Importers producing goods in mainland China for sale in the United Kingdom have a range of shipping options: express, air, sea, road, and rail. In this article, we’ll break down each method, including transit times and costs.
Whichever shipping method you choose, partnering with a trusted China Freight Forwarder like us is the most reliable way to ensure a safe, on-time, and hassle-free delivery to the UK.
Thanks to our high-volume agreements with global airlines and shipping lines, we can offer significant savings while handling even the most complex logistics requirements with ease.
Let’s take a closer look at the four primary shipping methods available when importing from China to the United Kingdom.
Sea freight is the most cost-effective method for shipping large volumes of goods. While it takes longer (typically 25-60 days), it is ideal for bulk shipments and heavy cargo. Sea freight offers both full container load (FCL) and less-than-container load (LCL) options, depending on the size of your shipment.
For time-sensitive shipments, air freight is the fastest option, usually taking 5-10 days. While it is more expensive than sea freight, it provides quick and reliable delivery, making it a good choice for high-value or urgent goods. Air freight is ideal for smaller shipments or products that require fast delivery.
Road transport is commonly used for last-mile delivery within the UK, or in conjunction with sea or air freight to cover the ground transport from ports or airports to the final destination. It is an efficient option for ensuring timely delivery across the UK, particularly for goods that are already arriving by sea or air.
Rail freight is a growing option for shipping between China and the UK, offering a middle ground between air and sea freight in terms of cost and delivery time. It typically takes around 15-20 days, and it is a great choice for large, heavy cargo that needs to arrive faster than sea freight but isn’t as urgent as air freight.
Ship from China to UK:
China is a key trading hub for Europe, including the UK, but securing air freight space can be challenging, leading to unstable rates. Here’s why:
Middle East Crisis
Increased cargo volume shifting from other transport modes to air freight has put immense pressure on capacity.
Russian Embargo
Flight routes have changed to avoid restricted airspace, requiring aircraft to carry more fuel and less cargo, increasing operational costs.
E-Commerce Boom
The surge in online sales platforms in China has dramatically increased demand for air freight to deliver lightweight, high-value goods.
These factors contribute to fluctuating air freight prices. However, Zcyt Logistics is committed to providing the most cost-effective and time-efficient rates. Our strong partnerships with top Chinese airlines and logistics networks ensure reliable solutions for your shipping needs.
| POL | POD | Cost W/M MIN 2 CBM | TT |
| Dalian | Southampton | £155 | 43 |
| Guangzhou | Southampton Felixstowe | £155 | 37 |
| Ningbo | Felixstowe | £155 | 37 |
| Qingdao | Felixstowe | £155 | 38 |
| Shanghai | Southampton Felixstowe | £155 | 41 |
| Shenzhen | Southampton Felixstowe | £155 | 31 |
| Xiamen | Felixstowe | £155 | 32 |
| Tianjin | Felixstowe | £155 | 52 |
| POL | POD | OCF USD 20′ GP | OCF USD 40′ GP | OCF USD 40′ HQ |
| Dalian | Felixstowe | 1592 | 2115 | 2115 |
| Dalian | Southampton | 1672 | 2755 | 2755 |
| Huangpu | Felixstowe | 1522 | 2215 | 2215 |
| Huangpu | Southampton | 1712 | 2655 | 2655 |
| Ningbo | Felixstowe | 1592 | 2115 | 2115 |
| Ningbo | Southampton | 1672 | 2755 | 2755 |
| Qingdao | Felixstowe | 1592 | 2115 | 2115 |
| Qingdao | Southampton | 1672 | 2755 | 2755 |
| Shanghai | Felixstowe | 1592 | 2115 | 2115 |
| Shanghai | Southampton | 1672 | 2755 | 2755 |
| Shenzhen | Felixstowe | 1592 | 2115 | 2115 |
| Shenzhen | Southampton | 1672 | 2755 | 2755 |
| Xiamen | Felixstowe | 1592 | 2115 | 2115 |
| Xiamen | Southampton | 1672 | 2755 | 2755 |
| Tianjin | Felixstowe | 1592 | 2115 | 2115 |
| Tianjin | Southampton | 1672 | 2755 | 2755 |
We are proud to be a leading freight forwarder specializing in logistics solutions for Amazon FBA in the UK. Our services cater to freight forwarders, brokers, Amazon sellers, and suppliers, ensuring efficient and reliable shipping from China to Amazon warehouses.
With Zcyt Logistics, you gain a trusted partner for seamless supply chain management and tailored solutions that meet Amazon’s strict requirements.
