CN ⇄ UK · FCL imports · 30–40 days
Sea freight from China to the UK.
Importing goods from China into the UK by full container is one of the most common trade flows we handle. We manage the whole shipment, factory or port collection in China, the sailing, and UK import customs clearance through our trusted partners, so your container arrives cleared and ready for UK delivery.
Who ships this route
What we bring in from China
UK importers sourcing manufactured goods, retailers bringing in stock, and businesses shipping industrial equipment and components, this is the mix we handle on the China–UK lane. Consumer goods, textiles, electronics, machinery parts and general merchandise are the most common cargo types on this route.
We also handle the reverse direction: UK exporters shipping goods to China by full container. But the primary demand on this lane is imports into the UK, and that is where our focus lies, getting your container from a Chinese factory or port to a UK delivery address, with UK customs clearance handled correctly along the way.
Full container load · 20ft · 40ft
Container options for China imports
Your own box
A 20ft or 40ft container to yourself. Best for larger import volumes, or when you want the security and simplicity of sole use. You pay for the whole container regardless of how full it is, so FCL works best when you're importing enough to fill most of it.
Factory to UK door
We co-ordinate China-side collection or port booking, the sailing, and UK import customs through our trusted partners. One accountable operator from the Chinese factory to your UK delivery address, customs cleared, duty paid, ready to unload.
Importing a full household from China into the UK? We ship personal effects by full container, door to door. We'll advise on packing, inventories and the documentation required for used personal-effects clearance through UK customs.
Shanghai / Ningbo / Shenzhen / Qingdao → Felixstowe / Southampton
Ports and transit
Chinese ports: Shanghai (the world's busiest container port) and Ningbo are the main gateways for central and eastern China. Shenzhen's Yantian terminal serves the Pearl River Delta and southern manufacturing regions. Qingdao covers northern China. The right port depends on your supplier's location.
UK ports: Felixstowe is the primary UK container port for China-origin cargo, with Southampton as the main alternative. We'll confirm the arrival port with your quote.
TRANSIT · TYPICALLY 30–40 DAYS PORT TO PORT
UK import clearance · Duty & VAT
UK customs for China imports
All goods arriving from China into the UK require a UK import customs entry. This means a commodity code (HS code), a commercial invoice and packing list, and payment of UK import duty and VAT based on the customs value. Getting the commodity code right matters, it determines the duty rate and whether any trade remedy measures apply.
UK import clearance is arranged and managed through our trusted customs partners. The paperwork is prepared in advance of arrival so your container is not held at the port waiting for documentation. If you're importing from China for the first time, we'll walk you through what's needed, how our customs clearance works.
We run one file from Chinese factory to UK delivery address, so your container doesn't sit at Felixstowe waiting for a customs broker to catch up.
Straight answers
China–UK shipping questions
How long does sea freight from China to the UK take?
Typically 30–40 days port to port from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen or Qingdao to Felixstowe or Southampton. Add a few days each side for factory collection in China, UK import customs and final UK delivery. We'll confirm exact timings when we quote.
Do I need customs clearance to import from China into the UK?
Yes. All goods arriving into the UK from China require a UK import customs entry, correct commodity codes, and payment of import duty and VAT based on the declared value and product classification. We arrange UK import clearance through our trusted customs partners so your shipment is processed correctly on arrival.
Which Chinese port should my container ship from?
Shanghai and Ningbo are the dominant ports for central and eastern China. Shenzhen (Yantian terminal) serves southern China and the Pearl River Delta manufacturing region. Qingdao serves northern China. The right port depends on where your supplier or factory is located, we'll advise when we quote.
24h turnaround · No obligation
Importing from China by sea?
Tell us what you're importing, where in China it's coming from and your UK delivery address. We'll come back with a tailored FCL quote within 24 hours on working days.
Already hold a quote from another forwarder? Send us this route and we’ll give you ours to compare.
Related: Asia routes · Container shipping from the UK · Customs clearance · Container sizes