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Shipping to and from China

Mercator is a UK based freight forwarder who can take care of all your shipping from China import requirements. We have been in business for over 30 years and have handled many different commodities from China over the years. Our service covers absolutely everything that you could possibly need when it comes to shipping from China, so you can sit back and relax, knowing that everything is taken care of.

Sea freight vessel loaded with shipping containers

Shipping from China

We have a freight forwarding partner in China, thanks to our founding membership of the global network MarcoPoloLine.  Our agent in China will be able to assist with the Chinese side of the shipment, including China export customs, loading, collecting the goods from your supplier’s warehouse and documentation.  From here, Mercator will oversee the sea freight from China to the UK, UK import customs clearance procedures and even handle your payments to HMRC for any import VAT and duty payable.  Our shipping service from China is comprehensive and efficient.

Sea & Air Freight Shipping from China

With regular sailings for sea freight from China to the UK from the main ports (including Shanghai, Ningbo, Hong Kong and Qingdao), import sea freight generally comes into Southampton and Felixstowe ports.  Transit times for sea freight from China to the UK varies between 22 days to 35 days.  Our import shipping services from China range from less than container loads (LCL), pallets, full 20’ and 40’ containers, and containers for oversized cargo including flat racks and open tops.

We can also take care of air freight shipping from China.  There are daily departures from the major airports in China all calling at London Heathrow.  Air freight from China is much quicker than sea freight and also more expensive.  We only recommend air freight from China if the shipment is urgent, fragile or particularly small/lightweight.  Air freight takes less than a day, but factor in a few days either side for loading, export customs, and then unloading and UK import customs clearance.

Sea freight shipping Vessel loading at port

Exporting to China from the UK

The trade lane for exporting to China is not as high volume as importing from China, however, there is a demand in China for British manufactured goods.  Our export shipping services to China can cover all aspects of shipping so that you can let the experts handle everything and you can concentrate on your business.  Our services cover picking up the goods from your site in the UK, delivery to the UK port, sea or air freight to China, and can even instruct clearance and delivery in China (via our partner agents based in China).

Get in touch for your free quote today

We can handle all commodities for import from China, over the years we have handled goods such as textiles, medical equipment, fashion accessories, glow sticks, stone, gym equipment, books, homeware, hardware and furniture from China.  If you have an import shipment from China get in touch for a quote and/or to discuss INCOTERMs.