Shipping from China to UK
China and the UK have close trade ties, covering electronic products, machinery and equipment, clothing and textiles, furniture and all kinds of daily necessities. For companies and individuals who want to import from China to the UK, choosing the right logistics method is crucial. As a professional international logistics service provider, Bestlink Logistics provides a full range of solutions such as sea, air, rail and door-to-door delivery to ensure that your goods are delivered to their destinations safely and efficiently.
We are committed to providing customers with reliable and cost-effective logistics services, covering the entire transportation from major ports and airports in China to major destinations in the UK. Whether it is full container load (FCL), less than container load (LCL) sea transportation, or fast air transportation, we can tailor the best logistics solution for you to meet your different needs.
What can we do when shipping from China to UK?
Sea Freight FCL from China to the UK
- Shipping from China to the Port of Felixstowe, Port of London, Port of Southampton in the UK
- We provide 20ft, 40ft and 40HQ standard container transportation, suitable for bulk goods.
- Professional team assists with customs clearance and document processing to reduce uncertainty during transportation.
Sea Freight LCL from China to the UK
- Providing LCL services for small batches of cargo to effectively reduce transportation costs.
- Flexible shipping plans for a variety of cargo types.
- Professional cargo consolidation services to ensure that goods arrive at their destination safely and efficiently.
Air Freight from China to the UK
- A fast and efficient mode of transport suitable for time-sensitive goods, with air freight time of 2 to 7 days.
- Covering major airports from China to the UK, with flexible flight options.
- Provide cargo tracking services to understand the progress of transportation in real time.
Rail transport from China to the UK
- Shipping from major Chinese rail hubs such as Xi’an, Chongqing or Chengdu to major destinations in the UK
- We offer 40ft container options suitable for bulk cargo and a variety of cargo types.
- Our team assists with customs clearance and documentation to ensure a smooth and efficient shipping process.
Door to Door Shipping from China to the UK
- One-stop service from China to the customer’s designated address in the UK.
- Covering the entire process of cargo transportation, customs clearance, and distribution.
- Save time and energy, customers do not need to worry about complex logistics links.
DDP Shipping from China to the UK
- Provide a “delivery after duty paid” model, the seller bears all transportation and taxes from China to the UK.
- Including customs clearance and tax payment, ensure that customers can easily receive the goods.
- Professional team supervises the whole process to reduce potential risks in transportation.
Table of Contents
How to Ship from China to UK
Shipping from China to the UK involves multiple links, including choosing the right mode of transport, handling customs clearance, calculating freight and estimated shipping time. Whether you are a business or an individual, you need to understand the entire shipping process to ensure that the goods arrive smoothly.
1. Choose the right mode of transport
There are three main modes of shipping from China to the UK: sea freight, air freight and rail freight. Sea freight is suitable for bulk goods, with lower costs but longer transportation time; air freight is fast and suitable for high-value or urgent goods; rail freight is between the two and is suitable for goods that have a balance between timeliness and cost.
2. Prepare the necessary documents
No matter which mode of transport you choose, you need to provide the correct documents, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading (B/L), certificates of origin (CO), and import licenses required by UK customs.
3. Choose the right logistics company
Working with a reliable freight forwarder, such as Bestlink Logistics, can help you arrange transportation more efficiently, provide customs clearance services, and optimize transportation costs.
4. Understand the customs clearance requirements of the UK
The UK Customs has strict supervision on imported goods. Importers must comply with tax policies and pay tariffs and value-added tax (VAT) on time. Knowing the relevant regulations in advance can avoid the goods being detained or delayed.
5. Calculate transportation time and cost
Different transportation methods correspond to different transportation times and costs. Sea freight usually takes 25-45 days, air freight 3-7 days, and rail freight 16-25 days. Freight is affected by the weight, volume, destination and transportation method of the goods.
Best Ways to Ship from China to the UK
Sea Freight: If you are not in a hurry but need to ship a large amount of goods, sea freight is an affordable option from China to the UK. Sea freight is slower but can handle large quantities of goods and is the preferred choice for bulk shipments. Delays may occur due to weather or port issues, but sea freight is a reliable and affordable mode of transportation.
Air Freight: This is the fastest mode of transportation from China to the UK and is ideal for situations where time is of the essence. It is particularly suitable for items that need to be shipped quickly, such as fresh food or expensive electronics. Although it is more expensive than other methods, it is chosen for its speed and reliability.
Railway transport: Railway transport is a fast and reliable way of transporting goods between China and the UK, especially for goods that need to take into account both timeliness and economy. Through the transportation network of China-Europe Express, goods can depart from major Chinese cities such as Yiwu, Chengdu, Chongqing, and directly reach British logistics hubs such as London. Railway transport provides customers with stable transportation timeliness and convenient cross-border services, and is an ideal alternative to sea and air transport.
Express: Express is a fast and safe mode of transportation, suitable for urgent and small quantities of goods. It’s faster than ocean shipping and has real-time tracking, but it costs more and has size and weight restrictions. If you want to send an important item quickly, this may be your best option.
Door-to-Door (DDP) Service: This is the most worry-free way to ship from China to the UK. The shipping company will take care of everything from pickup to delivery, including customs formalities. This service gives you peace of mind and convenience, but it may cost slightly more.
Sea Freight from China to the UK
Sea freight is a common and economical mode of transport from China to the UK. Sea freight is suitable for large, heavy or non-urgent goods, such as furniture, machinery and equipment, building materials, textiles, etc. Full container load (FCL) is suitable for large quantities of goods, while less-than-container load (LCL) is suitable for small quantities of goods.
Full container load (FCL) is suitable for large quantities of goods. Common containers are 20 feet and 40 feet. The volume of a 20-foot container is about 28-30 cubic meters and the maximum load is 22 tons; the volume of a 40-foot container is about 65-68 cubic meters and the maximum load is 27 tons.
Less-than-container load (LCL) is for customers with small quantities of goods. It is charged by volume or weight, about US$80-300 per cubic meter and about US$1-3 per kilogram. For example, the freight for 500 kilograms and 1.5 cubic meters of goods is about US$120-400 by volume.
From China, the main ports are Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, etc., while in the UK, London, Liverpool, Southampton, etc. are important destination ports. Shipping companies will call at different ports according to the route, and may stop at transit ports such as Singapore and Dubai on the way. Reasonable route planning can reduce costs and shorten transportation time. When loading and unloading goods at the port, ensure that the packaging can withstand the pressure of lifting and stacking to avoid damage.
Air Freight from China to the UK
Air freight has the advantages of fast speed and strong timeliness, and is suitable for high-value goods or fresh products that are urgently needed. The general cargo air freight line focuses on ordinary daily necessities, textiles, etc., and the billing is based on the larger value of weight or volume weight (length × width × height ÷ 6000, in centimeters). For example, a batch of 50 kg of goods with a total volume of 1×1×1 meter (volume weight 166.67 kg) costs 4-8 US dollars per kilogram, and the total freight calculated by volume weight is about 667-1667 US dollars, and the transportation time is 3-7 working days.
Sensitive goods such as food and electrical products are more expensive due to high transportation risks. Take food as an example, 20 kg, volume 0.8×0.8×0.8 m (volume weight 85.33 kg), freight per kg 6-10 USD, total freight by volume weight is about 683-1083 USD, transportation time 4-8 working days.
Major cities for air transportation from China include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, etc. Direct flights to London, Manchester and other cities in the UK can greatly shorten transportation time, and some routes transit through Frankfurt, Dubai, etc. Airlines such as Air China, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, etc. provide a variety of services, and freight forwarding companies can book suitable flight space according to demand.
Major ports and airports in the UK
Major ports in the UK:
- Port of Felixstowe – the largest and busiest container port in the UK, handling most of the Far East imports.
- Port of London – located in the UK capital, suitable for a variety of freight needs, including bulk cargo and container transportation.
- Port of Southampton – one of the main deep-water ports in the UK, suitable for large cargo ships to dock, especially for car and container transportation.
- Port of Liverpool – suitable for cargo distribution in the northern market, connecting to the Atlantic route.
- Port of Tilbury – an important port in the London area, focusing on general cargo and container transportation.
Major airports in the UK:
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR) – the largest international airport in the UK, with the largest air cargo handling volume, suitable for express and high-value cargo transportation.
- Manchester Airport (MAN) – the main international airport in the north of the UK, which can handle a large amount of international freight.
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW) – Suitable for air cargo from China to the south of the UK.
- Birmingham Airport (BHX) – Suitable for cargo transportation in the central region, reducing inland transportation costs.
Rail transport from China to the UK
In recent years, China-Europe Express has become a very promising mode of transport from China to the UK. Relying on the railway network, it departs from inland cities in China such as Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, etc., exits the country through ports such as Alashankou or Horgos in Xinjiang, and crosses Central Asia, Russia, and the European continent to reach the UK.
The cost calculation comprehensively considers the weight, volume, and transportation route of the goods. Generally, for goods weighing more than 1,000 kilograms, the freight is about 3-5 US dollars per kilogram. For example, for goods weighing 1,500 kilograms and a volume of 4 cubic meters, the total freight is about 4,500-7,500 US dollars. The transportation time is 18-25 days, which is faster than sea transportation and cheaper than air transportation. It is suitable for electronic products, mechanical parts and other goods that have requirements for timeliness and pursue cost-effectiveness.
China-Europe Express has fixed schedules and routes, and the transportation process is relatively stable, and is less affected by weather and port congestion. However, due to different railway gauges, transshipment operations are required at the border. Freight forwarding companies must coordinate the transshipment process to ensure smooth connection of goods.
During transportation, the location of the goods can be tracked through the China-Europe Express information platform, and preparations for receiving the goods in the UK can be made in advance. As China-UK trade deepens, the China-Europe Express is expected to further optimize routes, reduce costs, and inject new impetus into the economic and trade exchanges between the two countries.
Cost of shipping from China to the UK
The cost of shipping from China to the UK is affected by many factors, including the mode of transportation, type of goods, weight, additional charges, etc.
The cost of sea freight is relatively low. For example, a 20ft container costs about $2,200-4,500, and a 40ft container costs $2,800-5,200, but it is greatly affected by fuel, port congestion, and exchange rate fluctuations. LCL costs $80-300 per cubic meter and $1-3 per kilogram. The volume-to-weight ratio of the goods affects the billing method.
Air freight has a high cost due to its high speed. General goods start at $4-8 per kilogram, and sensitive goods start at $6-10. It is charged by weight or volume weight. You can refer to: How is the Cost of Air Freight from China Calculated. Large and light goods cost more. Expedited services and direct flights will also charge extra.
Railway transportation costs about 3-5 USD per kilogram, and the railway transportation cost of a 40-foot container is between 6,800-9,800 USD. It has cost advantages for bulk goods of more than 1,000 kg, with moderate transportation time, stable costs, and less interference from short-term market fluctuations. You can refer to the following table:
| Shipping Mode | Shipping From China to the UK(Cost) |
|---|---|
| Sea freight LCL (per cubic meter) | $80 – $300 |
| Sea freight FCL (20ft container) | $2,200 to $4,500 |
| Sea freight FCL (40ft container) | $2,850 to $5,250 |
| Rail transport FCL (40ft container) | $6,800 to $9,800 |
| Air Freight (100kg) | $4 to $10 per kilogram |
| Express Cost (30kg) | $10 per kilogram |
In addition to the basic freight from China to the UK, there are also surcharges, such as ocean fuel surcharges, peak season surcharges, air freight security inspection fees, over-length and overweight fees, etc. If the value of the goods is high, insurance premiums must also be considered, which account for about 0.1% – 1% of the value of the goods.
Cost of shipping 20ft and 40ft containers from China to the UK
The cost of shipping containers from China to the UK depends on a variety of factors, including the type of FCL you use (20ft, 40ft, 40HQ containers) and fluctuating shipping costs in the market. Below is a list of the cheapest prices for shipping various goods to the UK from major Chinese ports using 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL).
| Container Shipping Routes | Container Type | Sea freight rates from China to the UK |
| Shanghai, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $2850 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3550 40FT | |
| Shenzhen, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $2650 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3450 40FT | |
| Ningbo-Zhouhsan, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3050 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $4050 40FT | |
| Hongkong, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $2950 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $4150 40FT | |
| Guangzhou, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $2950 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3850 40FT | |
| Qingdao, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3350 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $4250 40FT | |
| Tianjin, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3450 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $4350 40FT | |
| Dalian, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3650 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $4550 40FT | |
| Xiamen, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3200 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $4000 40FT | |
| Yingkou, China – the UK | 20ft container FCL | Average Rates: $3250 20FT |
| 40ft container FCL | Average Rates: $4250 40FT |
Additional costs of shipping from China to the UK
- Customs clearance costs:
China export customs clearance costs: 50 – 150 USD.
The UK import customs clearance costs: 60 – 200 USD, depending on the type of cargo. - Insurance:
Optional but recommended, costs 0.15% – 0.25% of the cargo value. - Port handling fees:
Port handling fees at the UK arrival ports are usually 80 to 150 USD per container. - Documentation fees:
Preparing bills of lading and other documents usually costs 20 to 40 USD.
How long does it take to ship from China to the UK?
Sea freight from China to the UK is the slowest but most economical, with 25-40 days for full container transport and 30-45 days for LCL transport. It is affected by port loading and unloading efficiency, route planning, weather, etc. For example, during the typhoon season, ships may be delayed in docking, and ice at Nordic ports in winter may restrict navigation. Freight forwarding companies will pay attention in advance and adjust their strategies, such as rerouting or delaying shipments to avoid risks.
| 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 | Southampton | 33-39 days |
| Shenzhen | Southampton | 31-40 days |
| Ningbo | Southampton | 30-38 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 from China to the UK is fast, 3-7 working days for general goods and 4-8 working days for sensitive goods. Direct flights are fast, and transit may increase by 1-2 days. Flight frequency and space tension also affect the high demand for travel during the peak season, making it difficult to book space and extending the transportation time.
Railway transportation from China to the UK takes about 18-25 days, which is relatively stable. Due to fixed flights and routes, there are rarely major delays unless there is a change of clothes at the border or extreme weather. However, the severe cold in winter in parts of Central Asia and Russia may temporarily affect the operating speed.
Customers choose the mode of transportation according to the degree of urgency. Urgent orders are shipped by air, non-urgent orders and large quantities are shipped by sea, taking into account both timeliness and cost. At the same time, we work closely with freight forwarders to track in real time to ensure that the goods are delivered on time.
Door to Door Shipping from China to the UK
Door to Door Shipping from China to the UK provides customers with one-stop convenience, covering the entire process from picking up goods from the place of shipment in China, transportation, customs clearance to door-to-door delivery at the destination in the UK. Freight forwarding companies play a key role in this, first assessing the situation of the goods and formulating personalized transportation plans.
During the pickup phase, the freight forwarder arranges vehicles to go to Chinese factories, warehouses, etc. on time to ensure timely transfer of goods. During the transportation phase, sea, air or rail transportation is selected according to the characteristics of the goods and timeliness requirements. For example, large quantities of clothing goods are mostly shipped by sea, and high-value goods are shipped by air. When declaring and clearing customs, professional knowledge is used to prepare documents and respond to customs inspections to speed up the process.
During the door-to-door delivery phase, the freight forwarder’s cooperative network in the UK plays a role in accurately delivering the goods to the designated address, whether it is a commercial address or a private address. In terms of cost, it is more cost-effective than operating each link separately, taking into account the weight, volume, transportation distance, service requirements, etc. of the goods. For example, for a batch of 2 tons and 6 cubic meters of goods, the door-to-door shipping cost is about 3,000-5,000 US dollars, and the air freight cost is about 10,000-15,000 US dollars.
The main methods of door to door shipping from China to the UK:
- Air door to door: suitable for goods with high timeliness requirements, such as electronic products, fashion products, etc., usually takes 7-10 days.
- Ocean door to door: suitable for large quantities or large goods, such as furniture, mechanical equipment, etc., and the transportation time takes about 30-45 days.
- Railway transportation door to door: transported to Europe by China-Europe Express, and then transferred to the UK by land. The timeliness is between air freight and sea freight, generally taking 20-25 days.
DDP Shipping from China to the UK
DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) means that the shipper bears all risks and costs of shipping the goods to the designated destination in the UK, including tariffs, VAT and other taxes. This method allows the consignee to not worry about complicated customs clearance and tax payment matters, which greatly facilitates the trade process. It is especially suitable for cross-border e-commerce, Amazon FBA, B2B trade and importers who want to simplify the logistics process.
Before choosing DDP service, the shipper must accurately calculate the cost, not only the transportation fee, but also the possible high taxes and fees. For example, for electronic products, the tariff rate may be 0% – 10%, and the VAT rate is 20%, which needs to be accurately estimated based on the value of the goods. Freight forwarding companies are crucial here. With their familiarity with British customs policies, they can accurately classify goods, declare values, reasonably avoid taxes and ensure compliance.
During transportation, the safety and timeliness of goods should be paid attention to as with ordinary transportation. The packaging must meet the requirements, sea transportation should be resistant to seawater erosion, and air transportation should be resistant to turbulence. Once the goods arrive in the UK, the freight forwarder will quickly handle customs clearance procedures, pay taxes and fees, and deliver the goods to the consignee on time. For customers who are not familiar with UK customs procedures, DDP service can effectively reduce trade risks and enhance market competitiveness.
Amazon FBA from China to the UK
For Chinese cross-border e-commerce sellers to ship goods to the UK Amazon FBA warehouse, they must first register an Amazon seller account and obtain FBA shipping permissions. After that, prepare the goods according to Amazon’s requirements, the packaging must meet FBA standards, affix designated labels, indicate product information, barcodes, etc.
The transportation method is mostly sea or air transportation. Sea transportation is suitable for large-scale replenishment, low cost, and inventory can be planned in advance; air transportation is used for emergency replenishment and quick listing. Freight forwarding companies provide FBA head-leg services, transport goods from China to the UK FBA warehouse, assist in customs declaration and clearance, and ensure that the goods are smoothly warehoused.
In terms of cost, the sea FBA head-leg costs 100-300 US dollars per cubic meter, and air transportation costs 5-10 US dollars per kilogram, including transportation, customs declaration, customs clearance, etc. Sellers should pay attention to Amazon’s inventory performance indicators and arrange shipments reasonably to avoid inventory backlogs or out-of-stock. At the same time, we maintained communication with freight forwarders and Amazon customer service to promptly resolve transportation and warehousing issues, improve store operating efficiency, and seize opportunities in the UK e-commerce market.
Customs clearance and tariffs from China to the UK
The customs clearance process for importing from China to the UK includes submitting relevant documents, paying tariffs and VAT, etc. The customs clearance time is generally 1-3 days, depending on the type of goods and customs clearance efficiency.
The documents required for customs clearance from China to the UK include:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading/airway bill
- Certificate of origin
- Import license/permit
For customs clearance of UK imports, tariffs are determined by the classification of goods and the country of origin. The tax rates of different goods vary greatly, such as 5% – 12% for clothing, 0% – 15% for steel products, and 20% for VAT. The consignee or freight forwarder needs to submit bills of lading, commercial invoices, certificates of origin, etc. The customs assesses taxes and fees, inspects the goods, and releases them after compliance.
Some goods have preferential policies, and tariffs on some goods are reduced or exempted under the China-UK Free Trade Agreement; in specific areas such as the UK Free Trade Zone, goods entering the zone are taxed later and enjoy processing convenience. Freight forwarders are familiar with policies and can assist customers in classifying goods, applying for discounts, avoiding unnecessary tax expenditures, ensuring smooth customs clearance, and promoting smooth trade.
Freight forwarding from China to the UK
As a bridge for transport from China to the UK, freight forwarding companies tailor transportation strategies for customers. From the beginning of cargo consultation, we understand the details of the cargo, such as fragile goods need special packaging and transportation guarantees, and chemical products need compliance identification. Based on this, we recommend transportation methods. For example, 500 kg of medicines are sensitive goods, so air transportation of sensitive goods is recommended.
In the customs declaration process, freight forwarding companies are proficient in the customs laws and regulations of China and the UK, fill in declaration forms, prepare certificates of origin, commercial invoices and other documents, and avoid goods being detained due to incorrect declarations. During customs clearance, agents in the UK intervene in advance, communicate and coordinate with customs to speed up release.
In terms of transportation arrangements, we integrate sea, air and rail resources to optimize routes and capacity. For example, during the peak season of sea transportation, we rationally allocate containers and choose alternative routes to avoid congestion; if air transportation encounters flight delays, we promptly change or transfer flights. We also provide value-added services, such as warehousing, labeling, and distribution, to meet the diverse needs of cross-border e-commerce customers.
What are the advantages of choosing Bestlink Logistics to ship from China to the UK?
Cooperate with top shipping companies
Bestlink Logistics has good cooperation with the world’s leading shipping companies, you can rest assured that your goods will arrive in the UK intact.
Most competitive freight rates
Saving freight is the top priority of every importer. If you want to enjoy competitive freight rates, you can consider hiring a reputable freight forwarder like Bestlink Logistics to enjoy more favorable prices.
Multiple modes of transportation to the UK
Whether you plan to ship goods to the UK by air, sea, rail or express, you can get all the transportation services at Bestlink Logistics.
FAQ for shipping from China to the UK
The main modes of transportation from China to the UK include sea, air, rail and door to door services.
Sea: suitable for large quantities of goods, low cost, and transportation time is about 25-40 days.
Air: the fastest mode of transportation, suitable for urgent goods, generally available in 5-7 days.
Rail: China-Europe Express is a popular choice in recent years, and the transportation time is between sea and air, about 18-25 days.
Door to door transportation: including customs clearance and final distribution, suitable for customers who are not familiar with international logistics, and can choose DDP (delivery after duty paid) mode.
The choice of sea freight or air freight depends on the type of goods, transportation time requirements and budget.
Sea freight is suitable for large and heavy goods, with low freight costs but longer time.
Air freight is suitable for small quantities, high-value or urgent goods, with fast transportation time but higher costs.
If the goods are large in volume but need to be transported quickly, rail transportation may be a better choice with a higher cost-effectiveness.
Main ports (for sea freight):
Felixstowe Port – the largest container port in the UK
Southampton Port – suitable for automobiles and retail goods
Liverpool Port – an important logistics hub in the northern region
Main airports (for air freight):
London Heathrow Airport – the largest and busiest cargo airport in the UK
Manchester Airport – suitable for air freight needs in northern England
Birmingham Airport – suitable for cargo distribution in the central region
Sea freight: 25-40 days, depending on the specific port and route.
Air freight: 5-7 days, the specific time is affected by flight arrangements and customs clearance speed.
Railway transportation: 18-25 days, faster than sea freight and cheaper than air freight.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means that the seller is responsible for paying all import duties and value-added tax (VAT) to ensure that the goods are delivered to the buyer after customs clearance.
Applicable to Amazon FBA, individual buyers, corporate importers and other customers who are not familiar with the customs clearance process.
Applicable to goods such as clothing, electronic products, and mechanical parts to avoid additional customs clearance troubles.
Freight calculation usually depends on the weight, volume, mode of transportation and additional charges of the goods:
Ocean freight: charged by cubic meter (CBM) or full container (FCL), about $1000-$5000 per 40-foot container.
Air freight: charged by actual weight or volume weight (volume/6000), $4-$10 per kilogram.
Railway transportation: more expensive than sea freight, but cheaper than air freight, the price depends on the station and the type of goods.
Door-to-door service may include additional fees such as customs clearance fees, taxes, warehousing, etc. It is recommended to consult the quotation in advance.
Goods imported into the UK usually require the following documents:
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)
Certificate of Origin (CO)
EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) (must be provided for corporate imports)
Product compliance certification (such as CE certification) (applicable to electronic products, medical equipment, etc.)
Customs Duty: Calculated according to the HS Code, generally between 0% and 12%.
Value Added Tax (VAT): The standard VAT rate in the UK is 20%, and some goods are subject to a lower rate of 5% or 0%.
Customs clearance fees: such as customs agency fees, document processing fees, etc.
In order to avoid customs clearance problems, it is recommended to confirm the required taxes and fees with the freight forwarding company in advance.