China to UK Shipping, Sea & Air Freight Door to Door.

Import VAT is 20% on most goods and is calculated on the value of the goods plus shipping, insurance and any customs duty. Some goods are zero-rated or reduced-rate, and consignments valued up to £135 follow different rules. A customs broker or our team can confirm the exact figure for your product.

UK import duty depends on the commodity code (HS code) of your product, its value and where it was made. Many goods carry low or zero duty, but some, such as clothing and certain electronics, have higher rates. Send us your product details and we will check the code and rate before you ship.

Your total import charges are usually the freight cost, customs duty, import VAT, customs clearance fees, port or terminal handling and delivery to your address. With DDP shipping we quote all of these together so there are no surprise bills when your goods arrive.

If you import goods commercially into the UK you generally need a GB EORI number to make customs declarations. We can guide you through the process and handle the declarations once you have one.

Find and verify your supplier, agree the product and price, inspect the goods, book the shipment, clear customs and pay VAT and any duty, then take delivery. We can handle every step, from sourcing and inspection to freight, customs and delivery to your UK address.

A freight forwarder books the sea or air freight, collects your goods from the supplier, prepares the export and import paperwork, clears customs on both sides and arranges delivery. Our team is based in China, so we can deal with suppliers and factories directly.

Sea freight is cheaper for heavier, bulkier and planned orders, in full or shared containers (FCL or LCL). Air freight is faster for urgent, light or high-value goods. If you are unsure, send us your cargo details and we will recommend the best option.

Yes. With DDP (delivered duty paid), we handle customs clearance, import duty and VAT, then deliver to your door for one all-in price.

Rail services between China and Europe exist and can suit some cargo. Sea and air are our main services, so send us your cargo details and we will tell you whether sea, air or another option is the best fit.

Yes. As well as the UK, we ship from China to Germany, the Netherlands, France and other European countries, through ports such as Hamburg and Rotterdam. Contact us with your destination and cargo and we will quote the route.

The cost depends on whether you ship by sea or air, the weight or volume (or container size), the origin and destination, and the customs charges on your goods. Air freight is priced per kg on chargeable weight, and sea freight by container or, for LCL, by volume. Send us your cargo details for a total door-to-door quote.

Container ships sail from Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Guangzhou through the Indian Ocean and either the Suez Canal and Mediterranean or around Africa, arriving at UK ports such as Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway. The route chosen affects the transit time.

Look for a forwarder with a team in China, clear door-to-door quotes that include customs and VAT, and one point of contact. Ask whether they can handle UK import clearance and DDP delivery, and whether they can also source and inspect your goods.