Freight forwarding between the UK and China
Air, sea and rail freight for imports and exports, with customs clearance and collection and delivery support.
Who we help
One UK team for every kind of buyer on this corridor, with our own people at origin in China.
Businesses importing from China
Manufacturers, retailers, distributors and project buyers moving stock, components or equipment.
- Door to door from your supplier, with one UK contact
- Air, sea and rail options compared for each shipment
- UK customs, duty and VAT handled in house
Online and direct to consumer brands
Sellers who import stock in bulk and sell to UK customers online, on marketplaces or in their own shops.
- Bulk stock into the UK by air, LCL or full container
- Delivery to your warehouse or fulfilment provider
- Clear guidance on VAT for goods sold to UK consumers
Freight forwarders and agents
Forwarders and network partners who need a UK and China partner on rates, tenders or UK handling.
- Rate requests, spot quotes and tenders
- UK customs clearance and delivery for your shipments
- Origin services through the CTS group in China
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
Air or sea? A rough guide by shipment size
Chargeable weight and volume decide the price, so the right mode changes with the size of your shipment. We price the options that fit and recommend one.
| Shipment | Size | Usually best | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samples and small parcels | Up to about 100 kg | Express courier or air freight | Speed matters more than cost at this size. |
| Small shipments | About 100 to 500 kg | Air freight, or LCL if the date allows | The point where air and sea often cost about the same. We price both. |
| Part container loads | From about 500 kg, up to about 13 m³ | LCL sea freight | You pay for the space you use in a shared container. |
| Near full loads | About 13 m³ and above | A 20ft container | A full 20ft box often costs less than the same volume in LCL. It holds about 33 m³. |
| Large or regular volumes | About 30 m³ and above | A 40ft or 40ft high cube container | About 67 m³, or 76 m³ in a high cube. The lowest cost per unit. |
A rough guide only: dense, light, urgent or dangerous goods can change the answer.
Ports, airports and routes
Collection across mainland China and Hong Kong, through the main ports and airports, to any address in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
| Mode | From China | Into the UK | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea, full or part container | Shanghai, Ningbo Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Xiamen, Tianjin, Dalian, Guangzhou, Hong Kong | Felixstowe, London Gateway, Southampton | Stock, components, machinery, battery storage |
| Air freight | Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Beijing | London Heathrow | Urgent, high value and time sensitive goods |
| Rail, where available | Chinese rail hubs such as Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing and Zhengzhou | European rail terminals, then road to the UK | Goods that need to move faster than sea |
| Vehicles (RoRo) | Main Chinese vehicle ports | Port of Bristol, then our own compounds and PDI centres | Finished vehicles for launches and dealers |
Plan around the Chinese calendar
Public holidays in China and the retail peak season affect factory output, freight space and rates. Plan orders and collections around them.
Holiday dates for 2027 follow the lunar calendar. China's State Council confirms the exact days off each year, so check with your supplier.
- 6 February 2027Chinese New Year
The biggest shutdown of the year. Many factories close for one to two weeks or more, and freight rates and space tighten in the weeks before. Book early and finish production checks before the holiday.
- 5 April 2027Qingming Festival
A short public holiday. Expect a brief pause in collections and customs work in China.
- From 1 May 2027Labour Day holiday
A national holiday of several days. Plan collections and documents around it.
- 9 June 2027Dragon Boat Festival
A short public holiday. Some suppliers close for a few days.
- Summer to autumnPeak season
Retailers ship stock for Christmas, so sea space and rates come under pressure from summer, and air from autumn.
- 1 to 7 October 2027Golden Week
A week long national holiday. Ship before it starts or plan for collections to resume afterwards.
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
Choosing your Incoterms
The Incoterm you agree with your supplier decides who arranges and pays for each stage. Agree it before you place the order.
| Term | What it means | Our view |
|---|---|---|
| EXWEx Works | You arrange everything from the supplier's premises, including Chinese export clearance. | The lowest supplier price, but export formalities in China can be hard to manage from the UK. Ask us before you agree it. |
| FCAFree Carrier | The supplier clears the goods for export and hands them to our team in China. | A good choice for most importers, including air and LCL. |
| FOBFree On Board | The supplier clears export and loads the goods on the ship at the Chinese port. | The most common term for sea freight from China. You control the main freight and the UK side. |
| CFR or CIFCost and Freight, or Cost, Insurance and Freight | The supplier pays sea freight to the UK port (and minimum insurance with CIF). | You lose control of the shipping, and UK arrival charges can be higher than expected. |
| DAPDelivered At Place | The supplier pays to deliver to your address. You pay UK duty and VAT. | Simple to buy on, but check who the supplier uses and what their UK charges are. |
| DDPDelivered Duty Paid | The supplier pays everything, including UK duty and VAT. | Check who acts as the importer of record, and that the customs value and commodity code are right: the risk of errors still affects you. |
Incoterms® 2020, published by the International Chamber of Commerce.
Customs, duty and compliance
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
Check before you order
- Import dutyThere is no free trade agreement between the UK and China, so goods from China pay the standard UK duty rate for their commodity code. Some goods qualify for relief or suspension: check the code on the UK Trade Tariff.
- Extra duties on some goodsThe UK applies anti dumping and other trade remedy duties to certain goods from China, such as some steel, ceramic tiles, glass fibre and machinery. These can add a large amount to the cost, so check before you order.
- Import VATCharged on the value of the goods plus freight, insurance and duty. VAT registered businesses can use postponed VAT accounting to account for it on their VAT return rather than pay it at the border.
- Product safety and markingAs the importer, you are responsible for the safety and compliance of what you bring in, including UKCA or CE marking and importer details on the product or packaging where the rules require them.
- Batteries and dangerous goodsLithium batteries, chemicals, aerosols and similar goods need safety data sheets and test reports (for example UN38.3 for lithium batteries) before they can be booked.
- Cargo insuranceA carrier's liability is limited by international rules and is often far less than the value of your goods. We can arrange cargo insurance on request.
Official sources
General guidance, last reviewed October 2026. It is not legal or tax advice: rules change, so check the official sources or ask our customs team about your goods.
Selling online to UK consumers
For brands and marketplace sellers who source in China and sell to customers in the UK. How VAT works depends on how your goods reach the customer.
Goods sent straight to consumers, £135 or less
VAT is charged at the point of sale by the seller or the online marketplace, not at the border. These consignments currently have relief from customs duty, but the government has announced that this relief will end by March 2029 at the latest.
Goods sent straight to consumers, over £135
Import VAT and any customs duty are due when the goods arrive in the UK.
Stock imported in bulk to sell from the UK
This is a normal business import, and it is where we help: air, LCL or a full container, UK customs clearance with postponed VAT accounting if you are VAT registered, and delivery to your own warehouse or your fulfilment provider. You then charge UK VAT on your sales in the usual way.
For freight forwarders and agents
A UK and China partner for forwarders and network members, with our own UK team and the CTS group's offices across China.
- Rate requests, spot quotes and tenders on China and UK lanes, by air, sea and rail
- UK customs clearance and delivery for your inbound shipments
- Origin collection and export clearance in China through the CTS group
- Project, vehicle and battery storage cargo, through our specialist teams
- CTS is a member of WCA, the World Cargo Alliance
What happens after you ask for a quote
- Tell us about the shipmentRoute, goods, rough size and weight, and when it is ready. Use the form below or call us.
- A UK specialist replies within 1 hourWith questions if we need them, and the options that suit your cargo.
- Your quoteA clear price that shows what is included, what may be charged separately, and whether it is port to port or door to door.
- Booking and collectionWe contact your supplier in China, book the collection and check the export documents.
- Customs and deliveryWe submit the UK import declaration, keep you updated at each stage and deliver to your address.
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.
Do I pay import duty on goods from China?
Usually, yes. There is no free trade agreement between the UK and China, so the standard UK duty rate for the commodity code applies, plus import VAT. Some goods also carry anti dumping or other trade remedy duties. Check the code on the UK Trade Tariff, or ask us.
Which Incoterm should I buy on from China?
For most importers, FOB for sea freight or FCA for air and smaller shipments gives a good balance: the supplier clears the goods for export, and you control the main freight and the UK side. Ex Works and DDP need more care. We can advise before you agree terms with your supplier.
Can you handle smaller shipments?
Yes. We ship samples and smaller loads by air freight or in a shared container (LCL), and we tell you when a full container becomes the better value.
When should I book around Chinese New Year?
As early as you can. Many factories close for one to two weeks or more, and freight space and rates tighten in the weeks before. Aim to have goods ready and collected before your supplier closes.
I sell online to UK consumers. Who pays VAT on goods worth £135 or less?
For consignments of £135 or less sold directly to UK consumers, VAT is charged at the point of sale by the seller or the online marketplace, not at the border. Above £135, import VAT and any duty are due when the goods arrive. If you import stock in bulk to sell from the UK, it is imported as a normal business shipment.
Do you work with other freight forwarders?
Yes. We quote rates, spot requests and tenders for forwarders and agents, and handle UK customs clearance and delivery for their shipments. Use the forwarder enquiry form on our quote page.
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].
Forwarder or agent?
Use our forwarder enquiry form for rates, spot quotes and tenders.