Zhengzhou is a mature Central Plains rail hub with a stable westbound schedule. Cargo to Iran exits via Khorgos or Alashankou, crosses Kazakhstan, and enters through the Turkmen borders or the Aktau–Anzali Caspian service. It clears at Aprin dry port in Tehran. Block-train transit is 28–35 days door to door.
Former ocean cargo has moved onto land corridors after the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, and China-Europe Railway Express volume is up at the same time. Slots and wagons on the Iran lanes are short. Book three to four weeks earlier than usual and keep a buffer on the delivery date; we state the current queue on each corridor when you enquire.
Zhengzhou's rail platform serves the Central Plains industrial base — machinery, auto parts, building materials and general trade goods — and its schedule to the west has been steady for years. For Iran, cargo loaded here exits at Khorgos (or Alashankou), crosses Kazakhstan, and enters Iran either through Sarakhs or Incheh Borun, or via the Aktau–Anzali Caspian service. Import clearance is at Aprin dry port in Tehran.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lane | Zhengzhou → Tehran (Aprin dry port), Iran |
| Corridors | Sarakhs / Incheh Borun / Aktau–Anzali Caspian service |
| Exit border | Khorgos / Alashankou (chosen by sailing) |
| Transit | 28–35 days door to door (moves with the border queue) |
| Gauge changes | Standard to broad at China–Kazakhstan; broad to standard at Turkmen–Iran |
| Equipment | 20GP / 40GP / 40HQ; SOC containers on request |
| Clearance | Import customs clearance at Aprin dry port, Tehran. DAP or DDP |
| Origins served | Central China, north China and the Central Plains |
All rail through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, gauge change at Sarakhs, then via Mashhad to Tehran. No sea leg.
Sarakhs in detail →Entry through Akyayla (Etrek) and Incheh Borun. The relief valve when Sarakhs queues.
Incheh Borun in detail →Rail to Aktau, then the Caspian service to Anzali, and on to Tehran. Fits northern Iran destinations.
Caspian service in detail →| Cost item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Zhengzhou domestic leg | Pickup, stuffing and lashing, export declaration, terminal charges |
| Linehaul | Rail freight, transit charges and gauge-change handling |
| Sea leg | Only on the Caspian corridor: port handling and a ferry or liner slot |
| Container | COC hire, or SOC positioning and return |
| Iran | Clearance fee, duty and VAT, inspection, final delivery |
Send the origin, commodity, volume, equipment and delivery address; what comes back is a rate breakdown that can be executed that week.
Operating transit is 28–35 days door to door, moving with the departure schedule and the border queue. We state the current figure at booking.
Yes. We pick up from the surrounding region and from coastal cities where it makes sense, then load at the Zhengzhou terminal.
Part-loads are consolidated in the Xi'an LCL base and leave on the Iran LCL service. See LCL to Tehran.