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In 2026, DDPCHAIN offers six primary shipping methods from China to the UK:
- Air freight
- Sea freight (FCL & LCL)
- Road (truck) freight
- Rail freight
- Express courier service
- Door to Door (DDP) shipping service
Each method has its own advantages and limitations. The best choice for you will depend on:
- How urgent your shipment is
- Shipment size and weight
- Type of goods (general, high value, DGR, magnetic, etc.)
- Your budget
- Final delivery location in the UK
Below, we break down each option with real cost examples and transit times based on your 2026 data.
If you need your goods in any UK city in less than 7 days, air freight from China to the UK is usually the best option.
Air cargo is especially suitable when:
- You need fast delivery
- Your goods are high value
- You ship small to medium volumes
- You want more stable transit times than sea
DDPCHAIN currently offers air freight from all major Chinese cities, including:
- Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, and more
…to major UK destinations such as:
- London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, and other main airports
Air freight can be more expensive than sea or rail, but you receive the goods much faster and can sell to your final customer sooner, which improves cash flow and competitiveness.
Below are sample 2026 air freight rates for 100 kg of general goods (around 0.5 m³) from key Chinese cities to London.
Air Freight Cost from Shenzhen to London (2026)
Sample rate – 100 kg general cargo
| Origin City (China) | Destination (UK) | Weight (kg) | Volume (CBM) | Transit Time | Total Cost (USD) | Cost per kg (USD) |
|---|
| Shenzhen (Baoan Intl) | London (Heathrow) | 100 | 0.5 | 5 days | $1,382 | $13.82 / kg |
| Shenzhen (Baiyun Intl) | London (Heathrow) | 100 | 0.5 | 5 days | $1,382 | $13.82 / kg |
Air Freight Cost from Guangzhou to London (2026)
Sample rate – 100 kg shipment
| Origin City (China) | Destination (UK) | Weight (kg) | Volume (CBM) | Transit Time | Total Cost (USD) | Cost per kg (USD) |
|---|
| Guangzhou (Foshan) | London (Waterloo Intl) | 100 | 0.5 | 6 days | $1,000 | $10.00 / kg |
Air Freight Cost from Shanghai to London (2026)
Sample rate – 100 kg shipment
| Origin City (China) | Airport (CN) | Destination (UK) | Airport (UK) | Weight (kg) | Volume (CBM) | Transit Time | Total Cost (USD) | Cost per kg (USD) |
|---|
| Shanghai | Hongqiao Intl | London | Waterloo International | 100 | 0.5 | 5 days | $1,100 | $11.00 / kg |
Based on these examples, air freight rates for a 100 kg shipment in 2026 range roughly from $1,000 to $1,382, with:
- Guangzhou: from about $10.00 / kg
- Shanghai: about $11.00 / kg
- Shenzhen: around $13.82 / kg
Transit time stays very fast on all lanes — around 5 days from Shenzhen and Shanghai, and about 6 days from Guangzhou.
Several factors can increase or reduce your final air freight cost and lead time:
Because of this, we always recommend that you send your shipment documents to the DDPCHAIN team before you start, so we can:
Check the HS code and product type
Confirm available airlines
Provide a clear quotation including:
Many importers are not sure which airports in China and the UK can handle freight on their lane. Below is a quick reference list of typical export and import airports used for China–UK air freight.
China → UK Air Freight Airports
| China – Export Airports | UK – Import Airports |
|---|
| Shenzhen – Shenzhen Bao’an Intl (SZX) | London – Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN) |
| Guangzhou – Baiyun Intl (CAN) | Manchester – Manchester Airport (MAN) |
| Shanghai – Pudong Intl (PVG), Hongqiao (SHA) | Birmingham – Birmingham Airport (BHX) |
| Beijing – Capital Intl (PEK), Daxing (PKX) | East Midlands – East Midlands Airport (EMA) |
| Hong Kong – Hong Kong Intl (HKG) | Glasgow – Glasgow Airport (GLA) |
| Chengdu – Shuangliu (CTU), Tianfu (TFU) | Edinburgh – Edinburgh Airport (EDI) |
| Chongqing – Jiangbei Intl (CKG) | Belfast – Belfast Intl Airport (BFS) |
| Hangzhou – Xiaoshan Airport (HGH) | Newcastle – Newcastle Intl Airport (NCL) |
| Wuhan – Tianhe Airport (WUH) | Liverpool – Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) |
| Xi’an – Xianyang Airport (XIY) | Leeds – Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) |
Flight frequency on these routes can change during the year, so before you confirm your import plan it’s always better to check route availability and options with us.
Another common question we receive is: “Which airline is best for my shipment from China to the UK?”
At the moment, more than 15 airlines operate cargo flights between China and the UK. Each airline comes with:
- Different rate levels
- Different transit times
- Possible limitations on certain goods
Some of the main China–UK cargo airlines include:
- Air China Cargo
- British Airways Cargo
- Virgin Atlantic Cargo
- China Southern Cargo
- China Eastern Cargo
- SF Airlines
- YTO Cargo Airlines
From our experience, for many shipments we often recommend:
- British Airways Cargo
- China Southern Cargo
However, DDPCHAIN always selects the most suitable airline based on your specific shipment, not just one fixed carrier.
Sea freight (ocean freight) is one of the main methods for moving goods from China to the UK. Every day we help UK customers use this solution because it is usually the cheapest way to ship larger volumes.
Our sea freight service includes two main options:
- FCL – Full Container Load
- LCL – Less than Container Load
If you’re not sure about the difference, the explanations below will help you choose the right one.
FCL (Full Container Load) means one full container is booked just for your cargo. You don’t share that container with any other importer.
FCL is usually best when:
- Your shipment is more than 15–20 CBM
- You have medium or large cargo volume
When your shipment reaches around 15–20 CBM, the total cost of LCL (including extra handling fees) is often similar to booking a full 20ft container. At that point, it usually makes more sense to take a full container.
Key benefits of FCL:
- Higher safety – no mixing with other shippers
- Faster loading and unloading
- Lower risk of damage or loss
- Better control and privacy over your goods
In simple words:
If your shipment is big (more than 15–20 CBM), FCL often gives you a better price, more control and safer shipping.
LCL (Less than Container Load) is ideal when your shipment is small or medium and you don’t need a full container.
Typical LCL scenarios:
- Shipment below around 10–15 CBM
- Sample orders
- Test orders
- Smaller online seller shipments
- Tight budget for sea shipping
With LCL:
- You only pay for the space you use (for example, if you ship 1 CBM, you pay for 1 CBM – not for a whole container)
- Your goods are consolidated with other customers’ shipments in the same container
Advantages of LCL:
- Lower initial cost
- Great for small and medium shipments
- Flexible for new importers and smaller businesses
In short:
LCL is a flexible and economical way to start importing from China to the UK when your volume is not yet big enough for FCL.
The choice between air freight and sea freight mainly depends on two things:
- How fast you need your goods
- How big and heavy the shipment is
You can think about it this way:
- If you need your products in less than about 7 days, or if the goods have high value, air freight is usually the best option.
- If your shipment is large and your main goal is the lowest cost, and you are not in a hurry, then sea freight is usually better.
So in simple words:
If time is more important – choose air.
If budget is more important – choose sea.
At DDPCHAIN we always review your shipment details and suggest the most suitable option for your case. If you share your shipment documents and details, we can compare air and sea for you and clearly explain the pros and cons.
Costs and transit times are crucial for every UK business because they directly affect your final landed cost, and therefore your selling price and profit.
Sea freight rates depend on many factors, such as:
- Type of container (20ft / 40ft, standard, etc.)
- Shipment size and weight
- Origin port in China and destination port in the UK / EU
- Type of goods
- Shipping date (before holidays, peak season, etc.)
For example, a 40ft container from Shanghai to London will naturally cost more than a 20ft container, and prices typically increase before major Chinese holidays due to higher demand.
Below are 2026 reference prices and transit times for 20ft FCL containers from China to UK-related ports.
Sea Freight Cost & Transit Time – Shanghai to UK (2026)
Full Container Load – 20ft FCL
| Carrier / Shipping Line | Origin Port (China) | Destination Port (UK/EU) | Container Type | Transit Time | Total Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|
| CMA CGM | Shanghai | London Gateway, GB | 20FT | 53 days | $6,786 | Premium spot rate |
| Carrier TBN | Shanghai | London Gateway, GB | 20FT | 54 days | $4,060 | Cheapest long-transit option |
| Carrier TBN | Shanghai | London Gateway, GB | 20FT | 47 days | $4,290 | Good balance of speed + cost |
| Maersk | Shanghai | Dunkerque, FR → UK | 20FT | 50 days | $4,314 | Fast EU route, then UK entry |
| Maersk | Shanghai | Ghent, BE → UK | 20FT | 56 days | $4,246 | Low-cost indirect route |
| Maersk | Shanghai | Ghent, BE → UK | 20FT | 67 days | $4,893 | Longest transit among options |
| CMA CGM | Shanghai | Dunkerque, FR → UK | 20FT | 44 days | $7,327 | Fastest premium CMA route |
| Evergreen | Shanghai | Dunkerque, FR → UK | 20FT | 48 days | $7,309 | Stable and reliable transit |
Sea Freight Cost & Transit Time – Shenzhen to UK (2026)
Full Container Load – 20ft FCL | From Shenzhen / South China to UK ports
| Carrier / Shipping Line | Origin Port (China) | Destination Port (UK) | Container Type | Transit Time | Total Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|
| Maersk | Yantian, CN | London Gateway, GB | 20FT | 41 days | $3,155 | Fastest budget option |
| Maersk | Yantian, CN | London Gateway, GB | 20FT | 41 days | $3,167 | Similar fast-transit Maersk lane |
| CMA CGM | Shenzhen, CN (via Hong Kong) | London Gateway, GB | 20FT | 56 days | $4,260 | Long transit via Hong Kong |
| CMA CGM | Yantian, CN | London Gateway, GB | 20FT | 46 days | $7,940 | Premium CMA CGM option |
| Carrier TBN | Shenzhen, CN (via Shantou) | London Gateway, GB | 20FT | 52 days | $5,305 | Standard service, stable transit |
| CMA CGM | Shenzhen, CN (via Hong Kong) | Felixstowe, GB | 20FT | 40 days | $4,149 | Faster transit to Felixstowe |
| CMA CGM | Yantian, CN | Southampton, GB | 20FT | 37 days | $4,527 | One of the fastest premium lanes |
| CMA CGM | Guangzhou (Nansha), CN | Chichester, GB | 20FT | 42 days | $3,988 | Low-cost UK South Coast route |
| Maersk | Yantian, CN | Chichester, GB | 20FT | 45 days | $3,829 | Cheap & stable option |
| CMA CGM | Shenzhen, CN (via Hong Kong) | Chichester, GB | 20FT | 43 days | $4,257 | Good balance of cost + speed |
| CMA CGM | Guangzhou, CN | Southampton, GB | 20FT | 39 days | $4,797 | Balanced premium CMA service |
From these tables, sea freight costs for a 20ft FCL container in 2026 roughly range from $3,155 to $7,940, depending on:
- Carrier
- Route (direct / via EU)
- UK destination port
In general:
- Shenzhen / Yantian routes offer some of the cheapest and fastest options (e.g. Maersk at 41 days around $3,155–3,167).
- Shanghai routes provide more premium and stable services, with transit times between 44–67 days and rates from $4,060 to $7,327, often via London Gateway, Dunkerque or Ghent.
In summary:
- Shenzhen area – ideal when you want budget + speed
- Shanghai – better when you prefer premium, consistent services to major UK gateways
The UK has several important ports that receive containers from China, such as:
- London Gateway
- Felixstowe
- Southampton
- Liverpool
- Chichester
- Hull
Each port is more suitable for certain:
- Types of shipments
- Final delivery locations
- Carrier service patterns
To choose the most efficient UK port for your cargo from China, consider the factors below.
Key Factors for Choosing a UK Port
| Factor | What It Means | Best UK Ports Based on This Factor |
|---|
| Transit Time | How fast your container arrives in the UK | Southampton (37–40 days), Felixstowe (40–45 days), London Gateway (41–47 days) |
| Sea Freight Cost | How low the ocean freight rate is | London Gateway (about $3,155–$4,290), Chichester (about $3,829–$3,988) |
| Final Delivery Cost (Inland) | Distance from port to your warehouse in the UK | London area → London Gateway |
| North UK → Felixstowe / Liverpool | | |
| South UK → Southampton / Chichester | | |
By combining sea rate + inland trucking cost + transit time, DDPCHAIN helps you decide which port gives you the best total landed cost and service.
China has more than 34 major seaports, and choosing the right one can significantly reduce your logistics costs.
A good rule of thumb is to pick the closest major port to your factory or supplier:
If your supplier is in Shenzhen or Guangzhou
If your factory is in Shanghai, Suzhou, or Hangzhou
If your seller is in Yiwu or Ningbo
Rail freight is another option for shipping from China to the UK, but it is generally available only for FCL (full containers). That means it is not suitable for very small parcels.
Your container can be loaded at different Chinese cities that have rail terminals, for example:
- Harbin
- Shenyang
- Dalian
- Lianyungang
- Beijing
- Yiwu
- Shanghai
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
- Guiyang
- Xiamen
- Shenzhen
- Hong Kong
From there, the train typically travels through countries such as:
Kazakhstan → Russia → Belarus → Poland → Germany → France → UK
This route is often called the “New Silk Road” or the Eurasian Rail Corridor.
Rail freight sits between air and sea in both cost and speed:
- Usually more expensive than sea freight
- But much cheaper than air freight
- Transit time is longer than air, but shorter than sea
This makes rail a good solution if:
- You want a balance between cost and transit time
- Your volume is enough for FCL
- You prefer a land-based alternative to ocean freight
Road freight (trucking) is another overland option for shipping from China to the UK. It is generally used for full truck loads (FTL) from major Chinese cities to main UK destinations.
Road freight:
- Has shorter transit time than sea
- But is much more expensive than sea freight
- Is useful when you want a direct overland solution without using vessels
Example: FTL Road Freight from Shenzhen to London
| Carrier / Service Type | Origin City (China) | Destination (UK) | Distance | Transit Time | Total Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|
| Carrier TBN – Road FTL | Shenzhen, CN | London, GB | 13,395 km | 27 days | $13,001 | Full truck load (FTL), direct overland |
The typical road freight route from China to the UK is long but relatively direct. A simplified version is:
China → Kazakhstan → Iran → Turkey → Europe → France → UK
This is a niche but valuable solution if:
- You need faster transit than sea
- You want to avoid certain sea or rail constraints
- You have FTL volumes and a suitable budget
If you need to send something small and urgent, express courier is usually the best option.
Key points about express courier:
- Ideal for small packages, normally under 10 kg
- Much more expensive per kilo than air, sea, rail or road
- Used when you are under time pressure for delivery
DDPCHAIN works with major branded express courier companies, such as DHL, FedEx, UPS and others. By booking through us, you can often save up to around 70% on the standard courier price due to our contracted rates.
China → UK Express Shipping Cost (1 kg Package – 2026)
| Courier / Shipping Method | Cost (USD) | Delivery Time |
|---|
| HSD-Express | $12.27 | 8–15 working days |
| YunExpress-UK (General Goods) | $17.20 | 6–14 working days |
| YOYBUY Global Line – AIR | $19.73 | 10–15 working days |
| ePacket | $21.93 | 15–25 working days |
| E-express | $23.76 | 10–20 working days |
| Small Package NL | $24.17 | 15–30 working days |
| FedEx IP | $37.71 | 5–8 working days |
| Aramex | $37.74 | 8–12 working days |
| DHL | $41.83 | 3–6 working days |
| UPS Expedited | $52.20 | 8–12 working days |
| YOYBUY Express | $54.80 | 6–12 working days |
| HK–UPS Express Saver | $58.06 | 5–7 working days |
Use express courier when:
- The shipment is very small
- The deadline is strict
- You accept higher cost per kilo in exchange for convenience and speed
Now let’s look at one of DDPCHAIN’s most popular services:
Door to Door (DDP) shipping from China to the UK.
We offer DDP service through several transport modes:
- DDP Air
- DDP Sea
- DDP Road
- DDP Rail
Each method has its own pricing and transit time, but the core concept is the same.
How DDP Shipping Works
With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) Door to Door shipping, you can delegate the entire logistics process to DDPCHAIN:
- We pick up your goods from the seller in China
- We arrange the international transport (air, sea, road or rail)
- We handle the customs clearance and import procedures in the UK
- We release the shipment from customs
- We arrange final delivery to your door in any UK city
You do not need to spend time or energy on:
- Complex customs paperwork
- Negotiating with multiple logistics partners
- Managing separate steps of the supply chain
For many UK importers, DDP is the most convenient and time-saving solution.
Below is an overview of 2026 DDP price references:
| DDP Shipping Method | Price (RMB) | Unit |
|---|
| DDP Air | 35 – 45 RMB | per kg |
| DDP Sea | 6 – 8 RMB | per kg |
| DDP Sea (CBM Option) | 1600 RMB | per CBM |
| DDP Rail | 23 RMB | per kg |
| DDP Truck / Road | 25 RMB | per kg |
From this you can see:
- DDP Air – Fastest, but highest cost (around 35–45 RMB/kg)
- DDP Sea – Cheapest option (about 6–8 RMB/kg or 1600 RMB/CBM)
- DDP Rail – Mid-range in price and transit time (23 RMB/kg)
- DDP Truck / Road – Also mid-range, around 25 RMB/kg
In short:
Air DDP is for speed;
Sea DDP is for lowest cost;
Rail and Truck DDP give a balance between price and timing.
Below is a sample rate table for DHL Express from China to the UAE:
DHL Express Shipping Rates From China to UAE
| Weight (kg) | Price (USD) |
|---|
| 1 kg | $82.44 |
| 2 kg | $110.64 |
| 3 kg | $162.56 |
| 4 kg | $202.56 |
| 5 kg | $242.56 |
| 6 kg | $270.26 |
| 7 kg | $298.21 |
| 8 kg | $325.64 |
| 9 kg | $353.33 |
| 10 kg | $381.28 |
With so many options – air, sea, rail, road, express, DDP Air, DDP Sea, DDP Rail, DDP Road – it can be confusing to decide which solution fits your shipment best.
At DDPCHAIN, we:
Review your shipment details
Product type (including any DGR or magnetic items)
Volume (CBM) and weight (kg)
Supplier location in China
Final delivery address in the UK
Compare all suitable routes
Provide a clear recommendation, including:
So you always understand:
Shipping from China to the UK doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you understand the main transport options and how cost and time differ between air, sea, rail, road, express and DDP, it becomes much easier to build a reliable supply chain for your business.
Whether you need:
- Fast air freight for urgent, high-value goods
- Low-cost sea freight (FCL or LCL) for larger volumes
- Balanced rail or road freight for mid-speed overland solutions
- Express courier for small and time-sensitive parcels
- Or stress-free Door to Door (DDP) service where we handle everything…
DDPCHAIN is here to support you from factory in China to your warehouse in the UK.
If you’d like, you can now share your shipment details (product type, volume, weight and origin city) and we can suggest the most suitable China → UK shipping solution based on the 2026 routes and prices shown above.
