For years, rail transport through Russia was a key route for Chinese goods heading to Europe.
It was fast, efficient, and reliable. Now, that route is in crisis.
Stricter Russian controls on dual-use goods—products that could have both civilian and military applications—have led to mass confiscations.
This has caused a major drop in freight movement, reports Digi24.
Chinese suppliers no longer trust the railway system through Russia. Many have completely stopped using it.
"We haven't dared to transport goods by rail since November," said Andrew Dang, general manager of Shanghai-based Air Sea Transport.
His concerns reflect a broader problem. Russia tightened its transit rules in October, focusing on mechanical and electronic products.
Many of these items were seized by Russian customs. Western sanctions mean some of the confiscated goods never left Russia.
The impact has been severe. Up to 80,000 containers normally pass through Russia each month on their way to Europe.
With shipments now blocked or delayed, logistics networks are struggling. Businesses that relied on this trade route are looking for alternatives.
China and Kazakhstan have already responded. They launched a new railway route that avoids Russia entirely.
Trains now travel through Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey before reaching Europe.
Beijing is also working on additional trade corridors through Central Asia and the Caspian Sea.
These changes show how quickly global trade routes can shift.
Russia’s decision to tighten controls may have helped its internal policies, but it has also pushed China to look elsewhere.
With alternative routes expanding, the future of rail freight through Russia looks uncertain.
