Shipping from China to the UK is one of the most complex logistics routes, especially after Brexit, which completely changed the rules for importing into the UK. The UK is no longer part of the European Union, which means separate customs regulations, specific certification requirements (UKCA instead of CE), and the need to account for import VAT according to British regulations. ELBAN Group organizes comprehensive shipping from China and Asia to the UK – from picking up goods from the supplier in China, through sea or air transport, to customs clearance and delivery to the client's warehouse in the UK.
Sea freight is the most commonly chosen method for shipping goods from China to the UK for larger volumes. The main destination ports in the UK are Felixstowe (the largest container port in the UK), Southampton, London Gateway, and Liverpool.
Estimated sea transit times from China to the UK:
ELBAN Group organizes FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) sea freight from all major ports in China to British ports.
Air freight from China to the UK takes 5–8 business days and is optimal for high-value goods, urgent orders, and small volumes. The main cargo airports in the UK are London Heathrow (LHR) and East Midlands Airport (EMA) – a key cargo hub for FedEx and DHL.
Rail transport via the New Silk Road to the UK is possible – trains reach continental European hubs (Hamburg, Rotterdam, Duisburg), from where the goods are transported by ferry or truck through the Channel Tunnel to the UK. The total transit time is 18–25 days.
Express courier delivery via DHL, FedEx, or UPS from China to the UK takes 3–6 business days door-to-door. It is ideal for samples, documents, and urgent orders.
Brexit introduced fundamental changes to import regulations in the UK. For companies importing from China to the UK, the key changes are:
Separate import customs clearance in the UK – goods from China are no longer covered by EU customs procedures. Every shipment entering the UK must undergo separate import customs clearance in accordance with British regulations (UK Global Tariff).
Independent customs duty rates – the UK applies its own customs tariff (UK Global Tariff), which in most cases is similar to the EU's, but not identical. Customs duty rates for specific products from China may differ from EU rates.
Independent import VAT – imports to the UK are subject to British VAT (standard rate of 20%). Since 2021, the Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) system has been in effect, allowing importers to defer the settlement of import VAT – instead of paying VAT at the time of customs clearance, it is accounted for in the VAT return.
UK EORI number – an importer registered in the UK must possess a British EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number, which is separate from an EU EORI number.
Following Brexit, the UK introduced its own UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) certification mark, which replaced the CE mark on the British market. For companies importing from China to the UK, this means:
Which products require the UKCA mark? Similar to CE in the EU, UKCA is required for products covered by British safety regulations – electronics, machinery, toys, personal protective equipment, construction products, and others.
Is a CE certificate sufficient for sales in the UK? Not as of January 1, 2025. The UK has ended the transition period during which it accepted the CE mark. From this date, most products require the UKCA mark – or both CE and UKCA if the product is sold in both the EU and the UK simultaneously.
Exception: Northern Ireland – due to the Northern Ireland Protocol, goods sold in Northern Ireland may still bear the CE mark (or the special UKNI mark).
ELBAN Group verifies certification requirements for products imported from China to the UK and provides advice on obtaining the necessary certificates.
Every product imported from China to the UK requires import customs clearance. ELBAN Group coordinates customs handling on the British side in cooperation with local customs brokers.
Key elements of customs clearance in the UK:
The UK applies its own customs tariff, the UK Global Tariff. Customs duty rates on goods from China vary depending on the product's tariff code.
Indicative customs duty rates for selected goods imported from China to the UK:
As in the EU, the UK may apply additional anti-dumping duties on selected categories of goods from China. ELBAN Group verifies the current UK customs rate for a specific product before import.
Correct documentation is the foundation of efficient customs clearance in the UK. ELBAN Group verifies the completeness of documents before the goods are shipped from China.
Standard set of documents:
Deliveries from China to the UK follow various routes depending on the chosen mode of transport:
Sea route – container ships from Chinese ports (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo) to UK ports (Felixstowe, Southampton, Liverpool). Goods undergo customs clearance in the UK immediately upon arrival at the port.
Air route – from airports in China (Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou) to London Heathrow or East Midlands. Fast customs clearance at the airport.
Multimodal route via Europe – goods arrive at a continental European hub (Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg), from where they are transported to the UK by ferry or via the Channel Tunnel. This requires two customs clearances – one upon entry into the EU and one upon entry into the UK.
ELBAN Group selects the optimal route based on the nature of the goods, volume, and expected delivery date.
ELBAN Group takes full responsibility for coordinating deliveries from China to the UK:
How long does delivery from China to the UK take? Sea freight takes 28–35 days. Air freight takes 5–8 business days. Express courier delivery takes 3–6 days door-to-door.
Is importing from China to the UK more expensive after Brexit? Brexit has introduced additional costs, including separate customs clearance in the UK, the requirement for UKCA certification instead of CE, and extra paperwork. While the total cost of importing may be slightly higher than it was before 2021, ELBAN Group optimizes each stage of the process to minimize these additional expenses.
Is CE marking sufficient for selling products in the UK? No – as of January 1, 2025, most products require UKCA marking for sale on the British market. ELBAN Group provides guidance on the certification requirements specific to your product.
Does ELBAN Group handle customs clearance in the UK? Yes – we coordinate import customs clearance in the UK in collaboration with local, UK-registered customs agents.
Are you planning to import from China to the UK and need a logistics partner who understands both the Chinese market and the post-Brexit customs and certification requirements? Contact ELBAN Group – we will prepare a customized transport and customs clearance proposal tailored to your goods and schedule.
Request a quote
.svg){kind=small}
