International logistics and transportation between China and Russia usher in new opportunities: Multimodal transport and cross-border e-commerce boost bilateral trade growth

International logistics and transportation between China and Russia usher in new opportunities: Multimodal transport and cross-border e-commerce boost bilateral trade growth

18th February, 2025 in Beijing - As bilateral trade between China and Russia continues to heat up, the leading international logistics transport industry from China to Russia is ushering in new development opportunities. In recent years, the cooperation between the two countries under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union has been deepened, which has promoted the rapid development of various modes of transport such as sea transport, air transport, land transport and multimodal transport. At the same time, the rise of cross-border e-commerce logistics has also injected new vitality into the logistics industry in China and Russia.

Sea and Land transport: The "twin engines" of Sino-Russian logistics

As an important part of Sino-Russian international logistics, maritime transport and land transport play a key role in the trade between the two countries. China's major ports, such as Dalian, Qingdao and Shanghai, have opened a number of direct routes with Russia's Vladivostok, St. Petersburg and other ports, providing an efficient channel for the transportation of commodities (such as energy, machinery and equipment).

At the same time, land transport, especially railway transport, has become another highlight of Sino-Russian logistics. The opening of the China-Europe Express provides a stable and efficient land route for the transport of goods between the two countries. Through the Trans-Siberian Railway, Chinese electronics, consumer goods and machinery can be quickly transported to Russia, while Russian timber, minerals and agricultural products can also enter the Chinese market. According to statistics, China-Russia railway freight volume in 2024 increased by 15% year-on-year, hitting a record high.

Multimodal transport: a new model for improving logistics efficiency

In order to cope with the complex needs of Sino-Russian logistics transport, the multi-modal transport model has gradually become the mainstream of the industry. For example, goods can be transported by sea from Chinese ports to the Russian Far East and then transferred by rail or road to inland cities such as Moscow. This flexible mode of transportation not only shortens the delivery time, but also reduces the logistics cost, and is favored by more and more enterprises.

Cross-border e-commerce logistics: a new growth point of Sino-Russian trade

In recent years, China and Russia have witnessed the vigorous development of cross-border e-commerce, which has led to the rapid growth of cross-border e-commerce logistics. Chinese e-commerce platforms, such as Alibaba and JD.com, provide efficient delivery services to consumers by cooperating with local logistics companies in Russia. Air freight plays an important role in cross-border e-commerce logistics, especially for high-value, time-sensitive goods such as electronics, clothing and cosmetics.

In order to meet the needs of cross-border e-commerce, China and Russia have also made remarkable progress in logistics informatization. By introducing intelligent warehousing systems and real-time logistics tracking technology, companies can better manage inventory and optimize distribution routes, thereby enhancing the customer experience.

Customs clearance and tariffs: Policy support helps smooth logistics

In the Sino-Russian international logistics transportation, customs clearance and customs tariffs are important factors affecting logistics efficiency. In recent years, the customs authorities of the two countries have significantly improved the efficiency of cargo clearance by simplifying the customs clearance process and implementing electronic documents. In addition, the negotiations on the China-Russia free Trade Agreement are also actively advancing, and the future is expected to further reduce tariffs and create more convenient conditions for bilateral trade and logistics transportation.

Green logistics: an important direction of sustainable development

With the global attention to environmental protection, green logistics has become an important development direction of China-Russia international logistics transportation. Logistics companies in China are actively exploring the use of new energy vehicles, optimizing transportation routes and promoting environmentally friendly packaging to reduce the environmental impact of logistics activities. The Russian side is also promoting the sustainable development of the logistics industry by improving the railway electrification network and promoting clean energy.

Future outlook

The rapid development of international logistics and transportation between China and Russia has not only provided strong support for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, but also made important contributions to the stable operation of the global supply chain. In the future, with the further improvement of the multi-modal transport network, the continuous growth of cross-border e-commerce logistics and the in-depth promotion of the concept of green logistics, Sino-Russian logistics cooperation will usher in a broader prospect.