Rail terminal container handling
loading, discharge, storage
Rail terminal container handling covers everything that happens to cargo between the train and the truck: discharge, inspection, storage, customs, devanning and release. This is where days are most often lost and unplanned storage bills appear.
For exports we work the other way round: gate-in, weighing, loading onto a container flatcar and dispatch paperwork. We also handle empties — return to the depot and release for stuffing.
Specification
Specification · Rail terminal handling. Standard terms · tariffs and free time depend on the terminal
Service
- Operations
- loading, discharge, devanning, storage
- Direction
- import and export
- Options
- palletising, customs, trucking
Terms
- Timing
- discharge on arrival day, per terminal window
- Storage
- free time per terminal terms
- Currency
- USD / RUB
Logistics
- Reception
- settlement, discharge, inspection
- Handling
- customs, storage, devanning
- Release
- trucking, empty return
Price
- Base
- terminal tariff per operation
- Extras
- storage beyond free time, inspection — on request
Service flow
- 01
Train arrival notice
We get the arrival notice for the train or wagons, agree a discharge window with the terminal and plan pickup right away.
1–2 days before arrival - 02
Reception and discharge
We settle the documents, discharge the containers and check condition and seals; in case of damage or shortage we insist on a report before release.
on the day of arrival - 03
Customs operations
If the terminal is a temporary storage warehouse, the cargo is placed in bond, we file the declaration (DT), and any inspection is carried out on site.
1–2 days - 04
Storage and handling
We store the container or cargo and do devanning, palletising and sorting; for exports — stuffing, weighing and loading the container onto a flatcar.
on request - 05
Release and empty return
We release the container for pickup against a power of attorney, truck it to the warehouse and take the empty back into the depot.
1 day
Problems
The train has arrived but the terminal is congested: containers wait for discharge, pickup isn't planned and storage builds up.
We agree the discharge window on the arrival notice and book trucks for pickup in advance.
Damage or shortage is found only at the warehouse — there is nothing to base a claim against the carrier on.
We inspect the container and seals at discharge and require a commercial or general-form report before release.
Storage and container detention bills end up exceeding the freight cost.
We fix free time and terminal tariffs in the specification before arrival and keep one point of contact for the whole chain.
Documents
Documents for rail terminal work. Cargo is not released without a power of attorney and customs release, and without reports drawn up at the station you cannot claim against the carrier for damage.
Incoterms
- FCA
- origin terminal — for exports from Russia
- CPT
- carriage to the destination terminal paid by the seller
- DAP
- delivered at the destination terminal; unloading on the buyer
Documents
- Power of attorney
- to take delivery and settle documents
- Waybill
- SMGS or GU-27u — data for document settlement
- Release
- declaration (DT) marked released, or removal permit
- Work order
- order for terminal operations and pickup
- Reports
- commercial report or general-form report — for damage or shortage
FAQ
It is a freight terminal inland — not at the border or in a port — where trains are discharged and cargo is stored, cleared and released closer to the consignee. It relieves congested border and port stations and shortens the truck leg to the warehouse.
Free time depends on the terminal and the container owner — typically up to 5–7 days after discharge, then storage is charged at tariff. The container owner may also bill detention separately. We agree the terms in advance to fit your pickup schedule.
Yes. The container is lifted off the flatcar by reach stacker or crane and placed on a container truck, or the cargo is devanned onto pallets into a trailer. Door delivery is arranged from the same terminal.
The container is gated in against an order, weighed and placed on a container flatcar by reach stacker or crane, locked onto the fitting pins. An 80-foot flatcar takes two 40-footers or a 20/40 combination per the loading scheme. The waybill and container sealing are done in parallel.
Do not take it without a record: before release the station draws up a commercial report for loss or damage to cargo, or a general-form report for other circumstances. Without these reports a claim against the carrier is practically impossible. We check the container and seals at discharge and get the reports on the spot.
Yes, if the terminal is a temporary storage warehouse (SVKh) or lies in a customs control zone: the cargo is placed in temporary storage, the declaration (DT) is filed and any inspection is done on site. Otherwise the cargo moves under customs transit to the nearest bonded store.