Shipping From China to the UK — Air and Sea
Air freight to London, sea freight to Felixstowe. Since Brexit, UK customs, duty and VAT are handled entirely separately from the EU — Latynex manages this as its own dedicated process, not an EU shipment with a UK label.
Freight Options
How to Ship From China to the UK
Air or sea — the right mode depends on your timeline, cargo weight and budget. Both available with DDP delivery to UK addresses (subject to the written quotation).
Air Freight — 5–12 Days
Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX) and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to London Heathrow (LHR). Best for time-sensitive, high-value or low-weight cargo. DDP door-to-door available.
Sea Freight — 25–37 Days
FCL and LCL from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to Felixstowe — the UK's largest container port — with Southampton and London Gateway (DP World's deep-sea terminal) as secondary gateways. Cost-effective for regular volume cargo.
Amazon FBA UK
Delivery to Amazon.co.uk fulfilment centres — FC assignment comes from your Seller Central shipment plan, so we deliver to whatever FC Amazon specifies (commonly LTN4 Dunstable or MAN1 Manchester). FNSKU labeling, carton compliance and FBA prep included. DDP can be quoted where feasible — UK import VAT and duty treatment is stated in the written quotation.
Express — 3–6 Days
Urgent shipments via express air courier. Samples, prototypes and time-critical consignments delivered door-to-door across the UK in 3–6 days.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid
Where DDP applies, the written quotation states who arranges import customs clearance and how UK duty (under the UK Global Tariff) and UK VAT (20% standard rate) are treated. Exact eligibility depends on shipment structure; whether you need your own UK EORI number depends on the importer arrangement.
UK-Specific Customs Handling
Since Brexit, UK customs clearance is entirely separate from the EU — its own tariff schedule, its own EORI prefix (GB), and its own VAT system. UK import declarations are filed with HMRC by the importer or the customs representative named in the written quotation, as a process distinct from any EU customs process.
FCL — Full Container Load
Larger volumes shipped under a single container booking, reducing shared-container handling. Suits regular or growing cargo volume from China to Felixstowe.
LCL — Less Than Container Load
Smaller commercial shipments sharing container space with other cargo, via consolidation and deconsolidation. Suits lower volumes or flexible timing. Neither FCL nor LCL is universally cheaper — the right choice depends on your cargo volume and timeline.
The Process
How China to UK Shipping Works
Eight stages from your Chinese supplier to final delivery in the UK — what Latynex arranges depends on the scope in the written quotation, with UK customs handled as its own dedicated process.
Request a quote with your cargo details
Send us your supplier's collection address in China, cargo description, weight and dimensions, destination address in the UK, and preferred freight mode. We prepare the DDP quote — showing how UK duty and UK VAT are treated — and confirm the scope in writing.
Supplier collection from China
Our China-based team collects from your supplier's factory or warehouse anywhere in mainland China. Multi-supplier consolidation is available.
China export warehouse and consolidation
Cargo arrives at our China export warehouse. For FBA shipments, FNSKU labeling and carton prep are completed here.
Export customs clearance in China
We prepare and file Chinese export documentation and clear cargo for export at the relevant Chinese port or airport.
International freight: air or sea
Your cargo travels via your agreed mode. Air: 5–12 days to Heathrow. Sea FCL/LCL: 25–37 days to Felixstowe.
Arrival in the UK
Cargo arrives at Felixstowe (sea) or Heathrow (air). Import filing with HMRC begins on arrival as part of our arranged customs process.
UK import customs clearance
The import declaration is filed with HMRC under the UK's own tariff and VAT system — separate from any EU process. Under DDP, where applicable, how UK duty and UK VAT are paid, and by whom, is stated in the written quotation; under DAP, we notify you of the amount payable.
Final delivery to your UK address
Cleared cargo is delivered to your specified address: warehouse, office, Amazon FC, or 3PL fulfilment centre. For Amazon FBA, we manage the FC delivery appointment.
Transit & Cost
China → UK: Transit Time and DDP Cost Guide
Indicative DDP planning rates for the China–UK corridor — freight, UK duty, UK VAT and delivery, where DDP is feasible. Exact quotes depend on cargo details and current market rates.
All figures are indicative ranges including freight, UK import duty, UK VAT (20%), customs handling and delivery. Duty rate depends on product HS code — confirmed before booking. Fuel surcharges, port congestion and seasonal rate changes apply. Contact Latynex for a specific quote.
Cost Factors
What Determines Shipping Cost From China to the UK
Every quote is calculated from your specific shipment details. These are the main factors that affect price.
DDP vs DAP
DDP vs DAP Shipping to the UK — What's the Difference?
For most importers without a UK EORI or in-house customs team, DDP is the simpler choice.
Customs
Importing Into the UK — What You Need to Know
A practical guide to UK import requirements for businesses shipping from China — the UK's own tariff, VAT and EORI system, separate from the EU since Brexit.
UK Global Tariff (Post-Brexit)
Since leaving the EU, the UK operates its own tariff schedule — the UK Global Tariff, published by HMRC — separately from the EU's Common External Tariff. Duty rates depend on your product's HS code and are set independently by the UK, not automatically the same as the equivalent EU rate. As an illustrative example only, clothing and textiles often sit near the upper end of the UK Global Tariff schedule, while many electronics categories are duty-free — these are general reference points, not a quote. We calculate your exact UK duty rate before confirming any DDP quote.
UK VAT
Import VAT is charged at the UK's standard rate of 20% on most goods, with a reduced 5% rate for some categories. This is a UK-specific rate, distinct from any EU member state's VAT rate. Under DDP, the written quotation states how this VAT is treated and who accounts for it; do not assume it has been prepaid unless the quotation says so. VAT-registered UK businesses can typically reclaim it on their regular VAT return.
Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA)
PVA lets a VAT-registered UK importer account for import VAT on their regular VAT return instead of paying it upfront at the border — a cash-flow mechanism, not a duty exemption. It's most relevant for DAP importers managing their own customs declarations. Under DDP, the written quotation states how VAT is treated; PVA and the VAT-reclaim route achieve a similar net position for VAT-registered businesses, just at different points in the payment timeline.
UK EORI Number (GB prefix)
A UK EORI number, prefixed GB, is required to file import customs declarations in the UK — this is separate from any EU EORI number and does not carry over automatically. Where DDP applies, import customs clearance is arranged on your behalf, so you typically don't need to register one for that shipment. Under DAP, you would register a UK EORI with HMRC before your first import.
Not the Same as an EU Import
A common mistake is assuming UK and EU import processes are interchangeable post-Brexit — they are not. UK customs declarations, UK EORI registration, UK duty rates and UK VAT are all handled entirely separately from any EU country. If you import into both the UK and the EU, you need to treat them as two distinct customs jurisdictions.
Get a Quote
What We Need to Quote Your Shipment to the UK
Send these details for the fastest, most accurate quote.
- Supplier / pickup city in China
- UK destination address or postcode
- Commodity description (HS code if known)
- Carton or pallet count
- Gross weight
- Dimensions / total CBM
- Preferred mode if known (air or sea)
- FCL or LCL if relevant
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm (if already agreed)
- Dangerous-goods / battery status
- Final-delivery requirement in the UK
The more detail you send upfront, the faster and more accurate your quote — including UK duty and UK VAT if you choose DDP.
Get a Shipping QuoteFAQ
China–UK Freight — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about shipping from China to the UK, transit times, documentation and cost.
Related
Related Services & Routes
DDP Shipping
How DDP works and what the quote must state, including for the UK.
Amazon FBA Logistics
FNSKU prep, carton checks and direct UK FC delivery from China.
Air Freight Service
Express and standard air cargo from China to London.
Sea Freight Service
FCL and LCL from China to Felixstowe.
Warehouse Consolidation
Multi-supplier pickup and consolidation before UK export.
China → Europe
Mode comparison and destinations across the full China–Europe corridor.
Logistics Assessment
Before you ship — review your route, Incoterms and UK import duties. From €99.
Transit Time Calculator
Estimate delivery windows for air and sea freight to the UK.
Shipping Cost Estimator
Directional cost estimate by mode and cargo volume.
Get a Quote
Cargo details to quote — weight, mode and destination. Timing depends on how complete the details are.
Already have a supplier quote?
Get it checked before you pay — €99, within 2 business days.