Shipping costs are very important for any business or individual considering importing from China to the UK.
Understand how much it costs to ship goods from China to the UK? This article will provide a detailed introduction to shipping costs from China to the UK, helping you understand the cost and time of different shipping methods and choose the right one.
How much does it cost to ship from China to the UK
The main ways of shipping from China to the UK are sea and air. The prices of different shipping methods will be different. Below are the costs of various shipping methods from China to the UK.
| Shipping Method | From China to the UK (Cost) |
|---|---|
| Sea freight (20ft Container) | Approx. USD 3,250 for a 20ft container |
| Sea freight (40ft Container) | Approx. USD 4,050 for a 40ft container |
| LCL Sea freight | Approx. USD 100 per cubic meters (m3) |
| Door-to-door DDP Shipping | Approx. USD 8.5 per kgs |
| Air freight | Approx. USD 6.5 per kgs |
| Express Shipping | Approx. USD 10.5 per Kgs |
Cost of shipping 20ft & 40ft container from china to uK
- How much does it cost to ship a container from China to United Kingdom?, the average price to ship a container from China to United Kingdom is from $3150 to $4850 US Dollars.
- The shipping price to ship a full container from China to United Kingdom ranges depending on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft), and the schedule route, please contact our quotation team to receive a detailed rate to ship your container from China to the major container ports in United Kingdom.
The average price to ship a 20ft container from China to United Kingdom is from $3050 to $4050. The shipping timeline to ship a 20 foot container from China to United Kingdom ranges depending on the route.
The average price to ship a 40ft container from China to United Kingdom is from $3850 to $5550. The shipping timeline to ship a 40 foot container from China to United Kingdom ranges depending on the route.
Sea Freight container Cost from China to UK
These are the average prices to ship a container from China United Kingdom with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to United Kingdom for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments from China to United Kingdom.
Learn more: Sea Freight Shipping From China To The UK
| Container shipping service from China to UK | Type of container | Ocean freight rates from China to UK: |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to United Kingdom. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to United Kingdom. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to United Kingdom. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3550 20FT average price from: $4350 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to United Kingdom. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3350 20FT average price from: $4350 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to United Kingdom. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3050 20FT average price from: $4050 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to United Kingdom | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3250 20FT average price from: $4250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to United Kingdom | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3350 20FT average price from: $4350 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to United Kingdom | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3550 20FT average price from: $4550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to United Kingdom | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3650 20FT average price from: $4650 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to United Kingdom | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3650 20FT average price from: $4850 40FT |
Average monthly sea freight costs for shipping containers from China to the UK in 2024
You can calculate ocean freight based on oil price (BAF), cargo size, weight, port of export, port of destination, and seasonal congestion. The annual chart below shows the average ocean freight prices and costs for sending a container from China to the UK in 2024.
These prices do not include additional or unforeseen charges that may be added during your booking or shipping process. These are not current or final prices for shipping containers, please contact Basenton Logistics to request rates for the latest prices.
air freight Cost from China to the UK per kG
Air freight is usually more expensive than sea freight, but air freight is faster. Here are the current freight rates per kilogram for air freight from China to the UK:
| POL | POD | 100-299KG | 300-1000KG | 1000KG+ | Estimated Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | London (LHR) | $10.5/kg | $8.5/kg | $7.5/kg | 3-6 days |
| Shanghai | Manchester (MAN) | $9.5/kg | $8.5/kg | $7.0/kg | 3-6 days |
| Shenzhen | London (LHR) | $10.5/kg | $8.2/kg | $6.6/kg | 4-7 days |
| Shenzhen | Manchester (MAN) | $10/kg | $8/kg | $6.8/kg | 4-8 days |
How to calculate air freight costs from China to the UK
Generally speaking, you should choose the chargeable weight between gross weight and volumetric weight, and use the higher of the two to calculate the air freight costs. The formula for air freight volumetric weight is: (length x width x height)/6000. Assume that you have a batch of electronic products shipped from China to the UK, and the details are as follows:
Actual weight of the goods: 110 kg
Total volume: 729,000 cm³
Price per kg: $7.00
Now, you can determine the volumetric weight using the following formula:
Volume weight = 729,000/6,000 = 121.5 kg (greater than the actual weight of 90 kg)
Therefore, your air freight cost = 121.5 kg x $7.00 = $850.50
Shipping cost from china to UK per kG
Air Freight Cost from China to UK per KG:
China to UK shipping price in air freight is around $6-$12 per Kg.
Shipping rates are more affordable when you ship in large volumes.
Shipping rates from China to UK of 200 kg/1 cbm shipment in air freight is around $1100-$1400 with door to door delivery.
Sea Freight Cost from China to UK per KG:
Shipping rates from China to UK in sea freight are around $1-$3 per kg.
In FCL shipping, the average shipping cost from China to UK of a 40 feet container from China to UK is $3800-$5500.
In LCL shipping, the average shipping cost from China to UK of 200 kg/1 cbm shipment is around $80-$1500 with door to door delivery.
DDP Shipping Prices from China to the UK
DDP Air Freight cost from China to the UK
| Airports in China | Airports in UK | 100kg per kg cost | Total cost for 100kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Felixstowe | 9.5 | 950 |
| Ningbo | Southampton | 9.4 | 940 |
| Guangzhou | Liverpool | 9.6 | 955 |
| Shenzhen | London Gateway | 9.7 | 960 |
| Qingdao | Bristol | 9.8 | 970 |
| Tianjin | Portsmouth | 9.55 | 952 |
| Xiamen | Hull | 9.45 | 945 |
| Dalian | Dover | 8.65 | 858 |
| Hong Kong | Glasgow | 8.75 | 862 |
| Yantian | Edinburgh | 8.35 | 830 |
DDP shipping cost from China to the UK by sea
| POD | 100kg (USD/KG) | 300kg (USD/KG) | 500kg (USD/KG) | 1000kg (USD/KG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London (LHR) | $2.31 | $2.10 | $1.53 | $1.46 |
| Manchester (MAN) | $2.06 | $2.09 | $1.81 | $1.74 |
If you are interested in the cost of shipping from China to other European countries, you can click to read the corresponding post below:
What are the factors that affect the shipping price from China to the UK?
Type of Freight: The cost will depend on whether you are shipping by sea, air, or land (rail or road). Sea freight is generally more cost-effective but slower than air freight.
Container Size: If you’re shipping by sea, the size and type of container you use will affect the cost. Common container sizes include 20-foot and 40-foot containers.
Weight and Volume: The weight and volume of your freight will impact the cost. Shipping rates are often calculated based on weight or volume, whichever is greater.
Distance: The distance between the origin in China and the destination in the UK will affect the cost. Longer distances generally result in higher shipping costs.
Freight Class: The classification of your freight based on its nature and characteristics can also influence the cost. Different carriers may have different pricing structures for different classes of freight.
Shipping Route: The specific shipping route and the ports involved can affect costs. Some ports may have higher handling fees than others.
Transit Time: Faster shipping options like air freight will generally cost more than slower options like sea freight.
Fuel Prices: Fluctuations in fuel prices can impact shipping costs as they affect the overall operating costs for carriers.
Customs Duties and Taxes: You may need to pay customs duties and taxes upon arrival in the UK, which can add to the overall cost.
How long does it take to ship from China to UK
It takes 30 to 45 days to ship from China to the UK by sea, and 3 to 7 days to ship by air. The final shipping time may vary slightly depending on the supplier and delivery address, selected service and route, weather, congestion, etc.
Shipping container time from China to the UK
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Transit time |
| Qingdao | Felixstowe | 42 days |
| Qingdao | Southampton | 40 days |
| Shanghai | Felixstowe | 38 days |
| Shanghai | Southampton | 36 days |
| Yantian, Shenzhen | Felixstowe | 35 days |
| Yantian, Shenzhen | Southampton | 36 days |
FYI: Shanghai in East China, Shenzhen South China, and Qingdao North China, data from these 3 ports is enough to demonstrate the sea shipping time from China to the UK.
Air freight time from China to the UK
Generally speaking, it takes 3 to 7 days for air cargo from China to reach the UK. There are direct cargo flights between some cities in China and London.
How much does it cost to ship freight from China to the UK? The cost of shipping freight from China to the UK varies considerably, depending on several crucial factors. These factors encompass the mode of transportation, container size, weight and volume of the cargo, the specific route, transit time, and customs duties and taxes, among others. Typically, sea freight tends to be more cost-effective but slower compared to air freight, while container size and cargo characteristics play a significant role in determining shipping rates. Additionally, the choice of shipping company or freight forwarder can also influence costs. Therefore, to obtain an accurate estimate for shipping costs, it is advisable to reach out to shipping companies or logistics providers for tailored quotes, keeping in mind that these rates can fluctuate due to market conditions.
Door to Door Shipping from China to UK
Door to Door Shipping from China to UK service is an integrated shipping solution where the freight forwarder takes care of all aspects of the logistics process, from the supplier’s door in China to the consignee’s door in the UK. The service covers a range of shipping methods and logistics solutions, including DDU and DDP.
- DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): Under DDU terms, the seller arranges and pays for shipping to the destination, but the buyer is responsible for any import duties, taxes and customs clearance costs when the goods arrive.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): In contrast, DDP terms mean that the seller takes full responsibility for shipping the goods, including handling import duties, taxes and customs clearance, ensuring that the buyer receives the goods without any additional costs or administrative burdens.
Door to Door Shipping Process from China to UK:
- Pickup: Collecting goods from the supplier or manufacturer in China.
- Transportation: Coordinating inland transportation within China and then coordinating international transportation (air or sea) to the UK.
- Customs Clearance: Handling all necessary customs documents and formalities in China and the UK.
- Delivery: Delivering the goods from the UK port or airport to the consignee’s address.
The price of shipping from China to the UK is affected by many factors, including transportation methods, cargo characteristics, market supply and demand, tax policies, etc. Whether it is door-to-door service or DDP mode, you need to carefully evaluate various factors and choose the right transportation solution.
