China to UK freight forwarder One team from the factory gate to your front door.

Typical windows are 35–45 days by sea (port to door), 20–25 days by rail, 15–22 days by road and 5–8 days by air. Allow extra around Chinese New Year, Golden Week in October and the autumn peak, when space is tight and ports are busy. Your quote gives the window for your route and the date it was based on.

An EORI number (free from HMRC, usually issued within a few days), a commercial invoice and packing list from your supplier, and the right commodity codes for your goods. We lodge the customs entry itself and can help you find the codes.

Two separate charges apply when goods enter the UK. Customs duty depends on the commodity code and the value of the goods — many codes are 0%, most consumer goods sit between 0% and 12% — and it is always payable. Import VAT is 20% on the value of the goods plus the duty and the freight. We quote both up front in the landed cost. If your business is VAT-registered, we use postponed VAT accounting on your import entry: instead of paying the import VAT at the border, you declare it and reclaim it on the same VAT return, so for most businesses it nets to nothing and no cash leaves your account. If you are not VAT-registered, the import VAT is a real cost, which is worth a conversation with your accountant before your first order.

Yes. Trucks run overland from China through Central Asia into Europe and across the Channel, typically 15–22 days door to door — quicker than rail for part loads and far cheaper than air. We offer full loads (a dedicated trailer, up to around 21 tonnes) and part loads from a single pallet, collected at the factory and delivered to your door with customs handled at both ends. It suits machinery, palletised stock, oversized or fragile goods and restocks that can't wait for a sailing. Transit depends on border conditions along the route, so your quote gives the window on the day.

Incoterms set out who pays for what and where the risk passes from seller to buyer. EXW means you collect from the factory door and pay for everything from there. FOB means the supplier gets the goods onto the ship in China and you pay from that point. DDP means everything, including UK duty and VAT, is included to your door. Tell us the term on your supplier's quote and we price the rest.

Yes. Send a description, a link or a sample of what you want. We shortlist factories, check their credentials, get samples and prices, and negotiate on your behalf. You decide who to order from.

On request. A pre-shipment inspection checks quantity, quality, labelling and packaging against your order before it leaves the factory, with photos and a short report. It is the cheapest point at which to catch a problem.

Yes. We prepare cartons and pallets to Amazon's requirements, apply the labels and book delivery to the fulfilment centre on your shipping plan.

You get a reference when the shipment is booked and an update at each milestone: collected, export cleared, departed, arrived, UK cleared and out for delivery. Message us at any hour with the reference and you get an answer.

Standard carrier liability is limited, so marine insurance can be arranged on request for the value of your goods. Ask when you request a quote and we will include the cost.