RAIL FREIGHT, MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT

THE ESSENCE OF MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT

When planning cooperation with a counterparty from Central Asia, the Caucasus, it is worth considering the option of multimodal transport, i.e. using several types of transport. With this scheme, the goods are transshipped from one transport unit to another: e.g. from truck to wagon then again to the truck.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

As a rule, on the route “Europe-East”, the following option turns out to be profitable for our Clients:

truck (FTL or LTL) or container (so-called “short sea”) delivery to the transshipment terminal at the eastern border of Poland and in the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia), Belarus, Ukraine with access to the broad gauge (1520mm). We often consolidate goods from different European countries if the Consignee buys different goods from Europe.

After delivery to the terminal, we load the goods onto broad-gauge wagons/containers properly securing them. The wagon/container travels by broad-gauge railway to the destination station, where, as a rule, it is the Consignee who is responsible for unloading, import customs clearance and delivery of goods directly to his warehouse. If European exporters ask for advice, we do not advise them to choose such terms of delivery according to which the Consignor is responsible for delivery to the Consignee’s door and taking care of import clearance. The Consignee will definitely handle this task better, being there, knowing the laws and rules in his country, city, station.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES, WHY RAILWAY TRANSPORT?

In the case of shipments to the East, multimodal rail transport has a lot of advantages over road transport:

• more attractive in price,
• high load capacity of wagons,
• less dependence on weather conditions, road quality,
• less noticeable “human” factor,
• the railway is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,
• no seasonal fluctuations in the railway tariff.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RAIL FREIGHT FORWARDER?

When choosing a transport company, it is worth paying attention to experience in transportation and transshipment of a similar group of goods, due to the knowledge of regulations regarding the transport of e.g. dangerous, phytosanitary, veterinary, very delicate goods, etc.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF WAGONS?

The range of covered broad-gauge wagons is not as large as European ones, however you can choose the most suitable type for optimal distribution of goods. Some of the wagons are a remnant of the joint park of the former Soviet Union. These wagons are still used on a state basis, i.e. the rail freight contains a rental fee. For 10 years there are also existing private wagons that are owned by cargo owners, freight forwarders and logistics operators. Therefore, the activity of rail freight forwarder involves, among others, choosing the right type of wagon and its rental to carry your load.

For bulk cargoes, other types of wagons are used, e.g. open wagons or platforms for wood, metal; silo for grain, malt, fertilizers; open wagons and platforms for oversized cargo, tanks for liquids. Rolling stock, as with covered wagons, can be state or private.

CONCERNS ABOUT TRANSSHIPMENT

Clients’ greatest concerns are often related to transshipment, so when choosing rail freight forwarder and transshipment terminal, their competences should be carefully checked.

How and where do we transship you can read here.

WHAT WILL BRING ADDITIONAL CALM?

Additional calm is ensured by Cargo insurance throughout the entire shipment route. The institutional clause A has the widest scope, in addition to transport risk, it also includes the risk of storage.

Tracking systems for wagons, trucks, containers allow you to be up to date and prepare for unloading and import clearance.

CHOOSING THE PLACE OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

 When exporting goods to third countries, the question of export customs clearance appears. It is worth remembering that when planning each shipment, you should specify the place of clearance, as there are different requirements for exporters, consignees, Customs Offices, etc.

Customs clearance can be done anywhere in the European Union, however, as the rail freight forwarder, we advise to do it in the country of residence of the exporter, so that there will be no difficulties with proving the export of the goods later.

The customs clearance can be done near the place of loading, at the customs agency known for years, but this option has weak points: if the loading is prolonged, the truck will have to wait until the morning of the next business day, as customs offices inside the country are closing earlier unlike border customs offices. The EX1 fee is charged for each truck, and the truck freight is also usually increased due to the need to travel and stop at the place of customs clearance.

Therefore, when shipping a wagon or container we advise you to make customs clearance at a border customs agency. At each border crossing point we cooperate with proven customs agencies. Each of these agencies will help in obtaining the EORI exporter number, register the company in the PDR system, issue a customs declaration (EX1, T1), certificates of origin, help in the selection of customs codes.