The UK has close trade relations with China, and China is one of the UK’s important trading partners worldwide. China is the UK’s third largest trading partner, mainly importing electronic products, textiles and clothing, and machinery and equipment from China. This article will provide a detailed introduction to shipping from China to the UK.
Introduction to the UK
Located in northwest Europe, close to major European economies such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, the UK is a hub for global trade, with efficient sea and air transport suitable for all types of goods. The following are major trading ports and airports:
- Port of Felixstowe: The largest container port in the UK, handling nearly half of all shipping containers
- Port of London: Suitable for bulk and bulk cargo transportation (such as oil, chemicals, and food), with complete logistics and warehousing facilities.
- Port of Liverpool: the largest port on the west coast of the UK, one of the main ports for importing industrial equipment and building materials from China
- London Heathrow Airport: the largest cargo airport in the UK and the busiest in Europe, handling a large amount of air cargo from China.
- East Midlands Airport: the UK’s express freight center, where international express companies such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS set up bases, suitable for e-commerce logistics and cross-border small package transportation.
- Manchester Airport: handles about 100,000 tons of cargo each year, suitable for manufacturing, electronic products, and medical equipment transportation.
Why Choose Ubest Shipping as your China-UK Freight Forwarder?
When it comes to international logistics, it is crucial to choose an experienced and comprehensive freight forwarder. We provide efficient and reliable China-UK transportation solutions to ensure that your goods are delivered safely and on time.
- Professional team: with many years of international logistics experience and familiar with UK import regulations.
- Multiple modes of transportation: providing sea, air and express services.
- High-quality customs clearance services: ensure that your goods pass customs quickly to avoid additional delays.
- Transparent costs: no hidden fees, all costs are listed in detail.
- Door-to-door service: a one-stop solution that provides customs clearance, tax processing, and delivery to a designated address in the UK.
How to Ship from China to the UK
Depending on the type of goods, timeliness requirements and cost budget, you can choose between air and sea transportation. The following are the characteristics and applicable scenarios of the two modes of transportation
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the most common mode of transportation, which is cost-effective and suitable for large and heavy items. It mainly provides two types of sea transportation services: FCL and LCL
- Full container load (FCL): suitable for larger goods, you can use a container alone, which is safer.
- Less than container load (LCL): suitable for small quantities of goods, multiple customers share a container, the cost is lower, but the customs clearance time may be longer.
Air Freight
Air Freight is the fastest mode of transportation and is the best choice for businesses that need to quickly and reliably transport goods from China to the UK. The efficiency and speed of air transportation are essential to maintaining the supply chain and meeting tight deadlines, thereby providing a competitive advantage in the global market.
Shipping Cost from China to the UK
There are mainly air and sea freight from China to the UK. Choosing sea freight or air freight depends on various factors, including budget, urgency, and the nature of the goods.
Sea Freight Cost from China to the UK
The cost of shipping by sea is mainly calculated based on the size of the container, and the cost of LCL is mainly calculated based on the volume of the goods. It is also affected by the following factors
- Distance and route: The shipping route and distance between the port of departure or airport and the port of destination will affect the cost. Direct routes are usually more cost-effective.
- Fuel prices: Fuel price fluctuations affect shipping costs because fuel is a significant part of shipping costs.
- Seasonality and demand: Peak seasons, such as before holidays and the Chinese New Year, increase demand for shipping services, leading to higher freight rates.
- Type of goods: Special handling requirements for fragile, perishable or dangerous goods may increase shipping costs.
The following are common ranges of sea freight costs:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | London | $75-$165 | $1950-$2450 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | London | $80-$145 | $1900-$3300 | $3500-$5000 |
| Ningbo | London | $70-$155 | $2050-$3650 | $3450-$5050 |
| Shanghai | Felixstowe | $85-$145 | $1800-$3500 | $3650-$4850 |
| Shenzhen | Felixstowe | $85-$145 | $1900-$3400 | $3500-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Felixstowe | $80-$145 | $1850-$3350 | $3750-$4950 |
| Shanghai | Liverpool | $70-$135 | $1950-$2450 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Liverpool | $70-$155 | $1900-$3400 | $3650-$4850 |
| Ningbo | Liverpool | $80-$145 | $2000-$3400 | $3500-$4800 |
Air Freight Cost from China to the UK
Air freight charges are calculated based on the volume and weight of the goods. The chargeable weight is the larger of the actual weight and the volume weight. The volume weight calculation formula is usually: Volume weight = length × width × height (cm³) ÷ 6000.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (UK) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | London Heathrow | $6.0 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | London Heathrow | $5.2 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | London Heathrow | $6.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Manchester | $5.5 – $9.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Manchester | $6.3 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Manchester | $5.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Birmingham | $6.0 – $8.5 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Birmingham | $6.5 – $10.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Birmingham | $5.0 – $9.0 |
Refer to the cost of shipping from China to other regions:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Germany?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to France?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to the Netherlands?
Shipping Time from China to the UK
When preparing and planning supply chain sourcing from China to the UK, it is crucial to consider the specific time required to transport goods via different modes of transport. Each mode of transport has different speeds and is also affected by the following factors:
- Seasonal factors: Peak shipping periods, such as the weeks before holidays or during the Chinese New Year, often lead to congestion at ports and airports, causing delays.
- Weather conditions: Severe weather conditions may cause flight delays, route changes, or shipping delays.
- Port and terminal efficiency: The operational efficiency of ports and terminals, including the speed of the loading and unloading process and the availability of equipment, affects the overall transportation time.
Sea Freight Time from China to the UK
It takes about 30 to 40 days to travel from major ports in China, through the Suez Canal, to major ports in the UK. The following is the transportation time range:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | London | 30-38 days |
| Shenzhen | London | 32-40 days |
| Ningbo | London | 31-39 days |
| Shanghai | Felixstowe | 30-39 days |
| Shenzhen | Felixstowe | 31-38 days |
| Ningbo | Felixstowe | 31-40 days |
| Shanghai | Liverpool | 33-40 days |
| Shenzhen | Liverpool | 30-39 days |
| Ningbo | Liverpool | 32-40 days |
Air Freight Time from China to the UK
Air freight is the fastest mode of transport. There are direct flights from China to the UK. Air cargo scheduled flights also show higher predictability and lower delay frequency compared to other modes of transport. The following are the transportation time ranges:
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Ireland) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | London Heathrow | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | London Heathrow | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | London Heathrow | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Manchester | 5-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Manchester | 4-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Manchester | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Birmingham | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Birmingham | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Birmingham | 4-6 days |
Learn about shipping times from China to other regions:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the Netherlands?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Germany?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to France
DDP Shipping from China to UK
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is an international trade term that means the seller (i.e. freight forwarder or supplier) is responsible for transporting the goods to the buyer’s designated location and completing all customs clearance, duties and value-added tax (VAT) payments. Here are the advantages of using this service
- Convenience: Freight forwarders handle all aspects of the shipping process, allowing businesses to focus on core activities without worrying about logistics.
- Cost-effectiveness: Consolidating services through a single provider can save costs as freight forwarders can use their networks and expertise to minimize expenses.
- Reduced Risk: With professional handling of documentation, customs clearance and transportation, the risk of delays, errors and additional costs can be minimized.
- End-to-end tracking: Continuous monitoring and tracking of shipments from origin to destination provides transparency and peace of mind.+
Detailed Steps for Shipping from China to the UK
Exporting a batch of materials from China to the UK requires consideration of multiple factors, including documents, packaging and labeling. All of these aspects are important if you want to ensure safe delivery of products, compliance with all laws and regulations, transportation convenience and customs procedures. Here are the detailed shipping steps:
Confirm product information
Confirm the category of goods. Cargo size and weight, cargo value (for calculating tariffs and VAT), packaging requirements (such as wooden boxes, cartons, pallets)
Determine the mode of transportation
Choose the appropriate method based on the volume, weight and timeliness of the goods
Check UK import requirements
- Whether CE certification, UKCA certification is required (some electronic products, machinery, toys, etc.)
- Whether it belongs to controlled goods (such as food, medicine, chemicals, etc.)
Contact the freight forwarder
Determine the most efficient and cost-effective route and service options, and provide a booking after confirming the space.
Transport and monitor goods
When transporting internationally, provide real-time tracking of goods and monitor the entire process from pickup to final delivery. Update your shipment status regularly, including changes in the estimated arrival time or potential delays.
UK customs clearance documents
Proper documentation and customs clearance are essential for smooth international shipping. Documents required for customs clearance:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill (AWB)
- Entry Summary Declaration
- EORI number (if it is a company import, a UK EORI number is required)
Final Delivery and Confirmation
Once the goods arrive at the destination port or airport, ensure that all logistics are handled smoothly. Confirmation and any necessary documents to verify that the cargo transportation has been successfully completed.
Transportation from China to the UK involves many links, and choosing a reliable freight forwarder is crucial. We provide one-stop logistics solutions to ensure that your goods arrive in the UK safely, efficiently and legally. If you have any transportation needs, please contact us for a detailed quote!