Rail Freight

To calculate the cost, we will need the following information:

1. delivery terms (Incoterms);
2. the place of loading (address or terminal);
3. the place of delivery (address or terminal);
4. the volume of the cargo;
5. a description of the cargo;
6. cargo readiness date and preferred delivery date.

INCOTERMS, or the terms of delivery, determine the point at which the responsibility for transporting the cargo and the related costs are transferred between the seller and the buyer. They are usually stated in the purchase contract or invoice. For more details on Incoterms, visit: incoterms.

The price of rail freight varies. It is influenced by a number of factors, but the pricing is based on the following information:

1. Type of cargo.
The shipping price for different goods may vary significantly. Some goods may be carried in a tank, while others in a container and some others in a railcar or on a platform. Each of these types of railway container has different pricing and the type of goods and the most appropriate carrying container is always taken into account when preparing the quote.

2. Parameters of the cargo.
Length, width, height, weight, shape ‒ these characteristics of your goods are taken into account when preparing a quote. For example, carriage of bulky and heavy cargo will always be more expensive due to the specific handling requirements as well as the use of special railway containers.

3. Route.
The carriage distance and the required number of cargo transfers along the route play a significant role in rail freight pricing. Longer distances and more complex routes will always reflect in the final shipping cost.

4. Urgency.
When calculating the price for rail freight, the required speed of delivery is always taken into account. For example, perishable goods are carried on the shortest possible routes, regardless of the time of day, usually making the shipping more expensive.

5. Ancillary services.
When calculating the price of rail freight, we always take into account all preferences of the customer, such as cargo insurance, door-to-door delivery, customs formalities, etc. These are ancillary services that increase the total cost of carriage.

Depending on configuration, freight railcars are divided into several categories. Below you can find information on the most popular types of railcar.

1. Enclosed railcar
An enclosed railcar is enclosed from all sides. This type of railcar is used to transport a very wide range of goods and provides a very high level of cargo security. Enclosed railcars are normally used for the transport of goods which require protection from the weather. There are also special enclosed railcars adapted for the carriage of animals, paper, steel and other goods.

2. A platform
A platform is an open railcar designed to carry goods that do not require protection from the weather. Platforms are usually used to transport wood, bulky appliances, industrial equipment, etc.

3. An open wagon
An open wagon, unlike a platform, is equipped with high sides, allowing the carriage of loose and dry bulk cargo that does not need to be protected from the weather.

4. A hopper wagon
A hopper wagon is a funnel-type railcar with a mechanised unloading function. This type of railcar is equipped with a hatch at the bottom or side which, when opened, allows the cargo to be unloaded under gravity. This type of railcar is normally used for the transport of goods such as grain, cement, ore, fertilisers, etc.

5. A tank car
A tank car is a railcar designed to carry various liquids. There are also special tank cars designed to transport liquefied gas.

The prices of rail freight depend on many variable factors and therefore today’s carriage costs can differ from the cost of carrying an identical cargo a few months before. For this reason, we recommend to ask for an exact rail freight quote before each planned shipment. This especially applies if a long period of time has passed between shipments.

Our specialists continuously monitor the movement and the location of all goods being transported, allowing us to advise customers on both the current location of the cargo and scheduled date of delivery at the final destination.

EORI or Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (more information here: EORI. It must be registered by enterprises, individual economic operators and natural persons exporting and/or importing goods from/to third countries.

Yes, Ursus Forwarding provides all ancillary services related to rail freight, including customs formalities and the delivery of cargo from the terminal to the final consignee or from the consignor to the rail freight terminal.