Shipping costs from China to Russia surge amid Kazakhstan border gridlock

Shipping goods from China to Russia has become significantly more expensive as long queues at Kazakhstan’s border crossings disrupt key trade routes.

Industry participants report that the cost of transporting containers has already risen by around 40% compared with September, with further price increases expected in November, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

The surge stems from a combination of factors, including the seasonal rebound in trade, preparations for harsh winter conditions, delays in truck and rail shipments caused by tightened inspections in Kazakhstan, higher railway tariffs, and the suspension of two major shipping lines, said Andrei Zakharchenko, founder of logistics company Tradest.

According to Tradest data, the cost of shipping a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Moscow by sea and rail via the Russian Far East has increased by $600 to $5,300 since September. Direct rail delivery is now up by $1,000 to $5,400, while transport by truck has climbed to about $10,500, also a $1,000 increase.

Many importers say their actual costs are even higher due to additional fees for rerouting around severe traffic jams in Kazakhstan.

Russia tightened customs inspections in early September in a bid to curb grey imports and contraband moving through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan from China. The move has caused massive congestion, with thousands of trucks stranded at crossings and significant delays for container trains.

The gridlock has hit both grey-market and fully documented shipments. Several importers said they have been waiting nearly two months for legally cleared goods, while containers belonging to grey-market traders remain completely stalled.

Middlemen offering to “expedite” border clearance for $700–$1,000 per container — effectively bypassing inspections — have reportedly appeared.

Kazakh customs authorities have also intensified inspections of goods arriving from China, further driving up costs.

“Our operator warned that in October, Kazakh customs began inspecting all import containers at rail crossings with China, and this alone has added around $500 to delivery costs,” said a manager at a household goods trading firm.

“Overall, if we’re lucky, we now pay about 10% more than a month ago, but in many cases it’s closer to 40%,” another importer added.

Freight forwarders expect prices to keep climbing into winter. “Every year, winter conditions push up rates — routes get tougher, companies need special equipment and anti-ice measures, and even winter diesel fuel costs more,” said an employee at a forwarding company.

Zakharchenko forecasted that the upward trend will likely persist until the Chinese New Year in mid-February.

Importers warn that rising logistics costs are likely to feed through to retail prices in Russia, particularly if restrictions on grey-market imports continue.

“As a legal importer, I’d welcome the disappearance of those small competitors from the market,” said the owner of a major trading company. “But as a consumer, I understand that many Russians relied on them for affordable clothing and footwear.”

By Vafa Guliyeva