Shipping freight from Russia to China

Below are 7 alternatives for shipping cargo from Russia to China by rail, sea, road and air transport. The fastest route, unsurprisingly, involves air transport and is expected to take about 7 days, including pre-carriage and last mile delivery. Unfortunately, it also appears to be the most expensive and least environmentally friendly shipping alternative.

The cheapest shipping alternative is by rail and has estimated transit time of about 53 days. The most environmentally friendly alternative involves rail transport and offers estimated transit time of 25 days. Transport costs involved in this delivery solution also appear to be on a feasible level.

1. Most economical shipping alternative between Russia and China

Moscow
Moskva-Tovarnaya-SmolenskayaRUMOSrail yard
NovorossiyskRUNOVrail yard
NovorossiyskRUNVSport
2 transshipmentst/s
ShanghaiCNSGHport
Shanghai

The cheapest way to ship cargo from Russia to China is to deliver by truck from Moscow to Moskva-Tovarnaya-Smolenskaya rail yard, transfer to wagon and deliver by rail to Novorossiysk rail yard, then transfer to vessel and ship to Shanghai port, then deliver by road to final destination in Shanghai. The route's total transit time is estimated at around 53 days, including loading and unloading operations at transshipment points.

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Freight rate index: 4 888
Transit time estimate: 52.65 days
CO2 emission index: 3 077

2. Another shipping alternative from Russia to China

Moscow
Sankt-PeterburgRULEDport
3 transshipmentst/s
ShanghaiCNSGHport
Shanghai

One other way to transport cargo from Russia to China is to deliver by truck from Moscow to St-Petersburg port, transfer to vessel and ship to Shanghai port, then deliver by road to final destination in Shanghai. The route's total transit time is estimated at around 53 days, including loading and unloading operations at origin and destination as well as terminal handling at transit terminals.

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Freight rate index: 5 608
Transit time estimate: 52.8 days
CO2 emission index: 4 772

3. Fastest shipping alternative between Russia and China excluding air freight

MoscowShanghai

Without use of air transport, the quickest shipping route from Russia to China is by using road transport for the entire route. While road freight is less common for such long distances, it appears to be a viable shipping alternative in this particular scenario. The route's total transit time is estimated at around 18 days, including loading and unloading operations at origin and destination.

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Freight rate index: 14 865
Transit time estimate: 17.5 days
CO2 emission index: 13 517

4. Alternative shipping solution from Russia to China with possible lead time advantage

Moscow
Moskva-Tovarnaya-SmolenskayaRUMOSrail yard
1 transshipmentt/s
LinyiCNLINrail yard
Shanghai

One other shipping approach from Russia to China is to deliver by truck from Moscow to Moskva-Tovarnaya-Smolenskaya rail yard, transfer to wagon and deliver by rail to Linyi rail yard, then deliver by road to final destination in Shanghai. The route's total transit time is estimated at around 25 days, including loading and unloading operations at origin and destination as well as terminal handling at transit terminals.

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Freight rate index: 6 008
Transit time estimate: 25.3 days
CO2 emission index: 1 356

5. Another shipping alternative between Russia and China

Moscow
NovorossiyskRUNVSport
2 transshipmentst/s
NantongCNNTGport
Shanghai

One other way to transport cargo from Russia to China is to deliver by truck from Moscow to Novorossiysk port, transfer to vessel and ship to Nantong port, then deliver by road to final destination in Shanghai. The route's total transit time is estimated at around 47 days, including loading and unloading operations at origin and destination as well as terminal handling at transit terminals.

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Freight rate index: 6 746
Transit time estimate: 47.2 days
CO2 emission index: 5 596

6. Fastest shipping alternative from Russia to China

Moscow
DomododevoRUDMEairport
2 transshipmentst/s
PudongCNPVGairport
Shanghai

The quickest method for shipping from Russia to China is to deliver by truck from Moscow to Domododevo airport, load to aircraft and deliver by air to Pudong airport, then deliver by road to final destination in Shanghai. The route's total transit time is estimated at around 7 days, including loading and unloading operations at origin and destination as well as terminal handling at transit terminals.

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Freight rate index: 74 131
Transit time estimate: 6.8 days
CO2 emission index: 62 323

7. Shipping alternative between Russia and China with lowest estimated emissions

Moscow
Moskva-Tovarnaya-SmolenskayaRUMOSrail yard
1 transshipmentt/s
ChifengCNCHIrail yard
Shanghai

The most environmentally friendly shipping method from Russia to China is to deliver by truck from Moscow to Moskva-Tovarnaya-Smolenskaya rail yard, transfer to wagon and deliver by rail to Chifeng rail yard, then deliver by road to final destination in Shanghai. The route's total transit time is estimated at around 25 days, including loading and unloading operations at origin and destination as well as terminal handling at transit terminals.

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Freight rate index: 6 001
Transit time estimate: 25.3 days
CO2 emission index: 1 357

Statistical Overview: Russia and China – Demographics, Trade and Transport

Russia is located in Eastern Europe and has a population of 143 million people. Russia's main export product categories are fuels, mining products, agricultural products and chemicals. China belongs to Eastern Asia and its population is approximately 1.4 billion. China is one of the world's top countries by GDP. It is also among leading importers by value of imported goods. China's main import products are machinery, transport equipment, fuels, mining products and agricultural products.

Transport infrastructure and shipping connectivity

Russia logistics network

Russia is fairly well connected by sea and regularly serviced by major shipping companies. It has one of the largest rail infrastructures in the world and relies heavily on rail freight transport. A modefate amount of air freight exists in Russia's freight traffic.

China logistics network

China has outstanding connectivity by sea and frequently serviced by many sea carriers. Its rail infrastructure is among largest in the world and rail freight plays important role in country's cargo traffic. There is relatively large amount of air freight in China's cargo traffic.