Freight transportation in Russian Railways rules
Rail transport is used to transport luggage. Mail and luggage trains still run across Russia, and mail and luggage cars are attached to passenger trains. You can send your luggage by train on the same train where the owner of the cargo is traveling or on any other train without its owner.
The first method allows baggage to be transported based on whether the passenger has a ticket. A compartment or compartment of a baggage car can be used to transport things. If there are no seats on the train, then the luggage can be sent on another nearby train, which is heading along the same route.
The possibility of sending luggage without the presence of the owner is provided only by postal and luggage trains. The forwarding service is available in all regions of Russia. Special carriages are attached to all fast trains coming from major cities.
Baggage for transportation is checked in on the day of train departure. If the forwarding service is ordered in advance, then the storage service of the item is additionally paid for each day. The cargo is issued in the destination city from the baggage car. The possibility of sending goods is also provided by transport services that use delivery services by rail. Even before transferring the shipment, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the forwarding requirements on the Russian Railways portal or at the information desk at the station.
If you are traveling alone and bringing luggage with you
From October 2014, most of the luggage compartments on railways will cease to operate. Now your luggage is transported in a separate luggage compartment on the same train you are traveling on. There is a luggage compartment in all trains of the Russian Federation (in the headquarters car).
Baggage is checked out in accordance with the approved rules for the transportation of passengers, baggage and cargo luggage on railway transport, as follows. At a regular ticket office, you pay for your luggage and receive a receipt. This can be done either immediately when purchasing a ticket at the box office, or by presenting a printout of the electronic ticket form. Then you check your luggage into the staff car of the train (ask the conductors where it is, you will receive it there), and you go in your own carriage.
- All luggage must be checked in at the same time (and take receipts for it too). For each ticket (including children with a seat provided, that is, from 5 to 10 years old) 3 pieces of baggage are allowed.
- One piece of luggage in the sum of three dimensions should not exceed 180 cm, weight - no more than 75 kg. The total weight of all luggage is no more than 200 kg per passenger.
- Anything that does not fit into the regulations can also be accepted for transportation as baggage, but under special conditions. They need to be discussed separately.
- Each piece of luggage (that is, an item checked in - a sofa, a suitcase, a travel bag) must be carefully packed and equipped with devices for carrying and loading. Especially equipment, objects with glass and mirrors, etc. Remember that the safety of your belongings is your concern. Exceptions are baby strollers and wheelchairs. They may be needed immediately after unloading, so they can be checked into baggage without packaging.
How is baggage transportation handled?
To arrange transportation services, you must contact the ticket agent. If the weight of the cargo does not exceed 30 kg, then the sender is issued a receipt confirming that the luggage is in hand. If cargo is transported by a passenger on the basis of a ticket purchased by him, then no fee is charged for the transportation of goods.
Acceptance of packaged cargo is carried out at the carrier's department, where baggage is accepted and issued. After acceptance of the cargo, transport documentation is drawn up. You can pay for baggage transportation when purchasing a ticket at the terminal or do it later if you buy a digital ticket. Delivery of cargo when filling out a receipt at the source station is paid by the sender.
Sports, tourism and hunting equipment
Bicycles, skis, kayaks and other sports equipment, according to the rules for transporting luggage on long-distance trains, do not need to be checked in as luggage. It can be carried in carry-on bags or placed in other convenient ways. The main thing is that your equipment should not interfere with other passengers, everything should be disassembled, safely packed, and the sum of three dimensions (length + width + height) should not exceed 180 cm.
You must pay for the transportation of sports equipment at the regular ticket office at the station. This can be done at any time as soon as the sale of tickets for your train opens. That is, you can either simultaneously with purchasing a ticket or later. any time before the train departs.
- Skis, ski poles, and snowboards are transported on trains free of charge. No documents are required.
- Kayaks, kayaks and oars (both collapsible and non-collapsible) are paid as follows: for each boat you need a receipt for 30 kg of luggage.
- Bicycles without a motor are charged as 10 kg of luggage.
- Weapons (hunting and sporting) - disassembled, in a case, separately from cartridges. Transported in carry-on baggage areas, paid as 10 kg of baggage.
Rules for cargo transportation services
Russian Railways has the following rules for transporting goods by rail:
- The minimum weight of the shipment is 5 kg, the maximum weight is 75 kg for a unit of cargo;
- Each passenger can order no more than three pieces of cargo space, the sum of measurements for each piece of cargo luggage is no more than 300 cm;
- The sender is obliged to pack his cargo tightly and securely;
- Twine should be used to tie the packaged cargo;
- Containers containing breakable and fragile goods must be marked accordingly;
- The package must contain information about the sender and recipient, including registration and telephone number;
- A fee is charged for storing an item in the terminal for more than a day. Therefore, it is cheaper to transmit it on the day the train travels according to schedule.
Entrepreneurs, individuals and legal entities can use the services of transporting goods by rail. To receive the cargo after its arrival, the recipient must show a passport and baggage ticket.
Russian Railways has a similar ban, like the Russian Post, on sending certain types of cargo. The following are not subject to transportation:
- Flammable compounds and items that can damage luggage belonging to other travelers;
- Toxic substances, jewelry, any type of weapons and financial documents.
Content restrictions
It is prohibited to take firearms, as well as flammable and explosive items with you. You should also not take any objects that could harm passengers or damage the interior.
When transporting baggage by rail, there are certain rules and regulations regarding how many items a passenger can carry and where exactly.
Having chosen to travel by rail, you must familiarize yourself with the conditions and rules for the carriage of baggage and passengers. There are things that are forbidden to take with you on the train. On our website you will also find information about what certificates and documents are required to transport pets.
How to send a pet without an owner?
Russian Railways provides a service for delivering pets without the presence of the owner. The cost of the service starts from 820 rubles. and depends on the length of the route. The service is not available in all cities, so you should check with Russian Railways employees in advance about the possibility of receiving it.
The dispatch service is provided for the following types of animals:
- Cats and dogs, birds and small predators;
- Small rodents and non-venomous reptiles;
- Non-venomous amphibians and hedgehogs.
There are several requirements for transporting pets. They must be healthy and clean. The possibility of sending is provided only with the formation of a package of supporting documents. Its kit includes:
- Pedigree of the animal (if available);
- Veterinary passport;
- Card with information about the sender and recipient.
The animal is transported in a carrier. The sender's responsibilities include handing over a package of food and feeding bowls. The carrier must have a lock and a removable tray if the shipment takes more than a day. Pets are cared for during transportation by train crew members.
To receive a pet carrier at the arrival station, the recipient must present documents.
If the complaint is ignored
Carrier company employees do not always agree to accept and process the claim.
In some cases, clients are denied compensation for losses, even if the carrier’s fault is proven.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the transport prosecutor's office. This is the body that stands above Russian Railways. In this case, the citizen must have strong evidence of the carrier’s guilt.
You can also contact Rospotrebnadzor . It is worth using the services of this department if a private logistics company was responsible for the transportation. A written application is submitted to the agency, which can be submitted in person, sent by mail, or delivered by an authorized representative.
Reference! If Rospotrebnadzor was unable to influence the situation, you can go to court.
During the trial, it will be necessary to point out violations committed by the carrier and demand compensation. It is recommended to first obtain the support of a qualified lawyer who can protect the rights of the plaintiff.
Cost of luggage dispatch services
The price of transportation depends on the length of the route and the dimensions of the cargo you are sending. The minimum cost of transportation is 111 rubles. provided that luggage occupies one place in the compartment and the length of the trip is within 10 km.
When sending over a distance of 2500 km (for example, from Murmansk to Voronezh), you will have to pay 350 rubles. Transportation of a wheelchair or baby stroller over the same distance will cost 175 rubles. If your luggage is sent unaccompanied, you will have to pay more for shipping.
For those who plan to send goods by train, additional services are provided. You can insure your luggage, use packaging and delivery services to your door using a courier. The cost of delivery services also depends on the dimensions of the cargo.
As for delivery times, they depend on the time the train travels from one station to another. So, when sending things from Moscow to Novosibirsk, delivery will take 2 days, and when sending things from Moscow to Vladivostok, 6-7 days.
Hand luggage
Hand luggage is any baggage that does not exceed 36 kg for regular class carriages and 50 kg for CB class carriages. If the baggage dimensions do not exceed 180 cm and fit within the established kilogram limits, then it is transported free of charge. If the weight of luggage exceeds the limit, you must pay extra for it. Essential items (wheelchairs, strollers, etc.) can be carried free of charge.
Hand luggage is placed in specially equipped areas of the carriage - in the upper compartments and in lockers under the lower shelves.
Hand luggage is carried free of charge if it meets the requirements of Russian Railways.
Carrying luggage in the luggage compartment
In situations where the size and weight of existing luggage exceeds the limits established for hand luggage, it must be transported in specially equipped compartments. They have everything necessary to ensure the safety of transported items.
Baggage is checked in at the station ticket office. After payment and receipt of the receipt, it is handed over to the headquarters car. If you can’t find it, you can ask the guides for help. You can pay for baggage when purchasing a ticket or after purchasing it.
It is worth remembering that Russian Railways is not responsible for the integrity and safety of luggage. Therefore, before handing over, you need to make sure that the cargo is well packed and whether there are handles for transportation. Particular attention should be paid to packaging fragile items, because shocks and shocks during movement may damage them. Boxes containing fragile items must be marked accordingly.
