حمل چین
Land & rail corridor

Khorgos → Tehran

خرگس → تهران

The shortest road corridor from China to Iran — about 3,585 km from the Khorgos dry port to Tehran. Trucks in 12–18 days.

Route Specifications

Khorgos → Tehran at a Glance

ModeTransit TimeFrequencyPrice Level
Truck (TIR)12–18 daysRegularFast & flexible
Block train (rail)14–18 daysScaling upBest for FCL
Rail + road combined15–20 daysWeeklyBalanced

Transit times reflect typical market performance and may increase during border congestion or winter weather. Route distance per Iran's official presentation at the UN ESCAP conference.

Corridor

Where Does the Khorgos Corridor Pass?

Khorgos → Altynkol → Almaty → Tashkent → Turkmenistan → Sarakhs → Mashhad → Tehran. This corridor is part of the China–Central Asia–Iran transport route, which entered a regular block-train phase in early 2026. The alternative overland route via Kashgar and Kyrgyzstan is also available for cargo from western China.

Advantages

Why Ship via Khorgos?

🛣️

Shortest road corridor

At roughly 3,585 km, Khorgos–Tehran is the shortest road route between China and Iran. Every day saved on the road comes straight off your landed cost.

🚛

Rail and road from one gateway

The Khorgos dry port is both a road and a rail crossing. Choose TIR trucking, block trains, or a combination of both depending on your cargo.

⏱️

12–18 days to Tehran

Trucks usually take 12–18 days and block trains 14–18 days — far faster than ocean freight (25–40 days) and much cheaper than air freight.

🏠

True door-to-door delivery

Cargo is collected from your factory or warehouse in China and delivered straight to your address in Tehran or any other Iranian city.

🛃

Strong customs infrastructure

Sarakhs is Iran’s busiest rail gateway with a special economic zone next door. The alternative rail entry at Incheh Borun has been operational since late 2024.

🌊

No maritime exposure

This overland corridor does not depend on the Strait of Hormuz and keeps cargo moving even when Gulf shipping is disrupted.

Process

How Shipping via Khorgos Works

1

Booking & mode selection

Share your cargo details (weight, volume, commodity). Our specialists recommend truck, rail, or a combined solution.

2

Haulage to Khorgos dry port

Cargo is collected anywhere in China (factory, market, or warehouse) and moved to the Khorgos dry port on the Kazakh border.

3

Export customs & documents

Chinese export declaration is completed and the international road consignment note (CMR) or rail documents (CIM/SMGS) are issued.

4

Transit across Central Asia

Via Altynkol, Almaty and Tashkent, then through Turkmenistan. Rail cargo undergoes gauge changes at the borders. Shipment tracking is available throughout.

5

Entry via Sarakhs & delivery

The cargo enters Iran at Sarakhs (or Incheh Borun on the northern rail route), clears customs, and is delivered in Tehran or the final destination.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does land freight from Khorgos to Tehran take?
Trucks usually need 12–18 days and block trains 14–18 days, depending on border queues. Including domestic haulage from eastern Chinese cities such as Guangzhou or Yiwu, the total door-to-door time is roughly 18–25 days.
Which cities does the corridor pass through?
The main road route runs Khorgos → Altynkol (Kazakhstan) → Almaty → Tashkent (Uzbekistan) → Turkmenistan → Sarakhs → Mashhad → Tehran. The shortest road distance from Khorgos to Tehran is about 3,585 km. By rail, the train can also transit directly from Kazakhstan into Turkmenistan (Bolashak–Etrek) and enter Iran at Incheh Borun.
How does the rail gauge break affect transit?
China and Iran use standard gauge (1,435 mm) while Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan use 1,520 mm. At Khorgos and Sarakhs, containers are reloaded or wagon bogies are exchanged. Sarakhs can exchange bogies for about 400 wagons per day, which makes it the most time-sensitive point on the rail route.
What documents cover this route?
Road shipments travel on an international CMR consignment note, normally under TIR carnet procedures. Rail shipments use CIM/SMGS documents, which allow seamless carriage across different rail systems.
What cargo is this route best suited for?
Auto parts, consumer goods, stationery and toys, fabrics and light raw materials, electrical appliances, and small machinery. Check the prohibited-items list before shipping.
How much does freight via Khorgos cost?
Land and rail freight sits between sea and air pricing and depends on weight, volume, commodity, and mode. Send your cargo details on WhatsApp for an exact quote.
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