Freight forwarding between the UK and China
Air, sea and rail freight for imports and exports, with customs clearance and collection and delivery support.
China to UK freight
For UK importers, retailers, distributors and manufacturers buying from Chinese suppliers. We move consumer goods, machinery, electronics, new energy products such as battery storage and solar, and finished vehicles and parts, and we manage every stage from collection at your supplier's door to delivery at yours.
- Collection in ChinaOur own people at origin, in 36 cities across China, book and collect from your supplier.
- Export clearanceChinese export declarations and documents checked before cargo moves.
- Main transportAir, sea or rail, booked on the option that fits your cargo and deadline.
- UK customsImport declaration, duty and VAT handled by our UK team.
- DeliveryTo your warehouse, store, site or customer anywhere in the UK.
Transport options
Every option has a trade off between speed, cost and flexibility. We recommend one for your cargo and explain why.
Air freight
For urgent, high value or time sensitive cargo: samples, spare parts, electronics and launch stock.
- Fastest option, priced on chargeable weight
- Capacity on the group's own aircraft and with partner airlines
- Main Chinese gateways include Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Beijing
- Trade off: the highest cost per kilogramme
Full container load (FCL)
For regular volumes, heavy cargo and anything that fills most of a 20ft or 40ft container.
- Lowest cost per unit for full loads
- A container for your goods only, sealed at origin
- Reefer, flat rack and open top equipment on request
- Trade off: the longest door to door time, so it suits planned stock
Less than container load (LCL)
For smaller sea shipments that share a container with other cargo.
- Pay only for the space you use
- A sensible step between air and a full container
- Consolidated at Chinese origin hubs
- Trade off: extra handling at both ends, and time for consolidation
China to Europe rail, where available
For cargo that needs to move faster than sea and cost less than air.
- Runs from Chinese rail hubs to European terminals, with onward road to the UK
- A middle option on cost and speed
- Availability depends on the lane, the season and routing restrictions
- Trade off: fewer departures than sea, and not every commodity suits it
Coverage
Collection across mainland China and Hong Kong, through the main ports and airports, to any UK address.
Chinese origins
Sea ports including Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo Zhoushan, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Air gateways including Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Beijing. Inland collection from factories and suppliers across China.
UK gateways
Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton by sea, London Heathrow by air, and the Port of Bristol for vehicles. Onward delivery by road across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Transit times
Transit times change with the season, the carrier and the route, so we quote one for your shipment rather than publish averages.
Port to port covers the main transport only, from the port or airport of loading to the port or airport of arrival.
Door to door adds collection in China, export clearance, UK customs clearance and delivery to your address.
Every quote states which one it covers, and the date it was given.
What your quote is based on
A clear quote shows what is included and what may be charged separately, so there are no surprises on arrival.
- Mode and service levelAir, FCL, LCL or rail, and whether you need express or consolidated service.
- Size and weightContainers are priced per unit; air and LCL on chargeable weight or volume, whichever is greater.
- Collection and deliveryWhere we collect in China and deliver in the UK, and any timed or specialist delivery.
- IncotermsWho pays for each stage, from factory gate to your door.
- Carrier surchargesFuel, peak season and security surcharges, which change with the market.
- Cargo typeDangerous goods, lithium batteries, oversized or high value cargo need extra handling and documents.
Usually shown separately
- UK import duty and import VAT, which depend on your commodity code and customs value
- Inspections or examinations ordered by customs or other authorities
- Storage, demurrage or detention if goods are not collected on time
- Insurance, unless you ask us to arrange it
Customs support
The importer is responsible for what is declared. We prepare and submit the declarations and tell you early if anything is missing.
What we need from you
- Your GB EORI number
- Commercial invoice and packing list from your supplier
- A clear description of the goods, and the commodity code if you have it (see our HS code guide)
- Incoterms and the value of the goods
- Certificates or licences where the goods need them, such as for dangerous goods or batteries
- Whether you use postponed VAT accounting
UK to China freight
For UK exporters selling to customers in China. We handle export declarations in the UK, air or sea freight to the main Chinese ports and airports, and delivery to your customer, with our group's own teams on the ground in China.
- UK export declarations and documents
- Air freight from London Heathrow and sea freight from the main UK ports
- Import clearance and delivery in China through the CTS group network
- Advice on Chinese import documents before goods leave the UK
Recent work on this corridor
Shipments from China that we managed from origin to delivery.
- Changan, UK launchThe first vehicles landed at the Port of Bristol, prepared on site and delivered for the launch and the first dealers.
- Geely EX5, UK launchVehicles for the EX5 launch, part of our ongoing Geely programme.
- Battery storage deliveries1,700+ BESS containers delivered to 22 countries to August 2026, from the ocean leg to crane offloading on site.
- 1984Group founded in China
- 603128Listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange
- 36 citiesOur own offices across China
- StainesUK team near Heathrow
Questions we are often asked
How long does freight from China to the UK take?
It depends on the mode, the lanes, the season and whether you need port to port or door to door service. We give you a transit time for your exact shipment with every quote, and say clearly what it covers.
Which is cheaper, sea or air freight from China?
Sea freight is usually far cheaper per kilogramme, and a full container is the lowest cost per unit for regular volumes. Air costs more but moves much faster. Rail, where available, sits in between.
Do I need an EORI number to import from China?
Yes. A business importing goods into Great Britain needs an EORI number that starts with GB. It is free to apply for on GOV.UK.
Who pays UK import duty and VAT?
Usually the importer of record in the UK, unless the goods are sold on DDP terms. VAT registered importers can use postponed VAT accounting and account for import VAT on their VAT return.
Can CTS ship from the UK to China as well?
Yes. We handle UK exports to China by air and sea, including export declarations and delivery to your customer in China.
Shipping the other way?
For UK exports to China, use the same form and enter the UK collection point in From. Or email [email protected].