由 lltx1822 China-Germany Rail (China-Europe Express): Notes and Strategies
China-Europe rail prioritizes schedule reliability. The Chengdu-Duisburg route takes 14 days, but winter (December-February) sees 2-day average delays in Poland. Oversized cargo needs special wagon reservations 4 weeks in advance.
German customs require EUR.1 certificates for duty exemption. A Zhejiang auto parts exporter saved €8,000 via correct EUR.1 filing. Electronics must have CE marking and EU RoHS compliance.
Vibration-resistant packaging is key: use spring-loaded mounts for machinery and shock sensors for fragile goods. Duisburg’s rail-yard transshipment requires stackable containers.
Partner with DB Schenker for last-mile delivery and customs brokerage. Insurance should cover Alpine tunnel delays and cross-border theft.