We provide a full range of ground freight services, providing flexible and reliable logistics solutions for your business on both domestic and international routes.
- Geography of transportation: We transport cargo throughout Ukraine and to European countries, providing stable and well-established routes.
- Various types of cargo: We work with all types of cargo, including general, oversized, dangerous, as well as cargo requiring special temperature conditions.
- Full and less-than-truckload transportation: We organize the delivery of both full truckloads (FTL) and less-than-truckloads (LTL) to optimize cost and time.
- Door-to-door delivery: We coordinate the entire transportation process, ensuring direct delivery of cargo from sender to recipient.
- Customs clearance: We provide full support and assistance with the preparation of the necessary customs documentation, ensuring the smooth passage of goods.
- Cargo Tracking: We provide full monitoring of the status of your shipment from the moment of loading to arrival.
- Cargo Insurance: We offer insurance services to protect your cargo from unforeseen risks during transportation. 02
We will find a customized logistics solution for your business.
Contact us for a consultation and a quote.
Freight transportation by rail — international solutions from Unitex
Unitex specializes in international rail freight transportation: import of grain, oil, wood, furniture, windows, confectionery and frozen berries from Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, the USA and Turkey. We provide a full range of services: organization of rail freight transportation, insurance, customs clearance and control at all stages. Our approach is focused on reducing logistics risks and optimizing costs while complying with temperature and certification requirements.
Rail freight transportation: for which cargoes is it suitable?
- Grains and seeds – loading into special grain carriers, humidity control during shipment and reception, use of certified containers.
- Liquids and oil products – tanks with appropriate certificates and leak test, requirements for cleaning before/after the voyage.
- Wood, wood products, furniture and windows – box platforms, container solutions with pallet fixation, protection against moisture and mechanical damage.
- Refrigerated cargo (frozen berries) – multimodal schemes with Refeer containers, cold chain support and real-time temperature monitoring.
- Packaged foods – regulated warehouses, humidity control and sanitary certification upon import.
transportation of goods by rail: stages and composition of work
Stages (organization process)
- Cargo analysis: classification by HS code, dimensions, weight, risks (temperature, flammability, fragility).
- Selection of the optimal route and type of wagon/container, taking into account deadlines and budget.
- Booking of places in wagons/containers and coordination of the schedule with transshipment stations.
- Preparation of documents: bills of lading, certificates of origin, phytosanitary/veterinary certificates, customs declarations (CIM/COTIF where applicable).
- Packaging, marking, fastening and photo recording of the condition before shipment.
- Support during the journey: GPS, temperature control, intermediate inspections, customs procedures and cargo insurance.
- Unloading and delivery to the client’s final warehouse, quality control at the receiving point.
Work composition (what we do)
- Risk assessment and cargo insurance with coverage options for temperature-sensitive goods, including delay and biological risk insurance.
- Selection of the optimal type of wagons and containers (hopper, platform, grain truck, refrigerated container) taking into account the effective use of volume.
- Booking on international trains and coordination with operators (UZ freight, other national operators).
- Customs support, certification and sanitary procedures (phytosanitary certificates, veterinary certificates).
- Logistics support, reporting, optimization of transshipment nodes and reduction of downtime through alternative route options.
international rail freight transportation: route options (table)
| Route | Cargo type | Термін | Переваги |
|---|---|---|---|
| China → Ukraine (Chinese terminals → Kyiv/Lviv) | Containers (electronics, furniture, frozen berries) | 20–30 days | Stable schedule, economical alternative to aviation, direct trains via Belarus/Poland. |
| Europe → Ukraine (Poland/Slovakia → Lviv/Kyiv) | Pallet and general cargo (windows, wood, confectionery) | 3–7 days | Fast delivery, low interstate rates, minimal delays. |
| Turkey/Black Sea Region → Ukraine (multimodal) | Wood, furniture, manufactured goods | 7–14 days | Flexible choice of routes, the ability to combine with the sea for profitable rates. |
| USA/Korea/Japan → Europe → Ukraine (containers + railway) | Oversized and containerized cargo | 30–45 days | Balance of price and time: sea part + fast rail delivery along the Eurocorridors. |
tariffs for freight transportation by rail and the cost of transporting goods by rail
Tariffs are formed by several parameters: weight/volume, type of wagon or container, distance, need for additional services (refrigeration, insurance, customs clearance) and carrier (including freight charges and other operational fees). Unitex prepares a detailed calculation with transparent cost items and alternative routes for comparison.
tariffs for freight transportation by rail: structure and indicators
The cost structure includes: the carrier’s basic tariff, a fee for the type of wagon/container, handling work at stations, port/transshipment fees, customs costs, insurance and additional services (refrigerated support, storage). Unitex provides an applied calculation for each route with a breakdown by items and an explanation of the impact on the total amount.
| Component | What does it include? | Price impact |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier’s base rate | Cost per km/trip, rate per wagon/container | High |
| Manipulation and transshipment | Loading/unloading, transshipment fees | Average |
| Cargo insurance | Risk coverage, separately for refrigeration/temperature risks | Small/medium |
| Customs and certification fees | Customs clearance, product certification, phytosanitary/veterinary confirmations | Depends on the product |
Applied estimate from Unitex: for container shipments from China, we calculate by items – base rate, port charges, multimodal delivery to Ukraine, customs duties and insurance. Specific figures depend on volume, Incoterms and special temperature requirements; for an individual calculation, please contact the Unitex commercial department.
organization of freight transportation by rail: criteria for choosing a carrier
- Availability of international contracts and experience in the direction (Europe, Asia, USA, Turkey).
- Accuracy of delivery terms and tracking system (online tracking, periodic reports).
- Transparency of tariffs and a full list of included services in the commercial offer.
- Possibility of insurance and high-quality customs support.
- Partnership with Ukrzaliznytsia and other national operators (freight transportation Ukrzaliznytsia).
Selection criteria: how to evaluate (quick evaluation checklist)
- Reputation and partners in the sender’s country — 30% of the decision weight.
- Service and availability of insurance — 20%.
- Price and transparency of calculation — 20%.
- Infrastructure and speed of transshipment — 15%.
- Environmental requirements and temperature control — 15%.
freight transportation by rail: comparison with alternatives
| Regime | Cost (guideline) | Термін | Переваги |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railway transportation | Medium/low for large volumes | Stable terms | Cost-effectiveness for large volumes, cargo safety, fewer transhipments |
| Sea transportation | Low for long distances | Long-lasting | Low cost per TEU, but longer delivery time |
| Road transportation | High over long distances | Flexible, short | Good for last mile, fast delivery within the region |
| Aviation | Very high | The fastest | Emergency deliveries, weight restrictions |
The advantages of transporting goods by rail: cost-effectiveness for large volumes, schedule reliability, cargo safety and a smaller carbon footprint compared to air or road transport. For goods with tight delivery times, we offer multimodal solutions to combine speed and cost.
Organization of cargo transportation by rail: checklist before departure
- Check the documentary package (commercial, customs, sanitary documents, HS commodity codes).
- Confirm the reservation of the wagon/container and the date of departure; agree on the time of arrival at the station.
- Packaging and marking in accordance with the requirements of the route, securing the cargo in the container, applying anti-corrosion and moisture-proofing agents.
- Arrange cargo insurance through Unitex, taking into account temperature risks and storage conditions.
- Provide a control seal and photo fixation at the loading stage; prepare instructions for the recipient.
- Plan for backup options in case of downtime or route changes; 24/7 contact person.
- Check the availability of unloading equipment at the receiving station.
International rail transportation: benefits for importers in Ukraine
- Savings per unit of product at high volumes.
- Stability of supply and the ability to build a regular schedule.
- Less risk of damage compared to frequent transshipments.
- Flexible multimodal solutions for specific cargoes (refrigerators, tanks).
- Improved environmental friendliness of the supply chain compared to air or road transport.
Rail freight rates: how to get a quote
To obtain an accurate commercial offer, taking into account the tariffs for freight transportation by rail and the cost of transporting goods by rail, Unitex conducts an analysis of: cargo quantity/volume, routes, type of packaging and the need for additional services. For examples of documents and standards, use our Unitex Handbook, which contains sample forms and recommendations for cargo preparation.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about international rail transportation
What are the delivery times for rail transportation from China? It depends on the route, on average 20–35 days. Unitex selects the optimal trains and multimodal solutions to reduce time.
How is the price for international rail transportation of goods formed? The price includes the carrier’s tariff, the cost of the wagon/container, customs duties, insurance and additional services (cooling, storage). We provide a detailed calculation.
Is separate insurance required for refrigerated cargo? Yes, we recommend insuring separately, taking into account temperature risks; Unitex organizes full coverage and monitoring en route.
Do you work with Ukrzaliznytsia? Yes. We coordinate operations with the national operator and use our experience in freight transportation to optimize routes.
How is the condition of the cargo monitored during transportation? GPS tracking, photo/video recording of loading, regular reports, inspections at transshipment points and temperature monitoring.
Is it possible to combine rail and road deliveries? Yes, we often use multimodal schemes: rail for the main part and road for the last mile, which allows us to optimize cost and time.
Unitex provides a full cycle of freight transportation by rail from tariff calculation to turnkey delivery. Our experience in the Europe-Ukraine, China-Ukraine and other routes allows us to reduce logistical risks and optimize costs. Contact us for individual calculation and route planning.