The China Railway Guangzhou Group sent to Europe air conditioners (ACs) and key components worth about 52 million U.S. dollars, with shipments of complete units exceeding 100,000 on China-Europe freight trains departing from Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) from April to June 2026 as this summer, several European countries have experienced extreme heat, with temperatures in France, Spain, and Germany nearing 40°C.
Customs data show that China's air conditioner exports to the European Union reached 3.76 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2026, up 43.2% year on year, setting a record high for the same period. In June alone, exports to Europe surged 72.8% from a year earlier.
The cargo consists mainly of portable air conditioners and core components such as compressors, evaporators, and condensers, sourced largely from Guangzhou and Foshan.
As orders surge, logistics speed has become critical. China-Europe freight trains can reach major European hubs such as Małaszewicze, Poland, in about 10 days, enabling rapid distribution to heat-affected regions. The route is roughly 20 days faster than sea freight and significantly cheaper than air transport.
Railway authorities have strengthened coordination with customs and border agencies to speed up clearance and ensure smooth outbound operations. Newly scheduled freight train services could further reduce transit time by about 30% compared with regular services.
In the first half of 2026, China's railways transported a total of 2.015 billion tonnes of cargo. During the same period, 11,178 China-Europe freight train services were operated, up 20% year on year.
Reporter | Dai Bosi
Photo | China Railway Guangzhou Group
