Key practical points:
• The rail carriage contract begins with buying a ticket (passengers) or a waybill (freight), setting out the carrier's liability.
• The carrier is responsible for passenger safety and compensates loss or damage to goods within legal limits.
• Protection zones are established along the lines where building or activities threatening operational safety are banned.
• Carrying dangerous or prohibited materials without special procedures is forbidden, as is tampering with railway facilities or entering the tracks.
• Transport pricing for national lines is state-regulated, with rules on delay, cancellation, and refunds.
• Violations such as damaging facilities or encroaching on protection zones bring fines, compensation, and criminal liability where safety is endangered.
Railway Law · Yalla China
中华人民共和国铁路法 / Railway Law of the People's Republic of China
Enacted: 1990-09-07 ✅ Effective: 2015-04-24
📝 Overview
A law governing rail passenger and freight transport, operational safety, line construction, and protection of railway facilities. It sets out the rights and duties of railway operators, passengers, and shippers.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
If you ship freight by rail, understand the carrier's liability limits and dangerous-goods procedures. Building near lines is subject to protection zones. This is general orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
npc.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026