--- title: "Shipping from China to UK: $7.41/kg, 5-10 Days" canonical: "https://phuonganhlogistics.com/shipping-rates/uk_air_small_general/" description: "Ship to UK from China at USD 7.41 kg — 5-10 business days, duty paid. Duty, customs clearance and final delivery included." retrieved: "2026-11-07" source: "https://phuonganhlogistics.com/" --- ![Shipping from China to United Kingdom](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/country-united-kingdom-1024x576.webp) Air freight — China to United Kingdom Air Freight from China to UK is quoted at USD 7.41 per shipment, not per kilogram, with door-to-door transit of 5-10 business days. Duty, clearance by the destination customs authority and final delivery are inside that figure. Indicative published channel rate for planning, not a quotation. What you actually pay depends on the product and its HS code, chargeable weight, declared value, duty and tax at destination and the exchange rate on the day — it can come in above or below this. USD per KG | Weight / Volume | Rate (USD / KG) | | --- | --- | | 0-20 | **USD 20.60** | ## How these prices are calculated — chargeable weight Freight is not billed on the number on your bathroom scale. It is billed on **chargeable weight**: the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight, where volumetric weight is `L × W × H (cm) ÷ 8000`. Denser cargo pays on its weight; light bulky cargo pays on the space it occupies. Whichever is higher is the one you pay — never the lower. - **One cubic meter = 125 kg.** That is 1,000,000 cm³ ÷ 8000, the same divisor used for the volumetric check, so both sides of this page agree with each other. - **Freight only.** These are published freight rates. Duty, tax and customs charges at destination are not a fixed number we can print: they follow your product's HS code, its declared value and the exchange rate applied on the day of entry, so they are confirmed against your actual goods and quoted separately. - **Indicative only — the real price can be higher or lower.** Nothing on this page is a quotation or a commitment. What you finally pay depends on what the product is, how it is packed, the chargeable weight, the declared value, the destination duty position and the exchange rate at the time. Send the product details, weight and dimensions and we will price your specific shipment. Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP and seven more — see which costs sit with us and which sit with you The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to United Kingdom is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins. - **Seller** — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper. - **Buyer** — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee. - **Negotiable** — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract. | Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | EXW Ex Works | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | | FCA Free Carrier | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | | FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | | FOB Free On Board | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | | CFR Cost and Freight | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | | CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | | CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Negotiable | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | | CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | | DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Negotiable | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | Buyer | | DAP Delivered At Place | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Negotiable | Seller | Seller | Seller | Buyer | Buyer | | DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Negotiable | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | Seller | #### EXW Ex Works Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload. #### FCA Free Carrier Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated. #### FAS Free Alongside Ship Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer. #### FOB Free On Board Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term. #### CFR Cost and Freight Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading. #### CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more). #### CPT Carriage Paid To Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory. #### CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination. #### DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020. #### DAP Delivered At Place Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer. #### DDP Delivered Duty Paid Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload. **Two things worth flagging.** Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship. ## Service Details ### At a Glance Our Small Parcel General Cargo channel collects at Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Yiwu and ships by air freight to United Kingdom. This is a Delivered Duty Paid service: we settle United Kingdom customs duty and import tax for you, and your consignee pays nothing on arrival. - Ships from: Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Yiwu - Delivers to: United Kingdom - Terms: DDP (duty and tax included) - Chargeable weight: greater of gross kg or L×W×H (cm) ÷ 6000 - Prices quoted in USD Built for e-commerce parcels and small B2B consignments delivered to residential or business addresses. The per-kilogram rate above applies to chargeable weight, not to what the scale says. At 125 kg per cubic meter, a carton of light goods can be billed at several times its actual weight, so send dimensions with the weight when you ask for a quote into United Kingdom — a rate quoted without them is only ever provisional. In practice the cargo we move on this lane clusters into a few recognisable shapes — [compressors](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/compressors-logistics/) (HS 84), where clearance turns on cE marking to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC with a signed declaration of conformity, [sanitary ware](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/sanitary-ware-logistics/) (HS 68 / 69 / 70 / 44) and [metal fabrication](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/metal-fabrication-logistics/) (HS 73 / 82 / 83). Each behaves differently against the rate: one fills the payload before it fills the space, the next does the reverse, and the packing brief we send back with the quote is written to the one you are actually shipping. To see this tariff against a real consignment rather than a rate card, the [10 KG](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-shipping-cost-10kg/), [21 KG](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-shipping-cost-21kg/), [50 KG](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-shipping-cost-50kg/) and [100 KG](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-shipping-cost-100kg/) pages run it at a fixed weight and show the landed total, including the point where stepping up a bracket lowers your cost per kilo. They are the fastest way to check whether consolidating two orders into one is worth the wait. Air consignments for United Kingdom arrive through LHR (Heathrow), STN (Stansted) and EMA. The airport of arrival is the one the allocation is booked against and it decides where clearance happens, which matters more than it sounds: cargo landing at one gateway is not simply trucked to another without a fresh customs movement, so confirm the arrival point before you commit. Rate cards are hard to read against a real order, so we also publish worked examples at fixed weights: [10 KG](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-shipping-cost-10kg/), [21 KG](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-shipping-cost-21kg/), [50 KG](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-shipping-cost-50kg/) and [100 KG](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-shipping-cost-100kg/), each showing what that shipment actually costs door to door on this lane. If you are still choosing between transport modes the [China to United Kingdom Air Freight Cost](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/china-to-uk-air-freight-cost/) comparison is the better starting point, and [shipping from China to United Kingdom](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/shipping-from-china-to-uk/) covers the whole journey rather than just the freight. [![China Ocean Freight](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/phuong-anh-logistics.webp)](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/) ## Track your shipment Enter your tracking number below Powered by [17TRACK](https://www.17track.net) — supports 2,000+ carriers worldwide ## Additional Information ### Paperwork Checklist - Commercial invoice with unit values in USD - Packing list with carton count, weights and dimensions - HS code for each product line - Consignee name, full address, postal code and phone number Mismatched values or vague descriptions ("parts", "samples") are the most common cause of customs holds — be specific. ### Where these numbers come from We publish these figures so you can budget, but the assessment that binds is the one [HM Revenue & Customs](https://www.gov.uk/topic/business-tax/import-export) makes on your declaration. Where a shipment is large enough that a percentage point matters, check their current tariff guidance rather than ours. Classification drives everything downstream: the same carton can attract very different duty depending on the heading it lands in, and the structure those headings come from is [the World Customs Organization Harmonized System](https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/overview.aspx). If your product sits near a boundary between two headings, resolve it before shipping rather than at the border. On the air side, anything with a cell or a battery in it, plus liquids, powders, magnets and aerosols, is governed by [the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations](https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/dgr/). Those articles are not refused outright, but they need to be declared at booking so the shipment is built correctly — declaring them late is the single most common cause of an air consignment being offloaded. If this is your first shipment into United Kingdom, the [United Kingdom Country Commercial Guide](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/united-kingdom-customs-regulations) covers the practical import environment in more depth than a rate page reasonably can, and it is written by a party with no stake in your booking. ## China to United Kingdom — Shipping Reference Data | Main air gateways | LHR (Heathrow), STN (Stansted), EMA | | --- | --- | | Destination customs authority | HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) | | De-minimis / duty-free threshold | GBP 135 | | Import tax & duty regime | VAT 20%; duty 0–12% by commodity code | | Local currency | GBP | | Typical clearance / dwell time | 2–4 days | | Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov | | Conformity & certification | UKCA/CE marking for regulated goods | Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping. ## Free 3D Loading Tools for This Air Route This page covers a Air freight service from China to United Kingdom. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote. ### 3D Carton Packing Calculator Air freight to United Kingdom is billed on chargeable weight, so tight carton packing directly lowers your cost per shipment. Enter your product size and see the optimal carton layout in 3D before you book. [Open Packing Tool →](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/3d-packing-layout-tool/) ## United Kingdom Air Freight Checklist - Compare volumetric weight (L×W×H÷6000) with actual weight — the higher one is billed. - Lithium batteries and liquids need pre-approval on most air routes — declare them upfront. - Confirm whether the United Kingdom rate includes fuel and security surcharges or lists them separately. - Shrink-wrap and corner-protect cartons — air cargo is transloaded multiple times. ## Frequently Asked Questions How long does Small Parcel General Cargo from China to United Kingdom take? Air freight on this route runs about 5–10 business days door-to-door, plus roughly 2–4 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms. What duties and taxes apply when importing into United Kingdom? Clearance is handled by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The regime is: VAT 20%; duty 0–12% by commodity code, with a de-minimis position of GBP 135. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival. What does DDP shipping to United Kingdom include on this route? DDP means we quote the freight, the customs entry with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and last-mile delivery in United Kingdom together, so you settle once. The duty and tax portion depends on your product's HS code, declared value and the exchange rate at entry, so it is confirmed against your actual goods — the figures on this page are indicative and can move either way. In what currency is this route priced and paid? Freight is quoted and invoiced in USD; the destination-side currency is GBP. Payment is typically due before departure, and DDP means you settle the full landed cost once. Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to United Kingdom? Yes — battery cargo by air follows IATA PI966/PI967; we run certified battery channels via LHR (Heathrow), STN (Stansted), EMA. Brand-goods and DG paperwork are handled within the DDP service. Surcharges apply. What documents are required for customs clearance in United Kingdom? HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) typically requires a commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading/air waybill, a certificate of origin (may lower duty), and any product certification (UKCA/CE marking for regulated goods). We file these under DDP. ## Historical Price Records All price updates are recorded here. Use the weekly tabs to browse older entries. | Date | 0-20 | | --- | --- | | **2026-11-05**Latest | USD 20.60 | | **2026-11-04** | USD 20.60 | | **2026-10-24** | USD 20.60 | | **2026-10-16** | USD 20.60 | | **2026-10-10** | USD 20.59 | | **2026-09-30** | USD 20.59 | | **2026-09-30** | USD 20.60 | | **2026-09-17** | USD 20.59 | | **2026-09-15** | USD 20.58 | | **2026-09-07** | USD 20.32 | | **2026-08-17** | USD 20.32 | | **2026-08-17** | USD 20.36 | | **2026-08-06** | USD 20.36 | | **2026-08-03** | USD 20.36 | | **2026-07-30** | USD 20.36 | | **2026-07-20** | USD 20.38 | | **2026-07-17** | USD 20.32 | | **2026-07-14** | USD 20.31 | | **2026-07-07** | USD 20.29 | | **2026-07-03** | USD 20.30 | | **2026-07-02** | USD 20.29 | | **2026-06-30** | USD 20.29 | | **2026-06-23** | USD 20.28 | | **2026-06-15** | USD 20.31 | | **2026-06-08** | USD 20.31 | | **2026-05-14** | USD 20.27 | | **2025-12-29** | USD 20.26 | ### Price Trend ## Shipping United Kingdom cargo by industry This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry. - [Transformers New Energy, Power & Electrical](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/transformers-logistics/) - [Sanitary Ware Building Materials & Construction Products](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/sanitary-ware-logistics/) - [Cartons Wood, Bamboo & Paper Products](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/cartons-logistics/) - [Flexible Packaging Plastics, Rubber & Packaging](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/flexible-packaging-logistics/) - [Home Decor Furniture & Home Products](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/home-decor-logistics/) - [Technical Textiles Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/technical-textiles-logistics/) - [Outdoor Products Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/outdoor-products-logistics/) - [Fasteners Metal Products & Industrial Components](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/fasteners-logistics/) - [Electric Motors General Machinery & Industrial Equipment](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/electric-motors-logistics/) - [Wire & Cable New Energy, Power & Electrical](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/wire-and-cable-logistics/) - [Wall Panels Building Materials & Construction Products](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/wall-panels-logistics/) - [Injection Molded Parts Plastics, Rubber & Packaging](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/injection-molded-parts-logistics/) [All 60 industry guides →](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/cargo-sectors/) ![China Ocean Freight](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/warehouse-05.webp) ## About China Ocean Freight China Ocean Freight is a China-based freight forwarder for importers who buy from Chinese factories. We handle the whole move: pickup from your supplier, warehouse consolidation, export customs, the main sea, air or rail leg, import clearance and delivery to your door. On this lane we book space on scheduled freighters and belly cargo out of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, then hand over to our clearance partner in United Kingdom for delivery. - One coordinator owns your shipment from booking to delivery - Prices taken from current carrier tariffs, not index averages - Supplier pickup, inspection, repacking and labeling in China - DDP or DAP terms, with every charge stated before you book [More about us →](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/about/) Talk to our team Small Parcel General Cargo: China to United Kingdom air DDP service [View PDF](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/shipping-rates/uk_air_small_general/download-pdf/) [Download](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/shipping-rates/uk_air_small_general/download-pdf/?dl=1) ⚡ **Answer these and you get a real price, not a range.** These are the exact figures a carrier needs before it will quote. Fill them in once and we can price your cargo the same day — leave them out and we have to come back and ask, which is what turns an hour into a week. ✓ ### Got it — your inquiry is in. A freight specialist is looking at it now. You will have a price by email within one working day. **Want it in minutes instead?** Your details are already written into the message — just press send. Send it on WhatsApp or email it to us instead ## Customs clearance in United Kingdom Duty and tax position, certification, typical port dwell and what actually holds shipments at this border — plus who files the entry. [United Kingdom clearance requirements →](https://phuonganhlogistics.com/customs-brokerage/united-kingdom/) --- *Indicative published rates, not a binding offer. Freight charges depend on chargeable weight, destination and current capacity; duty, tax and clearance are quoted separately.* *Source: https://phuonganhlogistics.com/shipping-rates/uk_air_small_general/ — retrieved 2026-11-07. Rates change weekly; please cite the retrieval date alongside any figure.*