FCL sea freight · Import & export · UK ports
FCL container shipping from the UK, worldwide.
A full container (FCL) is the most cost-effective and secure way to ship by sea. Your cargo has the box to itself, sealed from collection to destination, with no shared space and no shared risk. We handle the whole job: collection, sailing, customs at both ends and delivery, all with one operator responsible throughout and clear pricing on every quote.
Full container load
Your own sealed container, door to door
FCL (full container load) means your cargo has the entire box to itself, nothing shared, nothing mixed with other customers' freight. You get a sealed, lockable container from your UK collection point to the destination door.
We ship 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High Cube containers. Not sure which size fits? Tell us what you're moving and we'll advise, with a fixed, all-in quote within 24 hours.
General cargo · Import & export
What we ship
Commercial pallets, machinery, scrap metal and recyclable green waste, household goods and personal effects in full containers. We handle general cargo of all kinds — including scrap metal and recyclable green waste under full export compliance — the one thing we don't take is perishable goods. That covers exports from the UK, imports into the UK, and cross-trade shipping between two countries where neither end is the UK, for example China to Nigeria, booked and managed from our UK desk.
Port of loading (POL): all major ports in England, United Kingdom, with major international ports available at destination worldwide.
Tell us your cargo and route, and we'll get back to you with a quote.
Felixstowe · Southampton
UK ports we load from
Felixstowe and Southampton, with collection from anywhere in the UK.
Sizes & capacity
Container sizes and dimensions
We ship three main container types. As a rough guide, a 20ft holds about 9–10 UK pallets and a 40ft around 20–21; a High Cube adds extra height for bulky but lighter loads. Figures below are indicative, exact internal dimensions and weight limits vary by container and route, and we confirm them on your quote.
~33 m³Capacity
- Internal L×W×H5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m
- Door opening2.34 × 2.27 m
- Max payload*~28,000 kg
- Good for~9–10 pallets; heavy or part loads
~67 m³Capacity
- Internal L×W×H12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m
- Door opening2.34 × 2.27 m
- Max payload*~26,500 kg
- Good for~20–21 pallets; full loads
~76 m³Capacity
- Internal L×W×H12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m
- Door opening2.34 × 2.58 m
- Max payload*~26,300 kg
- Good forBulky, lighter cargo; extra height
*Indicative maximums; the usable payload depends on the container, the commodity and road-weight limits each end. We confirm exact figures on your quote. New to the terms? See our plain-English shipping glossary.
All container sizes & types
Specialised container types
Beyond standard dry boxes, we can source specialised equipment for cargo that needs it. Exact specifications and availability are confirmed at quote stage, tell us what you're shipping and we'll advise the right unit.
Refrigerated (reefer)
Temperature-controlled containers for chilled or dry commercial cargo that must travel within a set temperature range. Available on request at quote stage, we do not carry perishable or hazardous goods.
Open-top container
A container with a removable roof, ideal for tall or awkward cargo that can't be loaded through standard doors. Commonly used for machinery, rolled coils and oversized plant equipment.
Flat-rack container
A platform with no sides or roof, suited to very wide, heavy or irregularly shaped loads, construction equipment, large spools or project cargo. Exact dimensions and lashing requirements confirmed on quote.
One operator, end to end
How it works
One operator books the sailing, prepares the paperwork and keeps you updated to delivery. No ticket numbers, no handoffs.
B2B capability
Special equipment for demanding sites
Not every delivery site has a crane, a forklift or a loading dock. We can arrange specialist haulage equipment so your container gets in, and out, wherever it needs to go.
Side loader
Lifts and sets down a container from the side, no crane or forklift needed on site. Ideal for businesses delivering to yards, warehouses or open-ground locations with restricted overhead access.
Low loader
A low-bed trailer for overheight or heavy cargo that can't travel on a standard flatbed, construction plant, industrial machinery and large fabrications. Weight and height limits confirmed at quote stage.
Skeletal (SKEL) trailer
A bare-frame trailer that locks directly onto ISO container corner castings, the most common way to move a loaded FCL box between port and warehouse. Fast, secure and widely available on UK and European corridors.
Flexible coverage
Three service levels
Choose how much of the journey you want us to manage. All three levels include one dedicated operator and transparent pricing. We'll recommend the right option for your trade lane and cargo type.
Door to Door
We handle everything: collection from your door, export clearance, sea freight, and final delivery at destination. If you need it, we have trusted clearing agent partners at most destinations to handle customs on arrival.
Door to Port
Container is delivered to your door and we handle everything up to arrival at the destination port. From there, you or your designated agent arrange the remainder of the shipment.
Port to Port
You arrange transport at origin to collect and deliver the container to and from the port; we deal with the rest up to arrival at the destination port. A good fit if you already run your own inland transport at both ends.
Port to port
Typical transit times from the UK
TURKEY 14–21 DAYS · ITALY 7–14 DAYS · MIDDLE EAST 18–30 DAYS · USA 10–20 DAYS
Port to port, plus a few days each side for collection, customs and delivery. Ask us for exact timings on your route.
Transit times are estimates — ETAs can move slightly earlier or later depending on vessel scheduling, port congestion and carrier availability.
Straight answers
Container shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a container from the UK?
It depends on the route, the container size (20ft, 40ft or 40ft High Cube), the season and fuel surcharges, plus collection, customs and destination charges. For loading at your door, we just need the address, container size and destination; for port to port, where you arrange your own collection and delivery, all we need is the departure and destination port. Tell us your cargo and destination and we'll give you a transparent, all-in quote within 24 hours. We run lean, so that price is competitive, and if you already hold a quote elsewhere we're glad to be compared against it.
How long does container shipping take?
Typical port-to-port times from the UK: Turkey 14–21 days, Italy 7–14 days, Middle East 18–30 days, USA 10–20 days. Add a few days each side for collection, customs and delivery. Ask us for exact timings on your route.
What paperwork do I need to ship a container?
For commercial goods: a commercial invoice, a packing list and an export declaration, which we can prepare on request — this is usually all that's needed for non-hazardous goods, though some carriers may also require a Tax ID or EORI number for the shipper or consignee. For personal effects: a packing list, an estimated value of the goods, and an export declaration, which again we can prepare on request.
What container sizes are there, and how much do they hold?
We mainly ship 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High Cube containers. As a rough guide a 20ft holds about 33 cubic metres (roughly 9–10 UK pallets) and a 40ft about 67 cubic metres (around 20–21 pallets); a High Cube adds extra height for bulky, lighter loads. Tell us what you're shipping and we'll confirm which size fits.
What can't I ship in a container?
We carry general cargo of all kinds, including scrap metal and green-list recyclable waste — these are regulated exports, not excluded goods, and we arrange the paperwork through trusted partners. The one thing we don't carry is perishable goods. Some items are also restricted under standard carriage rules (flammable liquids and gases, aerosols, lithium batteries, high-value items like cash or jewellery). If you're unsure about your cargo, ask us before you book and we'll tell you straight.
How long is my quote valid?
Spot rates are valid for the day of the quote, and fixed once you confirm a booking. Contracted quotes are typically valid for 30 days. Sea freight rates can move with sailing schedules, availability and fuel costs, so if it's been longer just ask and we'll refresh it — no obligation.
24h turnaround · No obligation
Ready to ship a container?
Tell us what you're shipping and where it's going, we'll come back with a tailored quote within 24 hours on working days.
Related: Shipping from the UK to Turkey · What it costs to ship a container · Shipping terms glossary · Customs clearance