Shipping from China to the UK
Air freight from China to the UK typically takes 3–6 days airport-to-airport; express courier for smaller shipments typically 2–4 days. Documents are pre-checked before cargo moves, and you see every milestone from pickup to delivery.
Transit times
Main gateways
Air gateways: London Heathrow (LHR), East Midlands (EMA), Stansted (STN)
Common cargo
- E-commerce and marketplace replenishment
- Consumer goods and electronics
- Fashion and apparel
- Samples and promotional stock
Customs notes
- A GB EORI number is required for UK customs clearance.
- UK import VAT applies to most goods; postponed VAT accounting is available — ask us or your broker.
- UKCA / product-compliance requirements apply to certain categories — we flag document needs at quote stage.
Common questions
How much does air freight from China cost?
Air freight is priced on chargeable weight — the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight — plus fuel, security, and handling surcharges. Rates change with route, season, and cargo type, so an accurate price needs your origin, destination, weight, dimensions, and cargo description.
Do you handle customs clearance at the destination?
On door-to-door shipments, yes — our destination partners clear customs and deliver to your address. On airport-to-airport shipments, your own broker handles destination clearance. Tell us which setup you prefer and we will quote accordingly.
Which countries can you ship to?
Virtually everywhere. We run air freight and express courier from every major China gateway — including Hong Kong — to most markets worldwide, with regular lanes across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Only a small number of destinations are excluded, due to international sanctions or carrier restrictions — tell us where your cargo is going and we will confirm routing within 24 hours.
Related
Get a price that holds.
Tell us about your cargo — a person on our export desk replies within 24 hours.