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English version of ChinPost’s Khorgos guide. Read it in Persian (فارسی).
Quick answer: Road freight (truck) from Khorgos and Xinjiang is one of the fastest land corridors from China to Iran in 2026. Cargo moves by truck from western China to the Kazakhstan border, then overland to the Iranian border — usually Incheh Borun, Sarakhs or Lotfabad. Typical door-to-door time is 12–22 days. For small and mid-weight shipments it is usually cheaper than air and faster than sea. Overland from Khorgos to an Iran customs point costs $14,500 per container. Get a quote on WhatsApp +86 132 4961 5457.
Why Khorgos and Xinjiang matter for Iranian importers
Khorgos is one of China’s largest dry ports and a free-trade zone on the Kazakhstan border. Factories and warehouses in western and north-western China — Urumqi, Kashgar, Korla, Khorgos itself — can ship west overland without sending cargo back to the eastern seaports (Shanghai, Ningbo). That saves the inland leg to the coast and the sea leg that follows it. The corridor is covered in the overland freight guide, and costs for all modes are in the English cost guide.
Main road routes: China → Iran (2026)
- Khorgos → Kazakhstan → Turkmenistan → Incheh Borun: the standard TIR truck route for western-China cargo.
- Khorgos → Kazakhstan → Turkmenistan → Sarakhs: used when the destination customs point or the onward rail link makes Sarakhs the better entry.
- Khorgos → Kazakhstan → Turkmenistan → Lotfabad: alternative road crossing for truck cargo.
Trucks run under TIR carnet for the whole transit. The rail alternative via Sarakhs takes 18–25 days; the road corridor is typically 12–22 days door to door.
Time and cost guide (2026)
| Mode | Transit time |
|---|---|
| Road, Khorgos corridor (door to door) | 12–22 days |
| Rail via Sarakhs | 18–25 days |
| Sea (comparison) | 30–40 days |
| Air (comparison) | 3–7 working days |
Overland from Khorgos to an Iran customs point: $14,500 per container. China-side pickup (Urumqi, Kashgar, Korla, Khorgos) and delivery to any inland Iran customs point are priced separately — send the addresses on WhatsApp for an exact quote.
What cargo suits the Khorgos road route?
Mid-weight general cargo, project cargo and shipments from western-China suppliers — the cargo that is too heavy for air and too time-sensitive for a 30–40 day sea voyage. Very small urgent parcels still go by air; very large volumes still go by sea. Dangerous goods need a separate check before booking.
Documents and customs requirements
Standard export documents plus the TIR carnet for the truck leg and the road consignment note (CMR). Product names must match exactly between the invoice and the packing list — a mismatch stops the truck at the border. The full documents checklist and broker rules are in the customs clearance guide.
Khorgos road vs sea vs air — at a glance
Road via Khorgos is the middle option: slower than air (3–7 days) but far cheaper per kilo for mid-weight cargo, and much faster than sea (30–40 days) for cargo that cannot wait. Rail via Sarakhs (18–25 days) is the alternative when the cargo suits containers and the schedule fits the train.
Practical checklist before booking road freight from Xinjiang
- Confirm the pickup address (Urumqi, Kashgar, Korla, Khorgos or elsewhere in western China).
- Confirm weight, dimensions and carton count — the truck is booked on chargeable size.
- Confirm the Iranian border crossing and the destination customs point.
- Have the invoice and packing list ready with matching product names.
- Ask for the quote on WhatsApp — reply in under 30 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does road freight from Khorgos to Iran take?
Typically 12–22 days door to door, depending on the pickup city, the border crossing and customs.
Which border does Khorgos cargo use to enter Iran?
Usually Incheh Borun, Sarakhs or Lotfabad on the Turkmenistan border.
How much does it cost?
$14,500 per container from Khorgos to an Iran customs point. Pickup in China and inland delivery in Iran are quoted separately.
Is road freight cheaper than air freight from China?
For small and mid-weight shipments, usually yes — and it is much faster than sea.
How do I book?
WhatsApp +86 132 4961 5457 with product, weight, dimensions, pickup address and destination — reply in under 30 minutes.
