Shipping from China to UK
Do you want to start shipping from China to UK, Europe? DDPCH is there to offer you the best possible methods and conditions. This is nothing to worry about; we'll make things simple for you. Air freight, sea freight, and mixed methods of transportation are available to you under the guidance of our experts, just send a message to DDPCH!
Introduction
If you want to start shipping from China to UK, you’re looking for a source that answers all your questions, such as how to ship from China to the UK? How much does shipping from China to UK cost? How long does it take for shipping from China to the United Kingdom? Or what should you do for customs clearance in UK and China?
All of these questions will be answered in this DDPCH service! The DDPCH team has prepared a comprehensive guide for shipping from China to UK (United Kingdom). We provide various shipping methods based on your needs, including air freight, sea freight, door to door shipping, and express shipping from China to the UK. Our experts will work to help you with the best and most economical shipping solutions and customs clearance from China to UK!
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Table of Contents
Overview of customs clearance from China to UK
If you want to import any products like electrical machinery, equipment, parts thereof, boilers, furniture, bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions, and everything from China to UK, you must first ensure that you can enter the UK; actually, UK Customs is a border control unit that monitors and controls what is allowed to leave the country; when shipping from China to UK you must be knowledgeable in the customs clearance process. Most of our customers who import goods from China to the UK contact us for customs agents so you can use the DDPCH team to handle customs clearance in the UK, you do not need any documents for shipping from China to UK and all the documents will be provided by us.
You must select the commodity code for customs declaration because if you correctly classify your goods, you will know what duty and import VAT rate you should pay for your shipment, and remember that most Chinese goods imported into the UK will be subject to customs duties. For example, green tea has a 2% import duty, but black tea has a 0% import duty in UK customs; if you want to find any Duty charges, you can visit www.gov.uk/trade-tariff or contact your freight forwarding partner. VAT will be applied to the total cost of buying and shipping goods to the UK, including the cost of the goods, shipping, and any UK Duty. In the following, you can read about the necessary documents in this process.
Necessary document for customs clearance in the UK
In the important process of shipping from China to UK and completing the customs clearance process, the following documents must be prepared by the shipping company, you, or your seller, these documents include:
Bill of Lading
An airline or your shipping company, such as DDPCH, provides this official shipping document; it means ownership of the goods, so you can resell them. Please remember that you can only receive your shipment in the UK with a Bill of Lading.
Commercial Invoice or Proforma Invoice
If you order any goods from China, You are sure to receive a commercial invoice; the commercial invoice includes information about the buyer and seller, the type of goods, volume, costs of each product, and terms of sale. A commercial invoice is a preliminary bill of sale sent to buyers before goods are shipped or delivered, and Customs in the UK require the value of your goods to calculate the duty and tax you must pay.
EORI number
Customs uses an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number to track what is imported and exported, and You’ll need EORI to bring goods into the UK; DDPCH suggests applying for an EORI number because obtaining one takes more than a week, You can receive EORI on the UK government website.
Packing List
A packing list is a common shipping document in international trade that contains information about the contents of the exported goods, as the name implies. It is glued to the outside of the package and must be provided by you, including details of the shipment contents and how they are packed.
Prohibited & Restricted Items in UK
Like all countries around the world, there are many items that you can not import from China to UK, here we prepare an era list for you:
- Flick and Gravity Knives; knives with blades that open automatically by operation of a spring device, or released by gravity or centrifugal force
- Indecent or Obscene Material
- Offensive Weapons such as belt-buckle knives, death stars, throwing stars, and martial arts equipment, Pepper and similar sprays
- Asbestos
- Counterfeit coins and banknotes
- Counterfeit or pirated goods
- Goods bearing false origin statements
- Goods infringing a copyright
- Investigational Drugs
- Animal Hair and Wool
- All products containing the biocide dimethyl fumarate (DMF)
- Non-perishable foodstuff weighing more than 10 kg to private individuals
- Products containing meat or milk products including Whey Protein for personal consumption
The methods for shipping from China to UK
The UK is an island, so in shipping from China to UK, there are only two ways to get your products from China to UK: by air or by sea, and everyone is looking for a cheaper and faster method. DDPCH has four common and active methods in this shipping process, depending on the type of product, your budget, and your time limitations.
- Air freight from China to UK
- Sea freight from China to UK
- Door to Door shipping from China to UK
- Express shipping from China to UK
- Rail freight from China to UK
In the following, we will give you details of the tips, cost, and Transit time for each method.
Air freight from china to UK ( Air cargo )
Air freight from China to UK is a common method that is the most cost effective when shipment loads range between 300 and 500 kilograms, and many businessmen and companies prefer air freight service from China to UK. Air freight from China to the UK is generally faster than other methods, such as sea freight or rail freight, but it is more expensive. Every day more than 15 airlines have a flight from China to the UK that can ship package and goods from China, Like Cathay Dragon, Hong Kong Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines.
DDPCH, one of China’s largest and most important air shipping agents, can provide the best air cargo service from major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Yiwu, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong to the United Kingdom with Airports like London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick, Manchester, London-Stansted, London-Luton and Edinburgh.
When shipping products from China to the UK, the calculation of a product’s volume weight can be done in one of two ways: either by examining its actual or gross weight or by looking at its dimensions. The greater value of these two measurements is considered to be the volume weight of the product. to know about more information you can write in DDPCH Volume Weight blog.
What is the air cargo shipping process from China to UK?
- Step 1: Customer contact with the DDPCH sales team, our team helps customers to have the best price and transit time and solution in the market.
- Step 2: seller sends the package to the DDPCH warehouse in China.
- Step 3: we keep our customer’s package in our warehouse until the flight date.
- Step 4: DDPCH team preppers customs documents for export shipments from China.
- Step 5: We send the package to the airport in China.
- Step 6: After an inspection at the airport we load the shipment to an airplane.
- Step 7: Transit time from China to Russia takes 1-3 days.
- Step 8: We do customs clearance for our customers in the UK.
- Step 9: After finishing customs clearance in Russia we send the customer packages to his address in UK.
Air freight Cost from China to UK
air freight China to UK is usually more expensive than sea freight service but if you have a highly valuable product, choose air freight from China to UK to receive Healthy goods. The cost of your shipment will vary greatly depending on the load sent, value, and season, and here, we prepare an average of air freight costs from China to major UK cities:
| Origin | Destination | Cost per Kg ($) | Cost for 10 Kg ($) | Cost for 100 Kg ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | London | 5 | 50 | 500 |
| Shanghai | Manchester | 6 | 60 | 600 |
| Guangzhou | Birmingham | 5.5 | 55 | 550 |
| Shenzhen | Glasgow | 6.5 | 65 | 650 |
| Chengdu | Liverpool | 7 | 70 | 700 |
Air freight transit times from China to UK
The standard transit time for air freight between China and the UK typically takes 7-10 day and Several factors affect this, such as the value and weight of goods and selecting the city of origin in China and the city of destination in UK, are shown in the table below:
| From/To | London | Birmingham | Manchester | Liverpool | Glasgow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 2-4 days | 3-5 days | 3-5 days | 5-7 days | 2-4 days |
| Shenzhen | 2-4 days | 2-4 days | 5-7 days | 3-5 days | 2-4 days |
| Guangzhou | 2-4 days | 2-4 days | 2-4 days | 5-7 days | 3-5 days |
| Beijing | 2-4 days | 5-7 days | 5-7 days | 5-7 days | 2-4 days |
| Hongkong | 3-5 days | 2-4 days | 3-5 days | 2-4 days | 2-4 days |
| Tianjin | 2-4 days | 2-4 days | 2-4 days | 5-7 days | 3-5 days |
| Chengdu | 2-4 days | 5-7 days | 5-7 days | 5-7 days | 2-4 days |
| Dongguan | 3-5 days | 2-4 days | 3-5 days | 2-4 days | 2-4 days |
| Yiwu | 2-4 days | 2-4 days | 2-4 days | 5-7 days | 2-4 days |
Rail freight from China to the UK (Train cargo)
DDPCH Rail Freight is renowned for offering secure, reliable, and environmentally-friendly freight transportation via rail, connecting major business centers across Europe and Asia. This service is particularly favored by customers in the UK, providing both Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) and Full-Container-Load (FCL) options. Key Features and Benefits of DDPCH Rail Freight Shipping:
- Regular Departures: DDPCH ensures frequent departures from major business centers throughout Europe and Asia, enhancing accessibility and convenience.
- Fast and Secure LCL Transportation: DDPCH provides fast and secure transportation for LCL cargo, ensuring safety and timeliness with regular departures.
- Reliable Transit Times: The service offers defined and reliable transit times, thanks to a well-organized system with fixed timetables, unaffected by road traffic conditions.
- Safety: Railways transport is considered the safest mode for transporting goods, minimizing the risk of accidents and damage.
- Economical: Rail freight is cost-effective for long-distance transport, offering low prices without compromising on service quality.
Why Choose DDPCH for Rail Freight from China to the UK?
- Comprehensive Service: From pick-up and delivery by trailer or chassis truck to efficient handling of import, export, and transit formalities, DDPCH offers a complete service package.
- Customs Expertise: The customs procedures are handled both in China’s rail hub and in the customer bonded zone, ensuring compliance and smooth clearance.
- Daily Status Updates: Clients receive daily updates on their shipment’s status, offering transparency and peace of mind.
Sea freight from China to the UK
Sea freight from China to the Uk is the most popular cheap shipping method for international goods and if you want sea shipping from China to the UK, select the port closest to your destination. Sea freight typically refers to full containers(FCL), but if you need more material to fill an entire 20′ or 40′ container, shipping a less-than-container load (LCL) is usually worthwhile.
Several shipments are combined and packed into one container(LCL), and the forwarder must do more work when consolidating various shipments into a container before the main transit and de-consolidating the shipments at the other end.
At this moment more than ten sea shipping line have service from china to UK like APM-Maersk, MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company, COSCO – China Ocean Shipping Company, CMA-CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and ONE – Ocean Network Express, DDPCH team try to give you the best price with all of this company for shipping from china to the UK.
Sea freight cost from China to UK (FCL & LCL)
Shipping costs from China to UK are particular and have various ranges. Sea freight costs an average of 20% less than air freight from China to UK, and For large cargo volumes, it is cost effective. Here is an overview of the various sea freight costs from China to the UK according to FCL or LCL.
The blow table refers to sea freight costs from China to UK with different ports in China and UK
| From/To | Port of Felixstowe | Port of Southampton | Port of London | Port of Immingham | Port of Liverpool | Port of Hartlepool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | $850 | $850 | $850 | $4,852 | $850 | $850 |
| Shenzhen | $1,210 | $850 | $1,050 | $4,110 | $1,210 | $850 |
| Ningbo | $850 | $980 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $850 | $980 |
| Guangzhou | $850 | $980 | $1,420 | $1,420 | $850 | $980 |
| Hong Kong | $1,210 | $850 | $1,420 | $850 | $1,210 | $850 |
| Qingdao | $1,100 | $980 | $1,210 | $1,050 | $1,100 | $980 |
| Tianjin | $1,210 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $850 | $1,210 | $1,100 |
| Xiamen | $850 | $850 | $1,100 | $1,050 | $850 | $850 |
| Dalian | $1,210 | $980 | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,100 |
| Dongguan | $850 | $1,050 | $5,110 | $1,050 | $850 | $850 |
| Nanjing | $1,210 | $1,420 | $1,420 | $850 | $1,210 | $980 |
Sea freight transit times from China to UK (FCL & LCL)
Before choosing sea freight methods, you need to know how long to ship from China to UK. Sea freight from China to UK can take anywhere from 25 to 60 days, depending on the origin and destination, the load, and the choice of FCL or LCL. The table below for freight times between some of the most popular sea routes from China to the UK.
| From/To | Port of Felixstowe | Port of Southampton | Port of London | Port of Immingham | Port of Liverpool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 35 Days | 30 Days | 35 Days | 25 Days | 35 Days |
| Shenzhen | 30 Days | 30 Days | 25 Days | 30 Days | 35 Days |
| Ningbo | 25 Days | 35 Days | 30 Days | 25 Days | 30 Days |
| Guangzhou | 30 Days | 35 Days | 30 Days | 35 Days | 25 Days |
| Hong Kong | 30 Days | 30 Days | 25 Days | 30 Days | 35 Days |
| Qingdao | 25 Days | 25 Days | 30 Days | 25 Days | 35 Days |
| Tianjin | 25 Days | 35 Days | 30 Days | 35 Days | 35 Days |
| Xiamen | 30 Days | 30 Days | 25 Days | 25 Days | 30 Days |
| Dalian | 35 Days | 30 Days | 35 Days | 30 Days | 25 Days |
| Dongguan | 25 Days | 30 Days | 35 Days | 30 Days | 35 Days |
| Nanjing | 35 Days | 30 Days | 25 Days | 25 Days | 35 Days |
Door to Door shipping from China to UK
Door to door service from China to UK is the ideal method for beginner customers and importers who do not have experts in customs clearanceThe simplest method for shipping from China to UK, is door to door shipping, and our customers always prefer this method Because, in this method, we pick up your cargo from your origin address in China and deliver your desired destination address in UK; also, customs clearance in UK is done 100% by us.
in Door to Door shipping from China to UK, your product is shipped by sea, air, or train and Door to door shipping has benefits such as cost savings, time savings, and stress-free customs clearance. DDPCH shipping company is one of the best freight forwarders from China to Uk and has professional door delivery from China to UK. connect to the DDPCH team to have easy DDP service to UK.
DDP air from China to UK (Cost & transit time)
Door to Door air shipping from China to UK typically takes between 5 and 10 days, and it depends on the ports in China and the United Kingdom and shipping from China to the United Kingdom is a low cost and affordable method than air freight; This table shows the cost of different ports in China and UK for 1 kg, 10 kg, and +100 kg.
| Port in China | Port in UK | Cost for 1 kg (USD) | Cost for 10 kg (USD) | Cost for 100+ kg (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Felixstowe | 2.5 | 20 | 150 |
| Ningbo | Southampton | 2.4 | 19 | 140 |
| Guangzhou | Liverpool | 2.6 | 21 | 155 |
| Shenzhen | London Gateway | 2.7 | 22 | 160 |
| Qingdao | Bristol | 2.8 | 23 | 165 |
| Tianjin | Portsmouth | 2.55 | 20.5 | 152 |
| Xiamen | Hull | 2.45 | 19.5 | 145 |
| Dalian | Dover | 2.65 | 21.5 | 158 |
| Hong Kong | Glasgow | 2.75 | 22.5 | 162 |
| Yantian | Edinburgh | 2.35 | 18.5 | 138 |
DDP sea from China to the UK (Cost & transit time)
Door to door Sea shipping from China to UK usually takes 30-35 days, so pay attention to this table having a transit time for different ports in China to ports in the UK and The type and Value of cargo are important factors that affect the cost of door to door sea shipping from China to UK; below is a table of costs based on the weight of goods and important ports in China and UK.
| Port in China | Port in UK | Cost for 1 kg (USD) | Cost for 10 kg (USD) | Cost for 100+ kg (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Felixstowe | 2.5 | 24 | 200 |
| Ningbo | Southampton | 2.45 | 23.5 | 195 |
| Guangzhou | Liverpool | 2.55 | 25 | 205 |
| Shenzhen | London Gateway | 2.6 | 25.5 | 210 |
| Qingdao | Bristol | 2.65 | 26 | 215 |
| Tianjin | Portsmouth | 2.4 | 23 | 190 |
| Xiamen | Hull | 2.35 | 22.5 | 185 |
| Dalian | Dover | 2.7 | 26.5 | 220 |
| Hong Kong | Glasgow | 2.75 | 27 | 225 |
| Yantian | Edinburgh | 2.3 | 22 | 180 |
Express shipping from China to the UK
When your package is small or valuable, or you need your goods to arrive quickly, DDPCH offers express shipping from China to UK for you, which takes 1- 3 days. The express shipping company will handle any shipping arrangements, customs clearance, and delivery to the destination in UK.
DHL, TNT, FedEx, USP, and USPS are the best companies in express shipping from China to the UK.
The top companies in express shipping from China to UK
In DDPCH, when you ask us to ship your package with an express company, we send it to one of these companies because we can get you good discounts from these companies for shipping your cargo from China to UK.
- DHL | China to the UK: DHL provides express shipping to over 160 countries worldwide, including the UK, and DHL has Express shipping from China to the UK in one to 3 days. DHL Services can ship documents and products weighing up to 70 kg.
- FedEx | China to the UK: FedEx Express shipping has an international reach of over 220 countries and can ship documents and non-document goods to the UK from China. In Express shipping from China to UK a package can weigh up to 68 kg; this service is available from anywhere in the world.
- UPS | China to the UK: UPS Express offers quick and on-day delivery for light to heavy products from China to the UK, and UPS also provides access to nearly any aircraft or vehicle in less than 24 hours for quick or same-day shipments from China to the UK.
- TNT | China to the UK: TNT offers express, standard and freight shipping services from China to the UK and has same day delivery anywhere in the UK.
| Shipping Weight | DHL (USD) | FedEx (USD) | UPS (USD) | TNT (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kg | 30 | 28 | 32 | 29 |
| 10 kg | 120 | 115 | 125 | 118 |
| 100+ kg | 1000 | 950 | 1050 | 980 |
Compare methods for shipping from China to UK
We have presented four main and common shipping methods from China to UK, and each of them may be useful depending on your budget and the amount of your product. For example, if you have a small package that needs to be shipped quickly, you should choose express shipping from China to UK, while if your product is large and heavy, sea shipping from China to the UK is better for your business.
Air freight from China to UK is both safe and quick, but there are restrictions because airlines typically set their gross weight limit between 100 and 500 kg per package. In the end, door to door shipping from China to UK is the most cost effective and time efficient option, and you are not responsible for customs clearance in this process, and the customs fees are calculated with the shipping cost.
Effective Strategies for Minimizing Shipping Costs from China to UK
For businesses looking to ship products from China to the UK, identifying ways to minimize shipping costs can lead to significant savings. Here are some effective strategies that can help reduce these expenses.
- Opt for Sea Freight Over Air Freight: The cost of shipping is greatly influenced by supply and demand. Air transport, while faster, is often more expensive due to high demand and limited supply capacity due to weight and volume restrictions. Opting for sea freight can be a cost-effective alternative.
- Minimize Package Size: The size and weight of the cargo are critical factors affecting shipping costs. Larger shipments occupy more space, leading to higher costs. Therefore, strive to reduce the size of your packages where possible to lower your shipping expenses.
- Avoid Wooden Pallets for Packaging: The weight of the shipment significantly impacts the overall shipping cost. Wooden pallets, while commonly used for packaging, add considerable weight to the cargo. To decrease shipment weight and consequently, shipping costs, it’s advisable to avoid using wooden pallets for packaging.
- Compare Quotes from Multiple Shipping Companies: Don’t limit yourself to just one shipping company. It’s beneficial to negotiate and request quotes from several different shipping companies. By comparing these prices, you can not only gain a better understanding of the shipping costs but also select the most cost-effective option. For those in need of a shipping agent in China, consider leveraging services from companies like DDPCH.
How can DDPCH help you in shipping from China to the UK?
Choosing freight forwarders from China to UK that have experience in shipping is necessary. DDPCH has 11 years of experience shipping from China to UK using various methods such as air freight, sea freight, door to door, and express shipping, and we handle all customs clearance in the UK for you.
Our shipping rates are always more affordable and lower than those of other shipping companies, and if you choose the door to door from China to the UK method, you will save money and time. We can also get you a discount for express shipping from the best express companies mentioned in this service and Just contact us and get advice!
Conclusion
Shipping from China to UK is valuable and effective in global trade because the UK is a large importer of Chinese products, so if you plan to import from China to UK, we offer you to read this service and want advice from our team at DDPCH, then choose your shipping method based on your product and your budget. Our customers usually ask about the cost and clearance of their goods during shipping, and Shipping costs from China to UK are typically determined by the shipment’s weight or volume, the shipping method, the type of goods, and any additional services required, such as insurance or door to door delivery.
By preparing the documents, customs clearance in the UK will be completed without a problem, and then you can receive your shipment in UK, and shipping from China to UK will be done!
Any questions find here
You can ask us any questions about shipping from China!
There are three main methods: air freight, sea freight, and rail freight. The method chosen depends on factors such as time sensitivity, cost, and the type and quantity of goods being transported.
The costs depend on various factors including the shipping method, the volume and weight of the goods, and any additional services such as door-to-door delivery or insurance.
If you want to ship goods from China to the UK, sea freight is your best option. Sea freight is not only less expensive, but it also has a faster delivery rate than air cargo. If you’re shipping from China to the UK, make sure to select the port closest to your destination.
The key documents usually include a commercial invoice, a packing list, a Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, and sometimes a certificate of origin.
Yes, many freight forwarders like DDPCH offer door-to-door services. This service includes pick-up from the supplier, delivery to the port, shipping to the UK, and then delivery to your specified location.
The size and weight of your shipment can greatly affect the shipping cost and method. For instance, heavier and larger shipments might be more cost-effective to ship by sea, while smaller and lighter shipments might be cheaper to send by air.
The UK has several major ports including London, Southampton, Liverpool, and Felixstowe. Your choice of port may depend on its proximity to the final destination of your goods.
The time depends on the method of shipping. Air freight typically takes around 3-5 days, sea freight can take 20-30 days, and rail freight takes approximately 18-20 days.
Shipping costs are typically based on the weight or volume of the shipment, the shipping method, the type of goods, and any additional services required such as insurance or door-to-door delivery.
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