China is one of the main countries from which many goods are shipped to other countries. Shipping goods from China to the UK can be an intricate process that involves many other parts. The entire shipping process involves different methods, each with its own cost. Various factors can affect the price of the shipping.
If you’re new to shipping from China to UK and want to know all the costs and the different methods, then this article is just for you. So, let’s jump into the article, compare the other shipping methods, and look at the breakdown of the prices.
Express Shipping from China to UK
Express shipping from China to UK is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to send your parcels. This is ideal for people who are looking for urgent deliveries, as well as for those on our e-commerce platforms who want to send their orders quickly to their customers. Express shipping is also known for delivering lightweight goods.
Some of the common couriers that offer express shipping from China to UK are DHL, UPS, FedEx, and other services. Following are some of the key features that you can get by availing express shipping from China to UK.
- Fast Delivery: Express shipping is one of the quickest ways to transport goods from China to the UK. Your parcel might reach its destination in three to five business days.
- Door-to-door Services: Many courier services, such as DHL UPS, also offer door-to-door services. This means that the package will be delivered to the customers’ doorsteps.
- Higher Cost: Express shipping from China to UK can be more expensive than air or sea freight. However, the prices might vary according to the destination and the weight of the package.
The following are reference quotations for each weight range within 5kg and the currency is USD.
| Weight(g) Carriers |
Country two-word code | 0-500 | 500-1000 | 1000-1500 | 1500-2000 | 2000-2500 | 2500-3000 | 3000-3500 | 3500-4000 | 4000-4500 | 4500-5000 |
| DHL | GB | N/A | N/A | N/A | 42.16 | 46.16 | 50.61 | 58.17 | 63.09 | 70.64 | 75.59 |
| UPS | GB | 24.36 | 28.92 | 33.45 | 37.9 | 42.43 | 45.96 | 49.31 | 52.61 | 55.81 | 59.32 |
Sea Freight Shipping from China to UK
If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, sea freight might be the best choice for you. It might take longer than air freight, but it is a good choice for people who are looking for affordability and don’t want their parcel urgently. Below, we have mentioned some of the reasons why this way of shipping from China to UK can be ideal for you.
- Cost-Effective: One of the main key features of sea freight is that it is significantly cheaper than air and express shipping. The shipping cost from China to UK can range, I don’t know, from $865 to $1,325 per CBM, which makes us very affordable for consumers.
- Longer Delivery Times: Another important thing to remember when it comes to sea freight shipping from China to UK is that it can take relatively more days than express shipping. The entire process can take up to 43 to 55 days.
- Larger Packages: Sea freight shipping is ideal for people who want to send larger packages. It is also great for e-commerce platforms that want to deal with bulk shipments and oversized cargo or heavy goods.
| Destination Port | Warehouse Codes | Shenzhen 1CBM+ | Ningbo 1CBM+ | Shanghai 1CBM+ | Xiamen 1CBM+ |
| FLX/SOU | WYT-WT, WYT-UKTW Warehouse | 945 | 950 | 950 | 945 |
| BHX4 (CV5-9DQ) | 975 | 950 | 950 | 975 | |
| LBA4, LBA4-NEW, MANA, BHX8, LBA8 | 995 | 1020 | 1020 | 995 | |
| Goodcang-SH6S2, Goodcang-AMI582 | 1,005 | 1030 | 1030 | 1,005 | |
| BHX1, BHX3, BHX5 New, BHX7, XUKD | 1,025 | 1030 | 1030 | 1,025 | |
| LTN1, LTN7, MAN1, MAN2, EMA1, EMA1- | 1,225 | 1200 | 1200 | 1,225 | |
| EMA2, EMA2-, EMA4, LTN4-, EUKS, XUKA | 1,225 | 1200 | 1200 | 1,225 | |
| DSA7, BRS1, XDS1, LBAZ | 1,225 | 1200 | 1200 | 1,225 | |
| MME1, MME2, CWL1, LCY2, LCY1 | 1,325 | 1320 | 1320 | 1,325 | |
| UKTAM05LM (B78 2FG) | 865 | 870 | 870 | 865 | |
| UKTAM05 (B78 2FG) | 865 | 870 | 870 | 865 | |
| Shipping Times | Shenzhen: Ship after 43-47 days Ningbo: Ship after 45-55 days Shanghai: Ship after 45-55 days | ||||
Air Freight Shipping from China to UK
If you’re trying to find the fastest way of shipping from China to UK, air freight is the best method. It is great for people who have time-sensitive shipments; however, it is important to know that. It is also great for people who are willing to pay shipping costs for speed and reliability. Below, we have mentioned some of the key features that can help you understand why air freight shipping from China to UK can be a great option for you.
- Fast Transit Times: One major feature of air freight is that it takes very few days for the shipment to arrive at the destination. Regular air freight can take up to 5-7 days, while economic air freight will take 10-12 days.
- Reliable and Secure: Air freight is a great option for people who are looking for lower-risk methods. This method is ideal for high-value and time-sensitive packages that need to be delivered quickly and safely.
- Higher Cost: The shipping cost from China to UK through air freight can be quite high. Therefore, if you are willing to pay for the speed, this is a great option for you.
| Regular Air Freight (USD/kg) | ||||||
| Zone | 21KG+ | 45KG+ | 101KG+ | 1000KG+ | Destination Airport | Estimated Time |
| UK (No Tax) | 4.52 | 4.38 | 4.24 | 4.11 | LHR | 5-7 days (natural days) |
| UK (With Tax) | 4.39 | 4.79 | 4.66 | 4.52 | LHR | 5-7 days (natural days) |
| Economic Air Freight (USD/kg) | ||||||
| Zone | 21KG+ | 45KG+ | 101KG+ | 1000KG+ | Destination Airport | Estimated Time |
| UK (No Tax) | 3.97 | 3.83 | 3.7 | 3.56 | LHR | 10-12 days (natural days) |
| UK (With Tax) | 4.38 | 4.24 | 4.11 | 3.97 | LHR | 10-12 days (natural days) |
3PL Dedicated Shipping Line from China to the UK
Partnering with a specific shipment carrier can be a little expensive. Hence, you can also opt for 3PL shipping lines that are dedicated to sending parcels from China to the UK. Not only do these fulfillment centers help with the shipment of the first, but they also have in the packaging, taking the order, and other parts of the logistics. Hello, we have mentioned amazing 3PL performance centers that can help with shipping from China to UK.
NextSmartShip
NextSmartShip is a dedicated 3PL fulfillment center that helps e-commerce businesses send orders from China to the UK. They offer companies stable transit times, and the amazing thing is that they provide competitive rates. The key feature of this fulfillment company is that they also have a balance between speed and cost. Standard shipping can take anywhere between 10 and 12 days, while express shipping will only take 3 to 7 business days. Hence, for businesses that are shipping regularly, NextSmartShip is an amazing center that will ensure smooth shipping of the parcels.
4px
4px is also a well-known third-party logistics company that offers amazing services for shipping parcels from China to the UK. The best thing about them is that they specialize in cross-border e-commerce logistics. They are also a good and cost-effective shipping solution. The transit times are also quite quick, which means that the customers can get the parcels in a couple of days.
YunExpress
If you are a B2C e-commerce business trying to find a good 3PL service, YunExpress is the right option for you. They are also known for their secure and reliable deliveries. YunExpress is also a great option if you are looking for budget-friendly shipment lines. They also have a quick shipment, according to which the standard delivery can take 8-15 days, and the express delivery can take 5-10 business days.
The following are reference quotations for each weight range within 5kg and currency is USD.
| Weight(g) | Country two-word code | 200 | 500 | 1000 | 1500 | 2000 | 2500 | 3000 | 3500 | 4000 | 4500 | 5000 |
| Nomal Economic | GB | 3.78 | 5.65 | 8.59 | 11.53 | 16.12 | 18.68 | 21.87 | 25.07 | 28.26 | 31.46 | 34.65 |
| Electric Economic | GB | 4.15 | 6.49 | 10.27 | 14.55 | 18.51 | 22.46 | 26.41 | 30.36 | 34.32 | 38.27 | 42.22 |
| Nomal Expedited | GB | 4.23 | 6.61 | 10.47 | 15.35 | 19.55 | 23.75 | 27.95 | 32.15 | 36.35 | 40.54 | 44.75 |
| Electric Expedited | GB | 5.22 | 8.41 | 13.72 | 19.04 | 24.35 | 29.67 | 34.98 | 40.29 | 45.61 | 50.92 | 56.23 |
Road Freight
As the name suggests, in this option, goods are delivered through roads from China to the UK. This method takes advantage of the extensive road network that is nations between China and the UK to transport your goods. This method is next preferred because taking advantage of these established road networks, goods can be securely and firmly transported from one region to another. Although the distance between the two countries is large, this method only takes about two to three wakes for goods to be delivered. This makes it faster than rail and sea freight while being much cheaper than air freight. Its pros and cons are explained below.
Pros：
- Much cheaper than express and air freight shipping methods.
- It’s possible to transport extremely large and heavy goods through this method.
Cons：
- It takes much longer than the first two methods since the vehicles used have to deal with customs for most countries along the way.
Rail Freight
In this option, goods are transported along the rail networks of several countries, making their way from China to the UK by trains. This method utilizes the common Yiwu-London railway line which is one of the longest railway freight lines in the world, passing through many cities in Asia and Europe on its way to London. This option is available to those who are not in a hurry to have their goods delivered and want a cheaper method of transportation. Because of the distance between the two areas, it may take some time before the goods are delivered, between three weeks to a month in order for goods to reach their destination. The pros and cons of this option are explained below.
Pros：
- It is a cheaper transportation option compared to the movement of goods by air or by road.
- Trains can carry extremely heavy or large goods without restrictions.
- It is the option least affected by weather conditions as trains will move regardless of rain, snow, or heavy winds.
- It is one of the safest methods of transport with fewer accidents which will mean fewer delays in delivery.
Cons：
- It takes a much longer time as compared to previous options for goods to be delivered.
- It is not flexible and deliveries can’t be adjusted to the needs of the person transporting their goods.
Shipping Cost from China to UK
The shipping cost from China to UK is an important element when sending a shipment. Below is a detailed breakdown of all four shipment methods mentioned above.
| Shipping Method | Pricing Details |
| Express Shipping | $5-$10 per kg |
| Sea Freight | $865 – $1,325 per CBM |
| Regular Air Freight | $4.11 – $4.52 per kg |
| Economic Air Freight | $3.56 – $3.97 per kg |
| 3PL Dedicated Shipping Line | Cost can change according to the weight of the packages, the destination and time. |
How Long Does Shipping Take from China to UK?
Below we have a breakdown of the time it can take for the shipment to reach UK from China.
| Shipping Method | Transit Time |
| Express Shipping | 3-5 days |
| Sea Freight | 43-55 days |
| Regular Air Freight | 5-7 days |
| Economic Air Freight | 10-12 days |
| 3PL Dedicated Shipping Line | 7-15 days |
The Cheapest Way Shipping from China to UK
The shipping cost from China to UK can be high sometimes, which is why people tend to find cheap ways to ship their goods from China to the UK. Many different factors can affect shipping, such as the delivery time, cargo type, and even weight. Below, we have mentioned a few ways through which you can reduce the price of your shipping from China to UK.
Choosing Sea Freight
Sea freight is one of the cheapest options for large shipments. The cost is mainly dependent on the size of the package, and it can range from $865 to $1325 per CBM. Even though it is a slower way to send shipments and can take up to 43 to 55 days, it will still cost you a lot less compared to other methods.
Partnering with 3PL Shipping Lines
Third-party logistics is another way to get many discounts when shipping from China to UK. The best thing about 3PL shipping lines is that they can negotiate with shipping companies and provide you with an affordable shipping solution.
Economic Air Freight
If you’re looking for a quicker way to send your packages but still want affordability, economical air freight can be a good option. The packages will be delivered within 10 to 12 days. However, it is important to note that economic air freight is ideal for lightweight goods as it will cost you a lot less compared to heavy goods.
How to Cut Down the Shipping Cost & Time from China to UK?
Shipping from China to UK can cost a lot of money. Therefore, there are some ways to reduce the cost and time involved. Below, we have mentioned some of the things that you must know before shipping goods so that you can reduce the cost and time involved.
Weight Your Packages and Reduce Dimensions
One of the main things that you must consider when shipping goods is the weight and dimensions of the package. If the package’s weight is high, it will cost you a lot of money, so it is important to reduce the weight. The dimensions will also affect the pricing of the shipment. Larger boxes can lead to larger dimensional weight, which will make your shipment a lot more expensive.
Partner with 3PL Businesses
Partnering with 3PL businesses can also be beneficial. They can negotiate the prices and ensure that you have affordable shipments. This is also a reliable way to ensure that the packages are delivered to the customers smoothly.
Optimize Packing
Another way to reduce the cost is by optimizing the packaging. If you are sending non-fragile items, it is best to use lightweight packing and compact them so that they do not take up a lot of space. This is a smart way to ensure that you are reducing the weight while still sending all the items that you need to ship in a reduced amount.
Let NextSmartShip Handle your Parcel from China to UK!
Handling the parcel and ensuring that it is shipped to the customers in the right way can be quite challenging. This is why NextSmartShip is here to help you out and make your life a lot easier. It’s the ultimate platform that can help you with the logistics of the packages, such as taking the orders, packing them, and even shipping them to the customers. This will allow you to focus on your business and ensure that it is growing smoothly.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a good 3PL, NextSmartShip is the best place for you. They are also known for providing the best shipping rate, so you don’t have to worry about high shipping costs. So make sure you check out NextSmartShip for their amazing services.
Conclusion
Shipping from China to UK can be quite challenging as there are a lot of taxes and shipment costs that you have to pay. This is why it is important to choose the right shipping method: you don’t have to pay a lot of money. Air, sea freight, 3PL businesses, and a lot of different techniques are available to choose from. There are a lot of other factors that come when it comes to the shipping cost from China to UK, such as the time, weight, and even the packaging of the shipment. Hence, we hope this article was beneficial for you, and now you’re my everything related to shipping from China to UK. Also, make sure to check out NextSmartShip for their amazing services and how they can benefit you with your shipments.
