LHRShipping from China to the United Kingdom
Before you pay any shipper to the United Kingdom, know three things: how long each way takes, where your goods land, and who pays the duty. Here they are. We ship from Shenzhen by express, special line, post, air and sea.
- Fastest
- Express, 2 to 5 working days
- Main airport
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Main seaport
- Felixstowe
- Customs
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Five ways to ship
Ways to ship from China to the United Kingdom
Express
- Best for
- Samples and urgent parcels
- Route
- Door to door, 0.5 to 500 kg
Special line
- Best for
- Parcels that can wait a week, and sensitive goods
- Route
- We run a line to the United Kingdom
Postal packet
- Best for
- Parcels under 2 kg
- Route
- The receiver pays any duty
Air freight
- Best for
- Bulk cargo from 21 kg
- Route
- Airport to door, through London Heathrow (LHR)
Sea freight
- Best for
- Large or heavy cargo, from 1 cubic metre
- Route
- Through Felixstowe or Southampton
Times are our published ranges, checked October 2026. Customs can add days.
How to choose
Which way fits your goods?
- You need it fast. Choose express: 2 to 5 working days, door to door.
- It is a light parcel and cost matters most. Choose a postal packet. It is the cheapest, and it takes longer.
- You ship 21 kg or more. Choose air freight: 5 to 10 days from airport to door.
- It is large, heavy and not urgent. Choose sea freight. It costs the least per kilogram.
- You are not sure. Send us the goods, the weight and your postcode in the United Kingdom. We quote what fits.
Arrival
Where your goods arrive
- Air cargo
- London Heathrow (LHR), East Midlands (EMA), Manchester (MAN) and London Stansted (STN)
- Sea cargo
- Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway
- Final delivery
- Evri
Customs
Customs in the United Kingdom
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) clears imports into the United Kingdom. Imports pay customs duty and import VAT. The rates depend on the product.
- A business that imports into Great Britain needs a GB EORI number.
Last mile
Delivery partners in the United Kingdom
On special line and postal routes to the United Kingdom, these carriers make the final delivery.
Evri
Evri is a parcel delivery company in the United Kingdom.
Read before you ship to the United Kingdom
Air freight to the UK: what your quote leaves out
VAT, duty, EORI and the £135 line, with a calculator.
Read itBefore you pay
4 questions to ask any shipper to the United Kingdom
- What is the full price to my door? Get it in writing, with every fee.
- Who clears customs at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)? Ask for the name, and the fee.
- Who pays the duty and tax? With DDP the shipper does. Without it, you do, on arrival.
- When does the clock start? Ask if "5 days" counts from payment or from the day the goods leave China.
We answer all four in writing when you ask for a quote. A quote is free, and we reply within 24 hours.
Express
Express couriers to the United Kingdom
Warehouse
Bulk orders and combined orders
Bulk orders
One large order from one factory, shipped by air or sea.
Consolidation
Goods from several suppliers, sent as one shipment.
Storage
Hold stock in Shenzhen and ship it in batches.
Selling online in the United Kingdom?
Our sister company preps stock and ships it to Amazon warehouses in the United Kingdom. Amazon FBA prep at China Fulfillment
Questions
What is the cheapest way to ship from China to the United Kingdom?
For a parcel under 2 kg, a postal packet costs the least. For large or heavy cargo, sea freight costs the least per kilogram.
What is the fastest way to ship from China to the United Kingdom?
Express. Most parcels arrive in 2 to 5 working days. For bulk cargo over 21 kg, air freight takes 5 to 10 days.
How long does sea freight from China to the United Kingdom take?
Sailing time from Shenzhen is 25 to 30 days to Europe's main ports. Customs and inland delivery add days at each end.
Who pays the import duty in the United Kingdom?
With DDP, we pay it and you pay one price to the door. Without DDP, the importer pays HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when the goods arrive.
Can you combine goods from several suppliers before shipping to the United Kingdom?
Yes. Your suppliers deliver to our Shenzhen warehouse. We count and check each delivery, then send everything to the United Kingdom as one shipment.
Can you ship a bulk order to the United Kingdom?
Yes. Your factory delivers to our warehouse. We check the cartons, build pallets if you need them, and ship by air freight from 21 kg or by sea freight from 1 cubic metre.
How do I get a price for shipping from China to the United Kingdom?
Send the weight, the box sizes and the delivery postcode on the quote form. We reply with a price for each method that fits.
Is my cargo to the United Kingdom insured?
Cover is not included automatically. We offer cargo cover for an extra fee. Ask before you ship, and tell us the value of the goods.
Quote
Get a price to the United Kingdom
Tell us what you ship and where it goes. We reply with a price.