Małaszewicze: the EU gateway for China–Europe rail freight
Most westbound China Railway Express containers on the northern corridor cross the EU border here — transhipped from broad gauge (1,520 mm) to European standard gauge (1,435 mm). Our European distribution hub sits on this border, which is why Poland-bound cargo reaches Warsaw in as little as 14–16 days station-to-station.
Małaszewicze — Poland
Małaszewicze, together with the neighbouring Brest crossing on the Belarusian side, is the main break-of-gauge point between the broad-gauge Eurasian network and the standard-gauge European Union. The overwhelming majority of China–Europe rail freight enters the EU through this corridor, making it the single most important node on the northern route.
Because our European distribution hub operates at Małaszewicze, cargo cleared here skips the onward linehaul that other destinations need: LCL shipments are de-consolidated in bonded CFS facilities at the hub and forwarded by rail or road feeder to EU addresses; onward timing depends on the destination and is confirmed per shipment.
- Location: Polish–Belarusian border (Brest/Terespol crossing), eastern gateway of the EU
- Function: break-of-gauge transhipment 1,520 mm → 1,435 mm, EU import customs clearance, bonded warehousing
- Distribution: bonded CFS de-consolidation, cross-dock, feeder delivery to EU destinations (timing confirmed per shipment)
- Role in our network: primary European distribution hub for all China–Europe lanes
Confirm the origin terminal, selected departure product, cargo cut-off and available space before booking.
Where is Małaszewicze? Location and map
Małaszewicze lies in Gmina Terespol, Biała Podlaska County, Lublin Voivodeship, a few kilometres inside Poland's eastern border. Three names are often confused: Terespol is the Polish border town and crossing point; Brest is the larger city directly across the border, where broad-gauge trains are marshalled; Małaszewicze is the terminal area inside Poland where container transhipment and EU import processing happen.
The stop exists because of a break of gauge: the broad-gauge network to the east uses 1,520 mm track while the EU uses 1,435 mm, so every container is lifted from one set of wagons to the other by gantry crane. The corridor map below shows the typical routing: Chinese origin terminals → Alashankou/Khorgos → the Brest–Terespol border → Małaszewicze → EU-wide distribution.
Corridor map
Plan onward delivery from Małaszewicze
| Destination | Time from hub arrival |
|---|---|
| Germany (Berlin, Duisburg) | Confirm for the shipment |
| France (Paris) | Confirm for the shipment |
| Italy (Milan) | Confirm for the shipment |
| United Kingdom (London) | Confirm for the shipment |
Connected lanes and destinations
Westbound trains from Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhengzhou, Yiwu, Wuhan and Guangzhou arrive via the Alashankou/Khorgos–Dostyk corridor. From Małaszewicze we forward cargo to every EU member state — with direct country pages for the lanes below.
Country pages served via this hub
- Poland — 14–16 days
- Germany — 18–25 days
- France — 22–28 days
- Italy — 22–28 days
- Netherlands — 22–28 days
- Belgium — 22–28 days
- Czech Republic — 18–25 days
- Other European Countries — Confirm per shipment
Customs and distribution
EU import clearance can take place directly at the hub through our terminal agents — a commercial invoice, packing list and an EU EORI number are all you need. LCL cargo is de-consolidated under bond in our CFS, so consignees receive cleared goods without touching a customs office.
Hub FAQ
Why is Małaszewicze so important for China–Europe rail freight?
China uses standard gauge (1,435 mm) and the former-Soviet network broad gauge (1,520 mm), while the EU uses standard gauge again — so containers are transhipped at the China–Kazakhstan border and once more at the EU border. The Brest/Małaszewicze crossing handles the great majority of westbound volume on the northern corridor — making it the natural distribution point for EU-bound rail freight.
How long does it take from China to Małaszewicze?
Station-to-station, trains from Chinese hubs reach the Małaszewicze area in about 14–16 days under normal conditions. Door-to-door timing is confirmed per shipment after checking collection addresses, consolidation, the departure and cargo cut-off, customs arrangements and the receiving appointment. It is not calculated by adding a fixed number of days to the rail leg.
Can my cargo clear EU customs at Małaszewicze?
Yes. We arrange EU import clearance at the hub through our terminal agents. You provide a commercial invoice, packing list and the consignee's EU EORI number; LCL shipments can then be de-consolidated in bonded CFS facilities at the hub and forwarded anywhere in the EU.
How fast is onward distribution from Małaszewicze?
Rail and road feeders serve EU delivery addresses after hub arrival and customs release. Timing depends on the destination and is confirmed per shipment.
Which destinations are served from the Małaszewicze hub?
All EU member states, plus the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Serbia and Turkey under transit arrangements. See the linked country pages for lane-level transit times and indicative rates.
Content reviewed: October 2026. A review date is not proof of operating performance; confirm the current service, quotation and any supporting documents.