Sea large cargo
Flexible heavy freight
For household goods, furniture and larger commercial cartons where delivery timing can be planned.
UK SERVICE GUIDANCE
China to UK Shipping Services and Reference Rates
Compare air, sea, rail, large-cargo and sensitive-goods directions using the actual goods, finished carton, full UK postcode and delivery requirement. Reference prices are not final quotations.
START WITH THE SHIPMENT
Choose the service direction before applying a rate
Weight bands, dimensional weight, minimum charge, goods category, postcode and packing may change the final service and payable amount.
Urgent small parcelsCompare eligible standard and sensitive-goods air services.Air directionFlexible consolidationCompare sea-service minimum weights, timing and carton conditions.Sea directionWeight and timing balanceCompare rail eligibility, terms and final delivery requirements.Rail directionLarge or commercial freightUse dimensions, access and unloading conditions for a separate review.Large-cargo direction
AIR FREIGHT
UK air-service reference guidance
Air services suit eligible time-sensitive goods. Standard goods, sensitive goods, postal parcels and larger cargo have different terms and acceptance conditions.
| Service | Reference timing | Best for | Confirm first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard air | About 4-8 days | Eligible clothing, books, shoes and daily goods | Final weight, dimensions, product attributes and full postcode |
| Sensitive-goods air | About 6-10 days | Eligible cosmetics, food, non-controlled medicines or built-in battery goods | Product details, capacity, quantity, packing and route eligibility |
| Postal sensitive parcel | About 12-30 days | Eligible light sensitive parcels | Weight limit, tracking/service terms, tax and product conditions |
| Large-cargo air | About 8-14 days | Luggage, furniture, equipment and oversized goods | Dimensions, packing, UK access, unloading and delivery conditions |
SEA FREIGHT
UK sea-service reference guidance
Sea freight can suit non-urgent clothing, household goods, larger cartons and qualifying sensitive goods. Check minimum chargeable weight and final dimensions.
| Service | Reference timing | Best for | Confirm first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard sea consolidation | About 42-52 days | Eligible household goods and ordinary cartons | Minimum chargeable weight, carton size and postcode |
| Sensitive-goods sea | About 55-60 days | Eligible product-specific sensitive shipments | Ingredients, capacity, quantity, packing and route conditions |
| Sea small parcel | About 55-65 days | Compatible light shipments under the route limits | One-piece rules, carton size and goods eligibility |
| Sea large cargo | About 40-55 days | Bulk standard goods, furniture and larger cartons | Dimensions, access, unloading, postcode and packing |
RAIL FREIGHT
UK rail-service reference guidance
Rail can provide a different balance between air and sea where route availability, goods category, final carton and timing align.
| Service | Reference timing | Best for | Confirm first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard-goods rail | About 28-38 days | Eligible 10 kg-plus standard goods | Minimum charge, carton limits, highland or island postcode conditions |
| Postal consolidation rail | About 42-60 days | Eligible goods requiring route-specific review | Tax treatment, declaration, product profile and service terms |
LARGE CARGO
How to assess 10 kg-plus, oversized and commercial freight
Large cargo is not priced like a small parcel. Individual dimensions, actual and dimensional weight, packing, postcode, access and unloading change the route decision.
Air large cargo
Time-sensitive larger freight
For eligible luggage, equipment and goods where faster delivery outweighs the higher air-service cost.
Custom freight
Oversized and complex delivery
For unusual dimensions, high weight, special packing, access constraints or delivery requirements needing an individual review.
Why can two parcels with the same scale weight cost differently?
Dimensional weight, weight increments, minimum charges, goods category, carton shape, postcode and handling conditions can all change the service and total.
Is sea freight always cheaper than air?
No. Sea freight is usually more appropriate for flexible, heavier or bulkier shipments, but the minimum charge, final carton and delivery conditions matter.
Can sensitive goods use standard-goods price logic?
No. Product attributes and the specific route determine whether an item is eligible and how it must be handled.
Send complete shipment details to confirm the applicable UK service and quote
Provide goods, final carton data, declared value, full postcode and timing requirement. Larger cargo also needs delivery access and unloading details.