File photos: ThePaper

How many steps are needed to take a China-Europe freight train in or out of the border? Let’s visit Manzhouli Station, the largest land border station in China, to find out the answer.

With the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, border management has become stricter, and international logistics face great obstacles. However, Manzhouli Station is devoted to building an international logistical “golden passage”, trying its best to keep the China-Europe freight train running smoothly. Staff of Manzhouli station cooperate with both Chinese and Russian customs, ensuring everything is in order.

There are approximately six steps for the China-Europe freight train getting in or out of the border.

To provide you a better reading experience, some details are left out.

Step 1

Coming in: Accept border inspection.

Going out: Link up the train with the standard track in the receiving-departure yard.

Step 2

Coming in: Link up the train with the broad track in the receiving-departure yard.

Going out: Staff inspect the lead seal and container lock point. 

Step 3

Coming in: The international intermodal transfer office conducts an electronic bill transfer.

Going out: If no problems are reported, the China-Europe freight train gets ready at the marshalling yard.

Step 4

Coming in: The China-Europe freight train is sent to the container changing yard.

Going out: The international intermodal transfer office conducts an electronic bill transfer.

Step 5

Coming in: The train is reloaded at the container changing yard.

Going out: The train is sent to the inspection yard for inspection.

Step 6

Coming in: After loading up, the China-Europe freight train is grouped and departs for various destinations.

Going out: The China-Europe freight train leaves the border as Russia confirms acceptance.

With the help of the digital customs clearance system, the Manzhouli Station sends the information directly to the terminals of each department. The system largely shortens the time on retention and promotes the efficiency of bill transfers and customs clearance.

At the same time, to ensure everything runs well, they optimize the process, such as cooperations across departments, management of staff and machines, direction, and strengthen the capability of the broad track in the receiving-departure yard.

The key to the Manzhouli Station’s success is optimization, efficiency, and safety.

On the night shift of May 12, a new record of loading and unloading quantity was achieved with a total of 679 standard containers—365 loaded and 314 unloaded.

May 29 marked another record on the one-day express acceptance of 20 Russian heavy mine express trains.

In the first five months this year, 1,181 trains passed the Chinese border through the Manzhouli Station. The Manzhouli Station saw a total of 105,656 standard containers, with daily transactions up to 7.5 trains, which sets a new record.

By June 11, a total of 7.16 million tons of commodities had been imported through the Manzhouli Station, with a 256,200-ton increase over the same period last year, and a year-on-year growth of 4%. The Manzhouli Station has greatly contributed to the stability of the international industrial and supply chains.

（Compiled by Mei Yibo）