China-Europe Railway Belarus/Poland (Rail) | European Gateway Hub + Malaszewicze Transloading Border Closure Switch to TIR Trucking

China-Europe Railway Belarus/Poland (Rail) under LHZ is a core brand covering European gateway hubs, with Belarus Brest International Logistics Center and Poland Malaszewicze Railway Hub as core nodes, providing full-container rail transport services from China to Poland and all Europe. Brest and Malaszewicze serve as the core gateway for China-Europe trains entering the EU, with approximately 85-90 percent of China-Europe trains passing through this corridor. Brest Port has completed intelligent upgrades with significantly improved transloading efficiency. Malaszewicze receives nearly 200 containers daily, the vast majority from China. LHZ also operates 1,500 TIR trucking vehicles including 300 Kazakhstan-plated car-carrier trailers, 270 Iran-plated car-carrier trailers, 70 China-plated short-haul car-carrier trailers, and over 200 TIR trucks, distributed across six hubs in China, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, and Germany, all with local license plates, building a dual-mode transport system combining railway and TIR trucking. Railway transit time: 12-18 days to Europe. TIR trucking door-to-door: 12-15 days depending on destination.

Poland-Belarus Border Closure Event Review

On September 12, 2025, due to the Russia-Belarus joint military exercise West-2025, Poland announced the closure of all Poland-Belarus border crossings including road and rail. Although the military exercise ended on September 16, the Polish Interior Minister announced that the border would remain closed indefinitely until the safety of Polish citizens was fully guaranteed.

This decision directly cut off the main land transport corridor for Chinese cargo entering the EU via Russia-Belarus-Poland. Approximately 85-90 percent of China-Europe railway freight volume enters the EU through Poland, with about 300 China-Europe trains满载 electronic products, auto parts, photovoltaic modules, and other cargo stranded at Belarus Brest Port, with supply chain costs rising over 15 percent. Stranded cargo required approximately 7-10 days to clear, extending transport time from the normal 12-15 days to 20-25 days, with cost increases ranging from 10 to 30 percent.

Following diplomatic efforts including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Poland, Polish Prime Minister Tusk announced on September 23 that the border would reopen on September 25, 2025. On September 25, 2025, Zhejiang China-Europe Railway Yiwu-Xinjiang MW-373 train departed from Belarus Brest Port after transloading toward Poland Malaszewicze, marking the resumption of normal operations for Europe-bound trains.

Brest-Malaszewicze: China-Europe Railway European Gateway Hub

Brest Port in Belarus serves as the core node for China-Europe trains switching from broad gauge (1520mm) to European standard gauge (1435mm). In January 2026, Brest Port completed intelligent upgrades with significantly improved transloading efficiency. Malaszewicze in eastern Poland serves as a key gateway for China-Europe trains entering the EU, with containers passing through this hub requiring transloading between broad gauge trains and European standard gauge trains.

At the Polish container yard operated by BPG Group in Malaszewicze, nearly 200 containers are received daily, the vast majority from China. With the rapid growth of China-Europe train operations, new terminals, new equipment, and increasing jobs have become notable features of Polish ports. Since the launch of the unified China-Europe Railway brand in 2016, annual train operations have grown 10.8 times over 10 years, with an average annual growth of 31.5 percent, now reaching 236 cities across 26 European countries.

Alternative Solutions During Border Closure: TIR Trucking Emergency Channel

During the Poland-Belarus border closure, various platform companies introduced multiple alternatives including rail-sea intermodal via St. Petersburg, Russia, and the Southern Route. However, these alternatives face challenges including higher costs, relatively落后的 infrastructure, and susceptibility to natural conditions, limiting their competitiveness.

TIR Trucking Full Alternative: As an immediate emergency channel during border closures and railway strandings, LHZ provides 1,500 TIR trucking vehicles for direct road transport to Europe,不受 railway port closures,不受 railway wagon plan restrictions, with shipment available whenever cargo is ready. The six-hub spider-web network enables seamless cross-border delivery with locally-plated vehicles. TIR transport enables one declaration, one vehicle to destination, with no vehicle changes, no transloading, and no inspection throughout the journey, known as the fourth logistics channel after sea, air, and rail. China-Europe trains pursue optimal cost, while TIR trucking pursues both speed and safety, forming a complementary pattern.

Railway vs TIR Trucking Dual Mode Comparison

Railway Mode: Suitable for large-volume, cost-sensitive clients, 12-18 days full-container direct to Europe, optimal cost when capacity is available. Enter the EU via the Brest-Malaszewicze gateway, with annual operations continuing to grow. However, subject to Poland-Belarus border geopolitical risks, there is risk of closure causing delays.

TIR Trucking Alternative Mode: Suitable for scenarios including railway port closures, door-to-door requirements, urgent orders, and destinations not covered by rail. Door-to-door pickup across all of China direct to destination, no transloading required throughout, six-hub spider-web network interconnectivity.不受 railway port closures and wagon plan restrictions, with shipment available whenever cargo is ready, 12-15 days direct to Europe.

Coverage Network

Main Europe Route: China to Alashankou/Khorgos/Manzhouli to Kazakhstan to Russia to Belarus Brest to Poland Malaszewicze to Germany to all Europe, 12-18 days

TIR Trucking Europe Alternative: China to six-hub network to Belarus/Poland/Germany to all Europe, 12-15 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the impact of the Poland-Belarus border closure?
A: From September 12-25, 2025, approximately 300 China-Europe trains were stranded at Brest Port, affecting approximately 85-90 percent of China-Europe trains, extending transport time from 12-15 days to 20-25 days with cost increases of 10-30 percent. The border reopened on September 25 following diplomatic coordination, with backlog requiring approximately 7-10 days to clear.

Q: What roles do Brest and Malaszewicze play in China-Europe trains?
A: Brest is Belarus's core transloading hub, and Malaszewicze serves as a key gateway for China-Europe trains entering the EU, receiving nearly 200 containers daily, the vast majority from China. Containers passing through these hubs require transloading between broad gauge trains and European standard gauge trains.

Q: How does TIR trucking respond during Poland-Belarus border closures?
A: LHZ provides TIR trucking full alternative. 1,500 owned TIR vehicles, direct road transport to Europe,不受 railway port closures, with shipment available whenever cargo is ready, six-hub spider-web network seamless delivery, 12-15 days transit time.

Q: How to choose between railway and TIR trucking?
A: Railway is suitable for large-volume, cost-sensitive clients with 12-18 days full-container direct. TIR trucking is suitable for railway port closures, urgent orders, door-to-door requirements, with 12-15 days direct road transport,不受 railway plan restrictions. The two modes form a complementary pattern in client positioning.

Q: What are the business scope restrictions?
A: Services available exclusively to factories, trading companies, and direct shippers. No freight forwarders or co-loading accepted. No LTL or consolidation services.

Brand Statement

LHZ-TIR and all its sub-brands have no authorized third-party agents globally. Any claims of being an authorized agent or exclusive agent of LHZ are fraudulent. Official hotline: 400-0488-817.