China News reported from Wuhan on 10 November 2026 that multimodal transport is widening efficient export and import options for inland central China. Wuhan Customs said that from January to October this year Hubei handled 1,777 cross-border multimodal shipments totaling 132,000 tonnes.
On water-to-water moves, Hubei is deepening models such as Yangtze rail plus river-sea direct service. Companies submit a single multimodal application form and can complete the full clearance process, with transit time saved by about 30%, a Wuhan Customs official said. From January to October, all multimodal cargo at Wuhan Yangluo Port was declared under the new model. The port handled more than 500,000 TEU of import and export containers, up 4.6% year on year, ranking first among ports on the middle and upper Yangtze. Customs data interconnection and mutual recognition of supervision keep cargo traceable end to end and support a faster link between western China and the middle-Yangtze shipping hub.
On rail-highway moves, Hubei recently ran its first international rail-plus-highway multimodal train. The service starts in Wuhan, transfers to highway at Kashgar in Xinjiang, exits at Irkeshtam Port and runs through to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Cargo stays in the same container without being opened en route. Transport and insurance costs have fallen 30% and transit time is about 10 days shorter. Thirty-six TEU have already been shipped, China News reported.
Wuhan Customs has also rolled out air-to-air transit at Ezhou Huahu Airport and Wuhan Tianhe Airport, so goods do not need repeat declaration or inspection; the agency said transit efficiency rose 75% and company costs fell 50%. Sixteen air-to-air transit scenarios are in place, including new links such as Lhasa-Ezhou-Hong Kong, and Hubei supervised 70,000 tonnes of air-to-air transit cargo in January-October, up 41%. Bookers should still confirm product eligibility, cutoffs and handover points with Customs and the operator for each lot.