Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Iran and China agree on rail transport tariffs

Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Iran, China, and Turkmenistan have reached a key agreement on unified rail transport tariffs, marking a strategic step toward enhancing cargo flows along the China–Europe corridor through Central Asia and the Middle East.

A high-level meeting was held in Tehran bringing together representatives of railway administrations from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Iran, China, and Turkmenistan. The meeting focused on the multilateral discussions aimed at strengthening the transport link from China to Europe via Central Asia and the Middle East.

The talks focused on the development of the China-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Türkiye/Europe rail corridor. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the approval of competitive and harmonized tariffs for rail cargo transportation along this route.

Delegates also agreed on coordinated measures to increase freight volumes and improve service efficiency. In addition to tariff alignment, the parties reached consensus on critical logistical parameters, including unified delivery times and streamlined procedures.

This initiative is expected to bolster the appeal of the corridor as a cost-effective and reliable alternative for east–west trade, enhancing connectivity between Asia and Europe while supporting regional economic integration.

According to the Kazakh side, container traffic from China to Iran through Kazakhstan increased 2.6 times in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period last year - highlighting the growing relevance of this corridor for Eurasian trade.

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