How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to the UK?

With the vigorous development of global trade and cross-border e-commerce, the demand for goods shipped from China to the UK continues to grow. Whether it is a large quantity shipment by sea for a business or an urgently needed parcel by Air freight for an individual, the cost of shipping is always a central concern. As of February 24, 2025, shipping costs are affected by multiple factors, including‌ shipping method (Air freight, Sea freight, International express)‌, ‌cargo type and weight‌, ‌tariff policy‌, and ‌market fluctuations‌. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of different shipping options and, based on the latest industry data, provide a precise cost estimation framework to help you efficiently plan international logistics!

Shipping from China to the UK

Goods are transported from China to the UK mainly by ‌sea and ‌air‌ ‌freight.‌ Due to its affordability, sea freight ‌is the preferred option for large or non-urgent shipments. It is transported through significant ports such as London and Southampton, which is inexpensive but time-consuming (20-40 days).‌ Air freight ‌depends on airports such as Heathrow and Manchester and can be delivered within 2-7 days. It is suitable for high-value or urgent shipments but is more expensive. Shipping costs are affected by the nature and volume of the goods, as well as tariffs and surcharges (such as insurance and peak season surcharges), and need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

‌Operating procedures‌: After selecting the shipping method, you must pack the goods appropriately and label them with information. You should then entrust a professional freight forwarding company (such as HongOcean) to handle customs clearance and tracking while ensuring that the customs clearance documents (invoices, licenses) are accurate. Cooperating with a service provider with experience in shipping between China and the UK is recommended, which can effectively avoid risks and simplify the process. If you need to balance timeliness and cost, you can refer to real-time logistics data for flexible planning to ensure that the goods arrive safely and efficiently.

Major Chinese and UK ports

If you are a business in the UK looking to import goods from China regularly, you should familiarise yourself with the major ports in China and the UK.

Here is a comprehensive list of some of the biggest and busiest shipping ports in China:

1. Port of  Shanghai

Port code: CNSHA

This deep-sea and riverine port, managed by the Shanghai International Port (Group) Company, is in close proximity to China’s major industrial and manufacturing hubs. Located in the Shanghai province, it is the busiest container port in the world, with an overall container throughput of 43.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2020. The port, which opened its first three terminals in 1842, is now one of the largest port megacities in the world.

2. Port of Shenzhen

Port code: CNSNZ

Located in the south of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in Guangdong Province, the Port of Shenzhen had a throughput of 26.6 million TEU in 2020. One of the largest ports in the world in terms of cargo thoroughfare, this port is formed of several ports along the coastline of Shenzhen, like Nanshan Port, Dachan Bay Port, Dachan Island, and Xiaochan Island Ports. It stretches along 260 km of coastline and is part of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor. About 40 shipping companies have their headquarters at this port, and 230 international container routes pass through it.

3. Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

Port codes: CNNBO and CNZOS

Mainly owned and managed by the Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group, it is located in the Zhejiang province in eastern China. The Ningbo port includes the port areas of Yongjiang, Beilun, Zhenhai, Daxie, Chuanshan, Meishan, Xiangshan and Shipu,. The port is well connected to the mainland and has been the world’s largest port by cargo tonnage for over a decade. It is also the world’s third busiest port in terms of container traffic, handling about 28.7 million TEUs in 2020. As of 2021, it was connected by 287 shipping services, with 117 routes servicing China’s Belt and Road Initiatives.

4. Port of Guangzhou (Nansha)

Poster code: CNGGZ

Guangzhou Harbour is one of the busiest ports in mainland China. Managed by the Guangzhou Port Group Company, it trades with over 80 nations and 300 ports. In 2020, it handled about 23.2 million TEUs of container traffic. Port of Nansha (deepwater port) is the largest port area in Guangzhou Port. It is the geographic centre of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a scheme by the Chinese government to link the cities of Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, and Zhaoqing into an integrated economic hub.

Nansha is also the only deepwater container hub in the west PRD region, which generates a large part of China’s exports. 

5. Qingdao Port

Port code: CNQIN

Located between the Bohai Rim port region and the Yangtze River Delta port region in China, the port handled 22 million TEU in 2020. The fifth-largest port in China maintains shipping routes with more than 700 ports in 86 countries and regions worldwide.

Sea Freight Cost from China to the UK

Shipping costs from China to the UK are affected by‌ several factors, such as cargo volume, market supply and demand, and route fluctuations.‌ The reference shipping container freight rates are as follows:

Cost of shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to the UK

As the mainstream container types for international shipping, the cost differences between 20-foot and 40-foot containers are not only reflected in the base freight rate. Still, they are also closely related to dynamic factors such as route selection, fuel surcharge fluctuations, and port congestion. The following is a breakdown of the current shipping costs from China to the UK for 20-foot and 40-foot containers.

Air Freight Cost from China to the UK

Air freight from China to the UK is subject to several factors and is well-suited for high-value, time-sensitive goods. However, it should be noted that air freight costs are relatively high and are typically calculated based on the cargo’s billed weight (actual weight or volume weight, whichever is greater). Prices are subject to seasonal and market fluctuations. The following are the current air freight prices per kilogram from China to the UK:

How can I reduce the cost of shipping from China to the UK?

• Choose the correct shipping method. Sea freight is the cheapest, while Air freight is the fastest.
• Plan the shipping time reasonably to avoid the peak season and take advantage of the lower shipping cost during the off-season.
• Optimize the shipping route and port selection. Different ports have different fees, and reasonable selection can reduce costs.
• Make full use of LCL or FCL shipping and choose the most economical option based on the volume of goods.
• Compare different freight forwarding quotes and choose a cost-effective logistics company or establish a long-term partnership to obtain discounts.
• Optimize cargo packaging to reduce volume and weight to lower shipping costs, especially for Air freight.
• Take advantage of tariff incentives and efficient customs clearance to avoid additional costs and improve logistics efficiency.