💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Russia is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
📋 Service Details
China to Russia Rail Freight — how the lane runs
Rail Freight into Russia runs through Vladivostok, Vostochny, Novorossiysk. Clearance is by Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime) and typical dwell before release is 3–10 days.
Russia is served three ways from China and the choice matters more here than anywhere else: Vladivostok by sea in under a week then rail west, direct block trains through Manzhouli or Zabaikalsk to Moscow in about 14–20 days, or the long Suez routing to St Petersburg. Rail and Far East capacity are both frequently oversubscribed, so book earlier than the transit time alone would suggest.

Route facts
| Destination country | Russia |
|---|---|
| Region | Europe |
| Mode | Rail Freight |
| Gateways used | Vladivostok, Vostochny, Novorossiysk |
| Transit, China to gateway | Vladivostok 3–7 days; St Petersburg 40–55 days via Suez |
| Clearance / dwell | 3–10 days |
| Peak season | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Moscow — the largest consumer market and distribution centre. Via SVO air / Manzhouli rail; inland leg +1 day. Rail Freight guide →
- China to St Petersburg — northern port city and second market. Via LED air / St Petersburg sea; inland leg same day. Rail Freight guide →
- China to Vladivostok — Far East port and the shortest sea lane from China. Via VVO air / Vladivostok sea; inland leg same day. Rail Freight guide →
- China to Novosibirsk — Siberian commercial hub on the rail corridor. Via OVB air / Manzhouli rail; inland leg same day. Rail Freight guide →
- China to Yekaterinburg — Urals industrial and logistics centre. Via SVX air / Manzhouli rail; inland leg +1 day. Rail Freight guide →
- China to Kazan — Volga region manufacturing city. Via KZN air / Manzhouli rail; inland leg +1 day. Rail Freight guide →
- China to Krasnodar — southern agricultural and trade centre. Via KRR air / Novorossiysk sea; inland leg +1 day. Rail Freight guide →
- China to Khabarovsk — Far East regional capital. Via KHV air / Vladivostok sea; inland leg +1 day. Rail Freight guide →
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ℹ️ Additional Information
What Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime) will ask for
VAT 20%; EAEU common external tariff, typically 0–20%, plus recycling and excise levies on some categories. The de-minimis position is EUR 200 for personal parcels under EAEU rules.
Conformity: EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union; Russian-language labelling required.
Known friction points: Export-control and sanctions screening is essential — dual-use goods, electronics and machinery require careful classification and counterparty checks before shipment. EAC certification and Russian labelling are mandatory. Payment routing should be confirmed before booking.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Rail consignment note (CIM/SMGS)
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them

Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Russia
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime) or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to Russia — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | Vladivostok, Vostochny, Novorossiysk |
|---|---|
| Main air gateways | SVO (Moscow Sheremetyevo), DME (Moscow Domodedovo), LED (St Petersburg) |
| Destination customs authority | Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime) |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | EUR 200 for personal parcels under EAEU rules |
| Import tax & duty regime | VAT 20%; EAEU common external tariff, typically 0–20%, plus recycling and excise levies on some categories |
| Local currency | RUB |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 3–10 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union; Russian-language labelling required |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Rail Route
This page covers a Rail freight service from China to Russia. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Carton Packing Calculator
Dimensional weight often decides the final air rate to Russia. Simulate your carton fill in 3D, including mixed products in one box, and export the packing plan for your supplier.
Open Packing Tool →3D Container Loading Planner
Wondering whether your cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ for this Russia route? The 3D container planner simulates cartons, crates, pallets, and even mixed box sizes in one container.
Open Container Planner →✅ Russia Rail Freight Checklist
- Keep single cartons under 30 KG for air handling to Russia to avoid overweight surcharges.
- Label every carton with destination, carton number, and total count (e.g. 3/12).
- Book 2-3 days before your target ETD; same-day air bookings usually carry premium rates.
- Shrink-wrap and corner-protect cartons — air cargo is transloaded multiple times.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Rail DDP Door-to-Door from China to Russia take?
Rail freight on this route runs about 18–28 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 3–10 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Russia?
Clearance is handled by Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime). The regime is: VAT 20%; EAEU common external tariff, typically 0–20%, plus recycling and excise levies on some categories, with a de-minimis position of EUR 200 for personal parcels under EAEU rules. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
Which ports or airports does this route use into Russia?
Sea cargo to Russia clears through Vladivostok, Vostochny, Novorossiysk; air freight clears via SVO (Moscow Sheremetyevo), DME (Moscow Domodedovo), LED (St Petersburg). We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to Russia?
Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into Vladivostok, Vostochny, Novorossiysk. Surcharges apply.
What certification is needed to import into Russia?
For regulated goods, plan for: EAC conformity mark valid across the Eurasian Economic Union; Russian-language labelling required. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common clearance hold with Federal Customs Service of Russia (EAEU regime), so confirm requirements for your HS code before shipping.
In what currency is this route priced and paid?
Freight is quoted and invoiced in USD; the destination-side currency is RUB. Payment is typically due before departure, and DDP means you settle the full landed cost once.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Russia
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Moscow SVO air / Manzhouli rail inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- St Petersburg LED air / St Petersburg sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Vladivostok VVO air / Vladivostok sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Novosibirsk OVB air / Manzhouli rail inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Yekaterinburg SVX air / Manzhouli rail inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Kazan KZN air / Manzhouli rail inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Krasnodar KRR air / Novorossiysk sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Khabarovsk KHV air / Vladivostok sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
Shipping Russia cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Locks & Safes Fire, Safety & Traffic Products
- Salon Furniture Beauty, Personal Care & Wellness
- Pet Products Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Umbrellas Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Private Label Products E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Bolts Metal Products & Industrial Components
- CNC Machines General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Industrial Furnaces General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Solar Inverter New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Energy Storage System New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Building Materials Building Materials & Construction Products
- Construction Hardware Building Materials & Construction Products
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.
