What is the best way to ship from China to the UK?
Importers manufacturing goods in mainland China for sale in the United Kingdom have various shipping options available: express, air, sea, road, and rail. We will detail each method in this article, including the time it takes and costs.
No matter which method you choose, the most reliable way to ensure a safe, on-time, and stress-free delivery is by using a China Freight Forwarder like Guided Imports when shipping to the UK.
We can provide you with significant savings thanks to our high-volume agreements with global airlines and freighters servicing the UK from China, and no logistical requirements are too complex for us to manage.
Now, we’ll cover the four primary shipping methods available to you as an importer when shipping from China to the United Kingdom.
Express Shipping from China to the UK
China Express shipping to the UK is a door-to-door service offered by major global couriers such as UPS, DHL, and FedEx, and is ideal for importers shipping smaller parcels, such as samples from your factory.
As the name implies, the primary benefit of Express from China to the UK is speed.
Additional benefits of China Express shipping to the UK include that goods are delivered directly from your factory to your final destination, and all logistics and customs clearance requirements are included in the cost.
Of course, all this speed and convenience makes it the most expensive shipping option from China.
How long does China Express shipping take to the UK?
Courier shipments from China to the UK can range anywhere from 1-3 days, with the cost increasing with speed.
How how much does China Express Shipping to the UK cost?
At Guided Imports, we pass-thru our high-volume rates to you, making using these methods more affordable than if you contracted them yourself.
As the fastest and most hassle-free method of shipping goods from China to the United Kingdom, express shipping is the most expensive shipping method.
Rates for express shipping from China to the UK vary depending upon the load.
| Less than 10 kg (↓LOW↓) | Less than 10 kg (↑HIGH↑) | Less than 100 kg (↓LOW↓) | Less than 100 kg (↑HIGH↑) | Less than 200 kg (↓LOW↓) | Less than 200 kg (↑HIGH↑) | 300-500 kg (↓LOW↓) | 300-500 kg (↑HIGH↑) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 5.91 | £ 7.67 | £ 5.42 | £ 6.41 | £ 5.42 | £ 6.41 | £ 6.05 | £ 6.41 |
Air Freight from China to the UK
Air freight is the movement of goods via air carriers.
China Air Freight is a good option for shipments that you need quickly or are sensitive, and is most economical when shipment loads are between 300 and 500 kilograms.
Unless the air freight quote you request is “all-included”, air freight does not typically include:
- logistics from your factory in China to the airport,
- from your destination airport in the UK to the final shipping point,
- customs clearance on arrival to the UK
The benefits of air freight are the:
- speed relative to sea freight
- the ability to send sensitive or valuable cargo, with fewer chances of damage
- cargo can be delivered anywhere, consolidated, deconsolidated, and transshipped in ways that air express does not offer
The disadvantages of air freight include:
- Not as fast as air express
- Typically has added costs (logistics to/from the airport) and customs fees
- More expensive than sea freight
- Not as fast as air express
How Long Does Air Freight Take from China to the UK?
Airfreight shipping from China to the UK can take anywhere from 5-15 days.
How much Does Air Freight Cost from China to the UK?
The cost of your shipment will vary greatly upon the load sent, demand, and the time of year. Refer to the table below for current rates as of the time of writing.
| 45kg (↓LOW↓) | 45kg (↑HIGH↑) | 100kg (↓LOW↓) | 100kg (↑HIGH↑) | 200kg (↓LOW↓) | 200kg (↑HIGH↑) | 300kg (↓LOW↓) | 300kg (↑HIGH↑) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 4.08 | £ 5.72 | £ 3.24 | £ 3.66 | £ 3.24 | £ 3.66 | £ 3.24 | £ 3.66 |
Sea Freight from China to the UK
Sea freight is the movement of goods via sea lanes in containers.
LCL from China to the UK
LCL (or less than container load) shipping from China to the UK involves the shipment of goods in a container shared with other shippers.
It is the ideal form of shipment for goods between 1-15 cubic meters.
Oftentimes, it can be more economical than air freight.
FCL from China to the UK
FCL (or full container load) shipping from China to the UK involves the shipment of goods in your own container.
FCL shipping is the preferred shipping method for importers whose cargo exceeds 15 cubic meters.
Container sizing options include:
How Long Does Sea Freight Take from China to the UK?
Sea freight from China to the UK can take anywhere between 25-60 days, depending on the origin and destination, the load, and whether or not the goods are being shipped port-to-port or door-to-door. Consult the table below for freight times between some of the most popular routes.
| Shipping from Shanghai (CNSHA Port) | Shipping from Ningbo(CNNGB Port) | Shipping from Shenzhen (CNSZX Port) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shipping to Southampton (GBSOU Port) | 26-32 days | 32-35 days | 29-38 days |
| Shipping to Felixstowe (GBFXT Port) | 23-29 days | 28-36 days | 29-32 days |
| Shipping to London (GBLON Port) | 32-38 days | 42-45 days | 44-46 days |
How Much Does a Container Cost from China to the UK?
| Shanghai (↓LOW↓) | Shanghai (↑HIGH↑) | Ningbo (↓LOW↓) | Ningbo (↑HIGH↑) | Shenzhen (↓LOW↓) | Shenzhen (↑HIGH↑) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southhampton | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 |
| Felixstowe | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 |
| London | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 | £ 7,180.80 | £ 7,392.00 |
The quotes on this table are port-to-port peak season FCL shipping average ra
How Much Does LCL Cost from China to the UK?
View sample pricing for some of the more popular shipping routes from China to the UK.
| Shanghai (↓LOW↓) | Shanghai (↑HIGH↑) | Ningbo (↓LOW↓) | Ningbo (↑HIGH↑) | Shenzhen (↓LOW↓) | Shenzhen (↑HIGH↑) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southhampton | £ 91.52 | £ 105.60 | £ 109.12 | £ 126.72 | £ 84.48 | £ 95.04 |
| Felixstowe | £ 91.52 | £ 105.60 | £ 109.12 | £ 126.72 | £ 84.48 | £ 95.04 |
| London | £ 91.52 | £ 105.60 | £ 109.12 | £ 126.72 | £ 84.48 | £ 95.04 |
Road Freight from China to the UK
Road freight is currently a good alternative to high air freight costs out of China, achieving similar speeds in-transit.
Goods trucked from China to the UK can take anywhere from 14-21 days, making it faster than both rail and sea freight, while considerably more affordable than air freight.
Rail Freight from China to the UK
Rail freight from China to the UK is an eco-friendly alternative to container shipping, with both LCL and FCL options available.
Transit time via railway from China to the UK is anywhere from 18-21 days, making it faster than sea freight, and considerably more affordable than air freight.
How to Ship from China to the UK
Step 1: Contact a freight forwarder based in China
At Guided Imports, you can leverage our high-volume rates and logistical expertise to ensure a stress-free and on-time shipment, with a best-price guarantee.
Step 2: Get a shipping quote from China
We’ll help you explore all options, so you can rest assured you received the best value for your speed, load, and pricing requirements.
Step 3: Get China Freight Insurance
Don’t forget to protect your investment. It’s more affordable than think.
Step 4: Arrange Customs Clearance
Lastly, make sure your goods leave China and arrive in the UK with all required documentation. At Guided Imports, we’re happy to assist with any questions you might have.
