit | Timetable 14–18 days; conventional about 16–22 days |
| Equipment | 20GP / 40GP / 40HQ / SOC |
| Clearance | Export declaration in China; German import clearance via our agents. DAP or DDP |
| Duisburg | Hamburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Largest inland rail hub in Germany | Port + rail hub |
| Best for | Onward road or barge distribution across Germany, Benelux and the EU | North Germany, and where a second ocean leg is needed |
| Transit | Xi'an–Duisburg about 16–18 days (timetable) | Zhengzhou–Hamburg about 14–16 days (timetable) |
We quote both against your delivery address and show the onward leg, so the terminal choice is made on total cost and transit, not on the rail rate alone.
As an EU member, Germany applies EU import rules: an EORI number for the importer, a T1 transit for movement under bond, and duty and VAT assessed on import. The most common cause of a hold is a document mismatch — the invoice, packing list and customs value must agree.
For the full scope, see rail freight customs clearance.
14–18 days door to door on the full-timetable trains (Zhengzhou–Hamburg about 14–16, Xi'an–Duisburg about 16–18). Conventional trains run about 16–22 days.
Duisburg for onward distribution across Germany, the Benelux and the EU by road or barge. Hamburg for north Germany, or where you need a second ocean leg. We quote both against your delivery address.
Yes. Export declaration in China, T1 transit and EORI are handled with our German agents; DAP or DDP door-to-door can both be arranged.