Bilateral trade between China and Russia reached US$244.8 billion in 2024, setting a record at the time. In the same year, the Manzhouli railway border crossing handled 4,409 China–Europe freight trains. Together, the trade and corridor figures illustrate the scale of cross-border supply chain activity.
Chinese customs data released in January 2025 showed that bilateral merchandise trade between China and Russia reached US$244.8 billion in 2024, exceeding the US$240.1 billion recorded in 2023 and setting a record at the time. In an interview published in April 2025, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also cited the US$244.8 billion figure, alongside examples of two-way trade in agricultural products and vehicles, when reviewing the results of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
For overland transport, Manzhouli Customs reported that the railway border crossing handled 4,409 inbound and outbound China–Europe freight trains in 2024, carrying 368,000 TEU of goods valued at RMB45.86 billion. These services supported both China–Russia trade and transit shipments connecting with European markets, highlighting Manzhouli’s role as a hub on Eurasia’s overland transport corridors.
According to a customs report published by the Manzhouli municipal government, the crossing was improving document checks and cargo handovers through a dedicated freight-train customs clearance desk, expedited rail clearance procedures, and information sharing between customs, railway operators and terminals. Regional meetings between Chinese and Russian customs and railway authorities also helped coordinate cross-border transport connections.
From a logistics planning perspective, larger trade volumes make it more important for businesses to coordinate shipping schedules with procurement, inventory and final delivery. When comparing transport options for machinery, automotive parts, consumer goods and other cargo, shippers can review responsibilities and charges for collection in China, border handover, international line-haul transport and last-mile delivery together. This helps prevent decisions based solely on the rate for one leg of the journey.
These annual figures provide a historical reference point for the China–Russia market. For individual orders, businesses should still select routes according to cargo dimensions, loading requirements, delivery location and capacity available for the shipment. Confirming documentation and handover arrangements at each stage before dispatch helps keep supply chain plans aligned with operational execution.
Sources
1. Reuters: China-Russia 2024 trade value hits record high - Chinese customs | 2025-01-13
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: Wang Yi on the Results and Goals of Practical China–Russia Cooperation | 2025-04-01
3. Manzhouli Municipal People’s Government, citing Manzhouli Customs: Manzhouli Railway Border Crossing Handled 4,409 China–Europe Freight Trains in 2024 | 2025-02-05