China Inspection and Quarantine Times—Recently, a China-Europe freight train loaded with 232 domestically manufactured vehicles from the Greater Bay Area set off from Guangzhou International Port. Following a streamlined customs declaration process, it crossed the border via Manzhouli Port. This marks the first "JSQ" type dedicated China-Europe freight train for commercial vehicles to depart from Guangzhou International Port in 2025, with an estimated arrival in Europe within seven days.
The "JSQ" type train for commercial vehicles, a specialized railway transport solution for commercial vehicles, has become a unique and influential player in the international logistics industry. Equipped with fully enclosed double-decker carriages, each can hold 8 to 12 commercial vehicles, significantly boosting loading efficiency compared to traditional container trains, which typically carry only 2 to 3 vehicles. This design also minimizes the risk of cargo damage during transit. Additionally, the train's through-carriage design allows vehicles to be driven directly onto the train without the need for complex brackets, drastically cutting loading and unloading times.
In recent years, exports of Chinese independent brand vehicles to Belt and Road Initiative countries have surged. Guangdong, a key automobile manufacturing hub in China, has consistently faced high demand for vehicle exports. "Compared to sea freight, the China-Europe freight train offers advantages like shorter transit times and reliable punctuality. The 'JSQ' type train is versatile, accommodating various models, including light buses and SUVs, while ensuring high transportation safety and optimal cargo quality. Automakers no longer need to worry about model restrictions or vehicle conditions during long-distance transport, making the process more reliable," explained Sun Zongqing, a representative from the company handling customs declarations for this shipment.
To facilitate the global expansion of high-quality "Made in the Greater Bay Area" products, Guangzhou Customs, through its Guangzhou Station Customs division, has actively collaborated with train operators and automotive sales companies to address export clearance needs. They provide tailored policy guidance and clearance process support, adopting a "one enterprise, one policy" approach to assist from declaration to release. Furthermore, they have established communication channels with local commerce departments to collectively bolster the automobile export industry.
Since its inauguration on August 4, 2022, the Guangzhou International Port China-Europe freight train hub has launched several landmark services, including the Greater Bay Area's first full-timetable China-Europe freight train, South China's inaugural "JSQ" type China-Europe freight train, and Guangdong's first dedicated new energy vehicle China-Europe freight train. These initiatives have transformed Guangzhou's China-Europe freight trains into a robust network, connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with Eurasia and solidifying its role as a critical international trade corridor. In 2024 alone, Guangzhou Customs oversaw 390 trains, 42,300 standard containers, and goods valued at 10.91 billion RMB passing through the port.
Today, the Guangzhou International Port China-Europe freight train network operates 18 routes (13 outbound and 5 inbound), reaching over 20 countries and more than 40 cities across Western Europe, Eastern Europe, West Asia, and Central Asia. The exported goods range from automobiles and home appliances to clothing and daily necessities, providing over 4,000 foreign trade enterprises with efficient, secure, and stable international logistics solutions. (Chen Ziling)
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of China Inspection and Quarantine Times. The China Inspection and Quarantine Times version shall prevail.