“Ocean & Air Shipping From China to UK
While it is technically possible to import from China to the UK via overland rail services, most shippers prefer to transport their imported goods by sea or air. For this reason, this page is entirely focused on using sea and air freight services as a way to export from China to the UK.
Most commercial organisations importing from China to the UK choose sea freight as it is usually the most economical way to transport goods over long distances.
Assuming your goods can be shipped in containers, LCL and FCL are the two most logical options. Alternatively, air freight is faster than shipping a container from China to the UK. However, the benefits of speed do come at a rather high price.
Shipping from China to UK
FCL by sea
FCL, or Full Container Load, is when your cargo fills an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container. If you’re shipping in bulk, you can save time and money by shipping FCL. FCL pricing is flat whether your container is completely full or not.
LCL by sea
LCL or less than container load means your cargo will not fill the entire container and will be shipped with other boxes or pallets. Please note that when you ship LCL, your cargo needs to be consolidated at the port of origin and unpacked at the port of destination.
This is the reason why LCL shipping takes several days than FCL shipping.
Air Freight from China to the UK
Airfreighting your shipment from China to the UK can be expensive, depending on the size of the shipment, but there are many reasons why this is still the best option for you.
These might include time-sensitive shipments that need to be delivered in days instead of weeks, or you might want to send a certain amount of inventory before ocean shipping.
Maybe the delivery destination is closer to the airport than the port, or the item is of high value or
perishable.
Whatever your goals, it is essential to use a reputable forwarder to ensure smooth deliveries.
How much does it cost to ship from China to the UK?
Freight rates have been rising and falling. Therefore, the only way to accurately assess shipping costs when importing from China to the UK is to get a quote from a freight forwarder. Quotations from all forwarders will be based on calculations taking into account the following factors:
1. Market demand and availability of freight capacity
2. Fuel cost
3. The type of goods you wish to ship
4. The amount of shipping that constitutes your shipment
5. The shipping method you want to use
6. Door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door or door-to-port service of your choice
A range of other conditions are also considered in the freight forwarder’s pricing calculations, so it is not realistic to provide any true indication of shipping costs on this page. However, the following rough guide can at least help you understand the comparative costs of different shipping methods and freight volumes.
1. Although air freight is usually expensive, the cost of importing goods under 100kg from China to the UK by air may not be much higher than LCL sea freight.
2. For shipments weighing more than 100kg, sea freight will almost certainly be more economical than air freight.
3. FCL shipping is the most affordable way to ship bulk goods from China to the UK. Even if your cargo doesn’t fill the container, sometimes it can be cheaper than LCL shipping.
4. For shipments over 100kg but less than six pallets, LCL will be your lowest cost shipping option.
If your planned cargo weighs less than 35kg, it may not make sense to hire a freight forwarder. Most freight forwarders will not handle that small load. In any case, the courier company will ship your goods at a more affordable price.
How long does it take to ship from China to the UK?
The rule of thumb for lead time (under normal conditions) is: 1-2 weeks for regular mail, 3 days for air express, 8-10 days for air, and 30-40 days for sea.
These estimates can be affected by a number of circumstances, especially in current markets, so it’s worth checking with your logistics provider. As things stand, delays are expected.
Post regularly
Shipping from China by surface mail takes a long time. China Post offers faster and more cost-effective options for airmail and express mail (EMS), both of which can take one to two weeks.
If the paperwork appears to be problematic, the customs agency will not give priority to releasing the package. So increase your chances of posting regularly in as little as a week by checking that the vendor is getting the paperwork correctly before sending.
Express Options
When shipping from China via international express, it takes at least three days to pick up at the supplier’s door in China (unless the supplier has delivered the package to their warehouse). If it’s really urgent, there are more expensive premium services that can even be delivered overnight.
air transport
Standard air freight between China and the UK generally takes around 8-10 days. It’s not that planes are slower; it comes down to the fact that the air freight process is more complicated than express freight.
ocean freight
Door-to-door shipping from China to the UK takes at least 30-40 days, the longest delivery time is by sea. That’s because boats move much slower than planes.
In addition to the extra preparation, ocean liners slow down as much as possible to save fuel (and money).
On top of that, port congestion, customs delays and adverse weather conditions affect ocean freight more than air freight.
Sino-British customs clearance
Customs clearance often confuses companies that move goods across borders. In particular, SMEs sometimes struggle to navigate the complexities of this necessary and sometimes puzzling aspect of global logistics.
For this reason, it may be a good idea for your business to leave customs clearance and compliance to a freight forwarder. Some freight forwarders have in-house customs clearance agents working for them. Others work with customs brokers to handle customs formalities on behalf of clients. Either way, they can save you a lot of heartache and energy in exchange for a proper fee.
While having a freight forwarder on your side can ease the pain of customs clearance, your business still needs to perform some tasks to meet formal requirements. Some of the documentation required to clear your shipment will be the responsibility of your business. You will either need to fill it out and file or make sure you have them available for inspection by customs authorities.
The documents (or electronic documents in some cases) that Chinese and UK customs officials typically expect to see are as follows:
1. Commercial Invoice
2. Packing list
3. Certificate of Origin
4. Letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
5. Ocean bill of lading or air waybill (your freight forwarder should provide this)
From time to time, you may find that Customs requires additional documentation, depending on the type of cargo you are shipping. For example, the UK or Chinese government may insist on some kind of certificate, permit or license. Therefore, it is always worth checking requirements with your freight forwarder, especially if you are shipping a specific product or material for the first time.
Tips to reduce shipping costs and shipping times between China and the UK
1. Book in advance. Shipping by sea is the cheapest, but also takes the longest. Booking in advance can save you money and reduce stress in the event of delays.
2. Off-peak delivery. When a carrier is busy, both shipping prices and shipping times increase. Ship in low season whenever possible.
3. Organize your documents. When it comes to fast customs clearance, having your documents organized can play an important role.
4. Know your HS code. Many shippers are surprised by the extent to which customs fees can affect the cost of doing business. Do your research so you can budget effectively.
5. Compare quotes from different suppliers. Quotes may vary, so please review quotes from different providers before making a decision.
6. Understand what is included in the offer. Is your offer port to port or door to door? What services does it include? Know what you’re paying so you don’t get hit with unexpected charges.”
