Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

How should I choose between road transport and rail-road intermodal?

Accepted Answer

Road transport suits cargo needing a clear timeline and door-to-door delivery. Rail-road intermodal uses full containers, has a lower unit cost and suits heavy, bulk or long-cycle stock. Both can be compared for the same shipment.

Question 2

Which border crossings does road transport use?

Accepted Answer

Road transport departs mainly via Khorgos and Alashankou, with Tehran as the main lane. Kashgar serves Tajikistan and Afghanistan; Urumqi is the air gateway.

Question 3

How long does road transport to Tehran take?

Accepted Answer

No fixed transit days are published for Tehran; timing depends on volume, border queues and season. With cargo name, weight or volume and target date, we usually reply with 2–3 options within one working day.

Question 4

What are the transit times to Almaty, Dushanbe and Kabul?

Accepted Answer

Indicative transit times: Almaty 2–4 days, Dushanbe 5–8 days, Kabul 6–10 days. These are estimates affected by clearance, weather and inspections, not guaranteed arrival dates.

Question 5

What are the rail-road transit times to Tashkent and Tehran?

Accepted Answer

Indicative: Tashkent 12–16 days, Tehran 18–24 days, both as full-container rail-to-border plus overseas road. Actual timing depends on train schedules and border conditions.

Question 6

Why is no fixed transit time given for rail-road-rail?

Accepted Answer

Rail-road-rail combines several rail and road legs and follows train schedules, so we give only an indicative range and no fixed arrival date. It suits planned stock and non-urgent cargo.

Question 7

How long does air freight to Kabul take and what can it carry?

Accepted Answer

Urumqi Diwopu Airport to Kabul by air, about 1–3 days including ground handling, suitable for small urgent cargo, samples, documents and spare parts; schedules follow actual booking.

Question 8

How do peak season or border congestion affect transit time?

Accepted Answer

Inspections, holidays and seasonal traffic all affect clearance. We explain current queues at the quotation stage and share milestones during transit; extra time depends on border conditions at that moment.

Question 9

Which destinations suit Khorgos?

Accepted Answer

Khorgos is the main gateway to Kazakhstan with both road and rail. Typical destinations are Almaty, Bishkek and Tashkent; it handles road transport and rail-road intermodal.

Question 10

Can hazardous chemicals be handled via Alashankou?

Accepted Answer

Alashankou supports hazardous and chemical cargo operations with dedicated yards, so dedicated hazardous lanes can be arranged. Please state the category, packaging and qualification needs when enquiring.

Question 11

Where does Kashgar mainly serve?

Accepted Answer

Kashgar serves Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and is one of the more direct road starting points for the Afghan interior; mainly road transport.

Question 12

Which routes operate from Urumqi airport?

Accepted Answer

Urumqi Diwopu International Airport has a Kabul route carrying air cargo and passengers; schedules, capacity and charter arrangements follow actual booking.

Question 13

Can one shipment use two border crossings?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when needed. If a crossing is congested or restricted, the exit channel can be switched; we explain suitable cargo and current queues for each at the quotation stage.

Question 14

Which route is normally used for Iran?

Accepted Answer

Iran can be served by rail-road intermodal to Tehran, while road transport exits via Khorgos or Alashankou and continues by truck. The route is chosen by cargo type and timing needs.

Question 15

Which countries does each of the four gateways cover?

Accepted Answer

Khorgos covers Kazakhstan and deeper Central Asia; Kashgar covers Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan; Alashankou covers the five Central Asian states and Iran (Tehran); Urumqi is the air gateway, currently to Afghanistan.

Question 16

Which documents are usually needed for cross-border road transport?

Accepted Answer

Commonly a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and contract; some categories also need export licences or inspection certificates. The exact list depends on destination and cargo.

Question 17

What documents are needed for hazardous chemicals export?

Accepted Answer

Usually a hazardous packaging certificate, MSDS, dangerous goods declaration and proof of compliant packaging and marking. Documents can be pre-reviewed before dispatch to reduce rejections and delays.

Question 18

Can you pre-review our documents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Certificates of origin, packing lists, hazardous packaging certificates and MSDS can be reviewed before dispatch to catch inconsistencies early and reduce inspections and rejections.

Question 19

What happens if cargo is inspected at the border?

Accepted Answer

Inspection is a normal regulatory step and adds dwell time. We share progress and help supply additional documents; release timing is decided by the border authority.

Question 20

Can high-value cargo be insured?

Accepted Answer

Cargo insurance can be arranged as needed. We advise on coverage and insured value; underwriting and claims follow the insurer's policy terms.

Question 21

Who handles import clearance at destination?

Accepted Answer

It follows the trade terms: commonly we deliver to the destination border or warehouse and the consignee or its agent clears import. Door-to-door with clearance can be quoted separately.

Question 22

What information is needed for a quotation?

Accepted Answer

Cargo name, weight and volume, origin, destination, target timing and any special needs such as temperature control, oversize or hazardous goods. The more complete the details, the more comparable the options.

Question 23

How soon will I get options and pricing?

Accepted Answer

Usually within one working day you receive 2–3 comparable options with gateway, mode and indicative transit time. If details are incomplete we confirm them first.

Question 24

What does the quote include and can extra charges apply?

Accepted Answer

Quotes itemise transport and border handling. Destination clearance, duties, storage and inspection costs are confirmed as incurred, and the billing basis is stated before signing.

Question 25

Can I follow the shipment progress?

Accepted Answer

Milestone updates cover dispatch, border exit, release and arrival. Tracking method and contact person are confirmed together with the option.

Question 26

What is the process after ordering?

Accepted Answer

Seven steps: requirement confirmation, quotation, booking and dispatch, export declaration and inspection, border clearance, overseas transfer and signed delivery receipt. Each step has an owner.

Question 27

Where are you located and how can I reach you?

Accepted Answer

Address: Room 202, Building C, No. 181 Changluo Road, Luotuo Street, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. Phone 15700359719, email allen@earth-logistics.cn.

Question 28

Can we meet in person or by video?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Local meetings in Ningbo can be booked and remote clients can use video calls; after you outline cargo and lane, the relevant colleague takes over.

Question 29

Do you accept small or less-than-truckload shipments?

Accepted Answer

Road transport covers full truckload and less-than-truckload; small urgent shipments suit air. Options depend on volume and destination, and we suggest consolidation or air for small lots.

Question 30

Which languages do you support?

Accepted Answer

The site is available in Chinese, English, Russian, Persian, Dari, Pashto, Uzbek, Kazakh and Tajik; business communication is mainly in Chinese, English and Russian.

Frequently Asked Questions

Solutions & transit times

Ports & routes

Documents & compliance

Pricing & process

Service & contact

Still have questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Solutions & transit times

01How should I choose between road transport and rail-road intermodal?

02Which border crossings does road transport use?

03How long does road transport to Tehran take?

04What are the transit times to Almaty, Dushanbe and Kabul?

05What are the rail-road transit times to Tashkent and Tehran?

06Why is no fixed transit time given for rail-road-rail?

07How long does air freight to Kabul take and what can it carry?

08How do peak season or border congestion affect transit time?

Ports & routes

01Which destinations suit Khorgos?

02Can hazardous chemicals be handled via Alashankou?

03Where does Kashgar mainly serve?

04Which routes operate from Urumqi airport?

05Can one shipment use two border crossings?

06Which route is normally used for Iran?

07Which countries does each of the four gateways cover?

Documents & compliance

01Which documents are usually needed for cross-border road transport?

02What documents are needed for hazardous chemicals export?

03Can you pre-review our documents?

04What happens if cargo is inspected at the border?

05Can high-value cargo be insured?

06Who handles import clearance at destination?

Pricing & process

01What information is needed for a quotation?

02How soon will I get options and pricing?

03What does the quote include and can extra charges apply?

04Can I follow the shipment progress?

05What is the process after ordering?

Service & contact

01Where are you located and how can I reach you?

02Can we meet in person or by video?

03Do you accept small or less-than-truckload shipments?

04Which languages do you support?

Still have questions?