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English version of ChinPost’s overland guide. Read it in Persian (فارسی).
Quick answer: Overland freight from China to Iran runs by rail and by TIR truck through Central Asia — direct freight trains from Xi’an and Yiwu via Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, and trucks under TIR carnet on the same corridor. Transit is 18–25 days by rail and 12–22 days by road (Khorgos route, door to door). It is faster than sea (30–40 days) and cheaper than air — the balance point for cargo that is neither light and urgent nor huge and slow. Overland from Khorgos to an Iran customs point costs $14,500 per container. Get a quote on WhatsApp +86 132 4961 5457.
Why overland China → Iran is now a serious option
Until a few years ago, importing from China meant a ship and Bandar Abbas. The China–Iran land corridor through Central Asia is no longer a marginal option — it is an operating, growing route. Direct freight trains run from cities like Xi’an and Yiwu through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Iran, and transit trucks under TIR carnet cover the same corridor by road. For cargo that is too heavy for air and too time-sensitive for a 30–40 day sea voyage, overland is exactly the middle ground: faster than sea, cheaper than air. ChinPost runs all three modes — sea, air and overland — and this guide is written from field experience. Costs and transit times are in the English cost guide (or the Persian cost guide).
Main overland corridors from China to Iran
- Rail: direct freight trains from Xi’an, Yiwu and other hubs via Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Sarakhs, Iran. Transit 18–25 days. See the rail freight guide via Sarakhs.
- Road (TIR truck): trucks under TIR carnet from Xinjiang — the Khorgos corridor — through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to the Iranian border. Door to door 12–22 days. See the Khorgos road freight guide.
- Combined sea + land: sea to a regional port, then overland into Iran — used when the sea leg or the destination customs point makes it cheaper. See the sea freight guide.
The three key Iran–Turkmenistan border crossings for China cargo
China cargo entering Iran by land normally clears at one of three crossings on the Turkmenistan border:
- Sarakhs — the main rail gateway; the China–Iran freight train terminates here.
- Incheh Borun — road crossing, used by TIR trucks from the Khorgos corridor.
- Lotfabad — road crossing, an alternative for truck cargo.
Which crossing fits your cargo depends on the mode (rail vs road), the destination customs point in Iran, and the cargo type. The land-border clearance process is covered in the customs clearance guide.
Cargo types: what suits overland
Overland suits mid-weight, time-sensitive cargo: machinery and industrial equipment, electronics, textiles, project cargo and general containerized goods. Very small urgent parcels still go by air; very large bulk volumes still go by sea. Dangerous goods need a separate check — see the DG air-freight service or ask on WhatsApp before booking.
Transit times and cost factors
| Mode | Transit time |
|---|---|
| Rail (China → Sarakhs) | 18–25 days |
| Road, Khorgos corridor (door to door) | 12–22 days |
| Sea (comparison) | 30–40 days |
| Air (comparison) | 3–7 working days |
Cost depends on the route, the container or truck size, the cargo weight and volume, and the destination customs point. The Khorgos → Iran customs leg is $14,500 per container; China-side pickup and delivery to any inland Iran customs point are priced separately. For an exact figure, send the cargo details on WhatsApp.
Customs notes for the overland route
Product names must match exactly between the invoice and the packing list, and anything in the packing list must also appear in the invoice. Keep the documents complete before the cargo reaches the border — a mismatch stops the truck or the train at customs and adds storage costs. The full documents checklist is in the clearance guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does overland freight from China to Iran take?
18–25 days by rail, 12–22 days by road via Khorgos (door to door). Sea takes 30–40 days; air 3–7 working days.
Which border does China cargo use to enter Iran by land?
Normally Sarakhs (rail), Incheh Borun or Lotfabad (road) on the Turkmenistan border.
How much does overland transport from Khorgos to Iran cost?
$14,500 per container from Khorgos to an Iran customs point. Pickup in China and inland delivery in Iran are quoted separately.
Is overland cheaper than air and faster than sea?
Yes — that is exactly its position: faster than sea, cheaper than air, for mid-weight cargo that cannot wait for a ship.
How do I book overland freight with ChinPost?
WhatsApp +86 132 4961 5457 with product, weight, dimensions, pickup address in China and destination in Iran — reply in under 30 minutes.
