Container Shipping to the United Kingdom — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to the U.K.?
- Gateway capacity where it matters. Felixstowe—Britain’s busiest box port—handles 4 million TEU per year; meanwhile, London Gateway is adding a fourth berth and aiming to overtake Felixstowe within five years. (portoffelixstowe.co.uk, thetimes.co.uk)
- Fully digital quoting & booking. Instant FCL and LCL prices for every major U.K. gateway, plus Canary & Channel-Islands feeders.
- Post-Brexit paperwork, simplified. In-platform guidance for CDS customs declarations and the standard 20 % import-VAT calculation—no clearance surprises. (gov.uk)
- Multimodal reach. Door deliveries via on-dock rail at Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway, and next-flight upgrades through Heathrow (LHR), East Midlands (EMA) and Manchester (MAN) when speed beats cost.
Our Container Shipping Services to the United Kingdom
Full Container Load (FCL)
High-volume shippers land sealed 20', 40' & 40'HC boxes directly at Felixstowe (GBFXT), Southampton (GBSOU), London Gateway (GBLGP) and Liverpool (GBLIV)—ideal for electronics, automotive parts and retail replenishment.
Less-than-Container Load (LCL)
SMEs and e-commerce sellers save up to 50 % on consignments < 15 m³ via our weekly LCL consolidations in bonded depots at Felixstowe and London Gateway.
Popular mode: FCL still dominates big-box retail, while LCL is surging for Amazon-UK sellers and just-in-time parts.
Key ports / airports: Felixstowe, London Gateway, Southampton, Liverpool; urgent cargo via LHR, LGW & MAN.
Typical cargo: Electrical machinery, vehicles & parts, fashion apparel, wine & spirits —U.K.’s top import groups. (oec.world)
Transit-time snapshots:
- Shanghai → Southampton: ~ 36–41 days port-to-port (MSC Griffin loop).
- New York → Southampton: ~ 10–14 days on the water (East-Coast trans-Atlantic).
Country-specific challenge: Post-Brexit CDS declarations are now mandatory—file docs before vessel arrival to avoid storage. (gov.uk)
Alternative option: Air freight trims door-to-door to 3–5 days via LHR or EMA for high-value electronics or fashion drops.
Container shipping rates to the United Kingdom
How much does it cost to ship a container to the UK?
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to the U.K.?
- East Asia → U.K. East Coast: ~ 36–41 days
- North Europe short-sea → U.K.: 3–7 days
- U.S. East Coast → U.K.: 10–14 days
Air freight door-to-door: 3–5 days via LHR / EMA.
Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to the U.K.
- Asia–North Europe loops feed Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway direct from Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Singapore.
- Trans-Atlantic lanes bring cargo from New York, Savannah and Charleston into Southampton and Liverpool.
- Short-sea feeders connect Rotterdam, Antwerp and Le Havre to all U.K. hubs every 2–3 days.
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
- Quote: Enter origin, destination and cargo specs for an instant price.
- Docs: Upload commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes.
- Book & Pay: Confirm sailing and pay securely online.
- Track: Monitor vessel milestones and customs status in real time.
- Clear: Submit CDS declaration and pay duties/VAT (DIY or via our broker).
- Deliver: Arrange final-mile trucking or rail to warehouse, FBA, or free-port.
What Can You Ship in a Container to the U.K.?
Common Commodities
- Electronics
- Automotive components
- Machinery
- Apparel
- Wine & spirits
Restricted / Prohibited
Counterfeit brands, certain foodstuffs without sanitary certificates, hazardous chemicals lacking U.K. REACH registration.
Main ports in the United Kingdom
FAQs About Shipping Containers to the United Kingdom
Yes—under 15 m³ you avoid paying for unused FCL space, typically saving 40–60 %.
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended—add door-to-door cover at checkout.
Secure space 6–8 weeks ahead of the late-October surge to avoid roll-overs and rate spikes.