The definition of international multimodal transport given by the United Nations Convention on International Multimodal Transport of Goods is: in accordance with the international multimodal transport contract, the multimodal transport operator transports the goods from the place where the goods are taken over in one country (region) to the designated place of delivery in another country (region) by at least two different modes of transport. In terms of its organizational form and system, it can basically be divided into two categories: collaborative multimodal transport and connecting multimodal transport. Collaborative multimodal transport refers to the transport of goods from the place where the goods are taken over to the designated place of delivery of the goods by transport enterprises with two or more modes of transport in accordance with unified regulations or agreed agreements. Connecting multimodal transport refers to the transport of goods from the place where the goods are taken over to the designated place of delivery of the goods by a multimodal transport enterprise (hereinafter referred to as the multimodal transport operator) that comprehensively organizes transport enterprises with two or more modes of transport.
International multimodal transport usually adopts container transport with uniform specifications and implements one ticket to the end, that is, the shipper only needs to sign a transport contract, pay a fee once, pass an inspection once, and handle insurance once to complete the entire process of transportation. This greatly facilitates the speed and efficiency of trade connections between countries. It is an efficient and fast logistics method that helps to improve buyers’ cross-border shopping experience.
Against the background of the development of cross-border e-commerce, the traditional international multimodal transport service system has not adapted to the development requirements of the situation. Today’s international multimodal transport is not a simple combination of several modes of transport, nor a single transport service, but to create a comprehensive, intelligent, and integrated modern integrated logistics service system, to coordinate the solution of transportation services, trade services, and regulatory services, and to break through the barriers of customs, transportation, warehousing, transactions, and other multi-factor, multi-link, and multi-node barriers, so that consumers in various countries can enjoy efficient modern logistics services quickly, safely, and at low cost.