Yes, but hazardous materials shipments are highly regulated. They require special handling, packaging, and documentation in compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. Make sure to consult with your freight forwarder to ensure compliance.
Shipping costs can be reduced through strategic choices, such as consolidating shipments (LCL/LTL), choosing cost-effective transport modes (e.g., ocean freight for non-urgent shipments), and working with experienced logistics providers who can optimise routes, manage customs clearance efficiently, and avoid delays.
Customs clearance in the UK usually takes from a few minutes to several hours. Registered customs brokers file entries directly with HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS). Importers need an EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number to perform their own clearances.
Air freight transit time from China to the UK ranges from 1-5 days, depending on service type and routing. While some routes offer 24-hour door-to-door delivery, the average transit time is 3-5 days, accounting for customs and delivery processes.
Yes, container tracking is available globally with multiple milestones. Track your container’s location from booking confirmation through transit, estimated arrival, and final collection, providing real-time insights into your shipment.
Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are standardised trade terms that clarify buyer and seller responsibilities regarding transport costs, risks, and insurance. Set by the International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms ensure smooth transactions and help prevent disputes in international trade.
Multimodal services combine trucking, rail, and ocean freight for efficient shipping. Available for FCL, FTL, LCL, and LTL shipments, multimodal services enable door-to-door delivery from China to Europe and the UK, offering faster transit times than traditional ocean freight.
Incoterms are globally recognized rules established by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that define buyer and seller responsibilities, including liability, costs, and customs duties for goods transported internationally.
Cargo insurance protects against damage or theft during transport. Premiums are calculated based on the shipment’s value (invoice value + freight + 20% uplift), covering goods moving by air, sea, or land.
Ocean freight transit times vary by route: intra-Asia and intra-Europe routes take about 10-15 days, while Asia to Europe typically requires 40-60 days. Shipments from Asia to North America range from 15-25 days to the West Coast and 35-45 days to the East Coast.
EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) is a European identification number required for businesses or individuals involved in importing or exporting goods within the EU or UK. An EORI number is mandatory for customs clearance across Europe.
FTL stands for Full Truck Load in shipping. With FTL shipping, a full truck is dedicated to one shipment, allowing for direct transit from origin to destination. This option is ideal for large shipments that require an entire truck, as it reduces handling and transit times compared to shared loads. FTL shipping provides a more secure and efficient option, especially for businesses that need faster delivery without consolidation stops.
Logistics companies manage the transportation of goods from origin to destination, using freight forwarding solutions across ocean freight, air freight, and overland transport to ensure timely and secure deliveries.
LCL means Less than Container Load. LCL shipments are consolidated with other shipments in a container, ideal for smaller cargo where you pay only for the volume used. LCL shipments are handled at consolidation hubs at origin and destination for efficient delivery, moving goods by sea freight alongside other shippers’ cargo.
FCL stands for Full Container Load, a shipment type where the entire container is dedicated to one shipment. FCL is ideal for larger shipments, as you pay for the entire container regardless of its fill level.
Customs Duty is a tax imposed on goods transported across international borders. The duty amount depends on the goods’ value, origin, and type. Importers are responsible for paying customs duties before the goods are released into the destination country.
A Bill of Lading (BOL) is an official document issued by a carrier to a shipper, detailing the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being transported. It serves as a shipment receipt and is essential for customs clearance, transfer of ownership, and dispute resolution.
LTL (Less than Truckload) is a road freight solution for smaller shipments that consolidate multiple consignments into one truck. Unlike Full Truck Load (FTL), where you pay for the entire truck, LTL allows you to pay only for the space used.
Consolidated shipments combine multiple shipments from different shippers into one container or truckload. Consolidation across ocean, air, or road freight reduces per-unit costs and optimises container space for more economical shipping.
AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) is a quality mark showing that a business meets international supply chain security standards. AEO accreditation ensures that a company’s customs controls and procedures are compliant and efficient, facilitating smoother customs clearance.
A freight forwarder acts as an intermediary between shippers and carriers, coordinating the logistics of transporting goods from origin to destination. Services include booking cargo space, arranging transport modes, handling customs clearance, and providing insurance, tracking, and warehousing as needed.
Demurrage refers to charges incurred when cargo remains in a container terminal beyond the free time allowed by the carrier. This fee compensates for storage and space utilisation. Demurrage applies when delays occur in unloading or transporting cargo beyond the designated time frame.
Door-to-door delivery is a service in which goods are picked up from the sender’s location and delivered directly to the recipient’s address. It simplifies logistics by managing all transport modes and customs processes, providing a complete shipping solution from origin to destination.
FTL (Full Truck Load) dedicates an entire truck to a single shipment, ideal for larger loads or those needing faster delivery. LTL (Less than Truckload) consolidates shipments from multiple customers in one truck, making it a more cost-effective option for smaller loads, although with potentially longer transit times.
FCL (Full Container Load) is a shipment type where an entire container is reserved for one customer, providing direct transit and minimal handling. LCL (Less than Container Load), on the other hand, consolidates multiple shipments from different customers in a single container, which can be more cost-effective for smaller shipments but may require additional handling at consolidation hubs.
