UK based freight forwarder, Mercator, has been shipping rugs from India since incorporation in the early 1990s. Today, we still have a number of customers who import rugs from India, Turkey and Nepal.
Before agreeing to any overseas purchase, get to know your Incoterms, and which best fits your needs. Typically when arranging LCL imports from India, we would recommend either Ex Works (EXW) or free on board (FOB). With EXW you, as the buyer, are responsible for the cargo from the seller’s door, including export customs in India, all the way to door in the UK. If you opt for FOB, then your seller will be responsible to complete export customs in India and deliver the goods to the vessel for shipping to the UK.
The Incoterm you opt for will depend on your appetite for what you are happy to organise (which in reality would be all in your freight forwarder’s hands) and how much the seller of the goods is quoting to complete export customs and haulage to the port.
If you were to choose an EXW term and appoint Mercator, we would handle the entire process of shipping from India for you from door to door in partnership with our agent in Mumbai, providing you with a seamless service and one point of contact.
An important point to consider when shipping rugs from India to the UK is the way in which the rolls are packed for shipping. Over the years, we have seen the best results and minimal issues when the rolls are palletised for shipping, particularly for LCL shipments. This would be an important aspect to negotiate when agreeing the purchase, and necessary information to clarify when obtaining a quote for shipping rugs from India to the UK.
Our team handled this LCL shipment of 68 rolls of hand tufted rugs from Nhava Sheva to Felixstowe for the UK importer (picture below). As this particular shipment was on FOB basis, Mercator handled the LCL sea freight, landing costs in the UK, customs clearance, payment to HMRC of the import VAT and duty, and delivery to the UK importer’s door.
The volume of your shipment would usually dictate whether you utilise LCL or FCL (full container load) shipping. Less than container load shipping is very popular for consignments which do not necessitate a full container, however, it is important to consider a 20’ shipping container, which would typically fit 10-11 pallets depending on the size, could be a preferred option even if the shipment was as little as 7 or 8 pallets, which could be loaded in the dedicated shipping container as loose rolls, or as pallets.
FCL shipments can be preferable in terms of speed, less handling of the goods and sometimes more cost effective if over a particular size. Timings can be slightly shorter if shipping as FCL as the container would be loaded at the seller’s site, rather than at to co-loader’s warehouse, which can be delivered up to a week before sailing. Likewise, when the shipping container arrives in the UK, with LCL you would have to wait for it to be unpacked, whereas a FCL would be delivered directly to your door after customs clearance.
Currently, transit times port to port from India to the UK are 35-40 days depending on loading port, and whether the shipping container transits or if it is a direct sailing. There are weekly sailings from most of the main ports in India. If the transit time looks tight for your timescales, or you require the goods much sooner, then air freight from India to the UK is a backup option, taking a matter of days.
You will need to instruct your freight forwarder to complete your import customs clearance on behalf of your UK based company. To do this, they will require the commercial documents and clarification of the commodity code(s). Currently, import VAT on rugs from India is set at 20%. Import duty for rugs from India varies from 2-8% depending on how the rugs are manufactured and materials used.
Mercator is an HMRC approved AEO agent, so you can confidently appoint us to handle your customs clearances with the knowledge that we are an entity with high standards in tax and customs compliance, customs record keeping, practical standards of competence, and financial security.
To request a quote for shipping rugs from India, or any other commodity, get in touch with our team. We can be contacted by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or complete the form below and we will be in touch.
Whether you have a full shipping container or a single pallet via LCL (less than container load) arriving into Southampton, you will need to arrange for Southampton customs clearance.
Southampton customs clearance will typically be completed by a UK based freight forwarder, such as Mercator. We have direct links with the major ports, and complete our own customs clearance declarations at Southampton for our clients on a direct basis. Our direct links and inhouse processing means that we can provide our clients with a seamless and speedy service when it comes to Southampton customs clearance.
In 2024 Mercator was appointed as an HMRC approved Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) agent. This accreditation emphasises our commitment to compliance and accuracy when it comes to customs clearance. Being an AEO agent requires us to uphold high standards in tax and customs compliance, follow internal processes and procedures, maintain accurate records, and ensure accuracy. When you work with an AEO accredited company, you can be safe in the knowledge that you are working with an entity which is committed to high standards and has been thoroughly inspected and approved by HMRC.
Once you appoint Mercator to complete your Southampton customs clearance, we will require you to complete some simple onboarding paperwork to set you up on our system, alongside sharing the commercial documents for the import shipment: bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin (if applicable), commodity codes and your EORI/VAT number for your company.
Import VAT and duty might be payable depending upon the commodity code for the goods. You can look the commodity code up on HMRC’s trade tariff, which will give you an indication of levels of VAT and duty depending on the origin of the goods. Import VAT can either be paid up front to HMRC (either directly, or via Mercator if preferred) or accounted for on your company’s periodic VAT return (PVA – postponed VAT accounting). Unless you have your own duty deferment account, import duty will need to be paid for upfront, again either directly or via Mercator.
In cases where you have an incoterm which does not include delivery to door, Mercator’s import team can handle delivery to your door by calling on our preferred hauliers based in Southampton. If you have incoterm DAP agreed, Mercator can act as the customs clearance agent.
Get in touch with our team to request a quote for Southampton customs clearance, either with or without delivery to door. You can get in touch by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
Mercator was recently tasked with handling a UK export of cabling for sea freight shipping to Vietnam. Sea freight to Vietnam from the UK typically takes 35 days port to port depending on routing. The routing for this sea freight to Vietnam was Felixstowe to Vung Tau.
Due to the nature of the cabling being out of gauge in height (in excess of 3 meters diameter on the reel), the shipment was deemed most suited to be transported on two 20’ flat rack containers. Utilising flat racks accommodated for the extra height of the shipment, and flexibility with loading and lashing the reels.
Mercator’s export team handled this shipment on a CFR basis – meaning we collected the shipment from the exporter (shipper), loaded and lashed on to the flat racks, transported to the port for export, completed UK export customs clearance, and arranged the sea freight shipping to Vietnam.
Our team has a wealth of experience in handling complex oversized shipments for export from the UK. Whether it is out of gauge, bulky machinery which requires specialist handling for loading and lashing, or heavy plant machinery which cannot be shipped RORO, our team can handle the process for you from start to finish.
Our capabilities cross borders and we can handle complete door to door shipping if required, thanks to our membership of the freight forwarder network MarcoPoloLine. We have vetted and reliable partners across the globe including in Vietnam who we can call on for assistance to get your shipment safely to its destination.
Whether you have an out of gauge shipment requiring specialist equipment, or a single pallet, for sea freight shipping to Vietnam, get in touch with our team who will be glad to provide you with a quote. To get in touch you can call (+44) 02392 756 575, email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or complete the form below and someone will be in touch.
Mercator’s export team regularly arranges shipping to the US from the UK. Our team handles a mix of sea freight from LCL (less than container load), FCL (full container load) and out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo.
Our freight forwarding team most regularly handles dry 40’ and 20’ shipping containers as full loads (FCL). For export shipping to the US from the UK, we see a lot of commercial commodities: parts, engineering components, and machinery.
One of the quickest routes is to the East Coast of the US from the UK which can take as little as 7 days port to port. Once you have added a few days in the UK for loading, arriving at the port before the cut off, export customs clearance and VGM, and a few days in the US for the vessel to be unloaded, US import customs clearance and delivery to door, you can achieve a door to door shipment in less than 20 days.
At Mercator we are able to arrange shipping to the US on any incoterm, from FOB through to DDP, thanks to our membership of the freight forwarding network MarcoPoloLine. Once your shipment to the US has arrived in the US, we will appoint our agent to complete the shipping process according to the incoterm that the goods are sold on. The beauty of this arrangement is that you will deal with the same contact in our office for the entire journey, simplifying and streamlining your export processes.
If you have requirements for shipping to the US from the UK, then get in touch with our team who will be happy to provide you with a quote whether it is a single pallet or multiple shipping containers. Mercator has been trading for over 30 years, we have accounts, contacts and rates with the major shipping lines, direct links with the UK ports, and AEO status. So you can be sure that you are dealing with an established and reputable UK-based freight forwarder. To get in touch with our export team, you can call (+44) 02392 756 575, email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or complete the form below and someone will be in touch.
UK based freight forwarder Mercator is delighted that George (one of our Directors) has been awarded with the qualification of a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA). After rigorous in depth learning and examinations, we are now equipped with an inhouse Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor.
Having a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor is a requirement if you are transporting dangerous goods. Traditionally, Mercator has employed an external consultant to fulfill the role, however, now having George fully qualified means that he will be able to draw up dangerous goods notes (DGN) in a timely manner, directly advise our customers of packaging and packing requirements, and offering a value added service to our customers.
Our team handles various dangerous goods for import and export from the UK. If you are looking for a freight forwarder who can advise and understand your requirements for handling and shipping dangerous goods, then get in touch with us to see how we can work together. You can get in touch with our team by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
Mercator’s export team was recently tasked with shipping machinery to China including the transit, loading and lashing of the piece of machinery on a 20’ flat rack shipping container and sea freight to China. This consignment of machinery was out of gauge as it hung over each side once loaded, this, combined with ability to load and lash, resulted in utilising a 20’ flat rack container for shipping to China.
For this task of shipping machinery to China, we were instructed to handle the shipment as CIF for the UK exporter (the “shipper”). CIF means that the shipper is responsible for the cargo and risks from their door up to the port in the destination country.
Our team arranged for the machinery to be picked up from the shipper and delivered to our partner warehouse where the piece was loaded and lashed securely onto the 20’ flat rack shipping container. Once secured and ready for transit, the shipping container was transported to Felixstowe port for sea freight to China, which our team also handled from Felixstowe to Shanghai port.
Once the shipment arrived in China, the responsibility and risk transferred to the consignee (the importer in China), handled by our partner agent based in Shangahi, thanks to our membership of the freight forwarder network MarcoPoloLine. Our export team is well versed in shipping machinery across the globe using a variety of shipping container types and destinations, including USA and Canada.
If you have a piece of out of gauge, or particularly awkward machinery for shipping, get in touch with our team who will be able to provide you with a quote for export shipping. You can contact us by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
We were recently assigned to handle four FCL (full container load) 40’ high cube containers for export to Malaysia from the UK.
Our export team organised loading the shipping containers at the customer’s site, UK export customs clearance, VGM (weighing of the containers at the port of export), delivery of the laden containers to Felixstowe port and sea freight to Port Kelang, Malaysia.
Currently, due to the issues in the Red Sea and therefore the diversion around the Cape of Good Hope, sea freight between the UK and Malaysia is taking around 50 days port to port.
As with all sea freight sailings, there is a cut off date for vessels whereby the laden shipping containers are required to be on quay to reach that sailing, this adds a few days at the beginning of the shipping process. Once the shipping container has arrived at destination, there will be a few days to wait for the vessel to unload and for local customs clearance to be carried out.
If you have a shipment from the UK for export to Malaysia, get in touch with our team of experienced freight forwarders who will be able to provide you with a quote for sea or air freight. You can get in contact by calling us on (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk, or by completing the form below and we will be in touch with you.
Mercator is delighted to have been awarded Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status by HMRC. Conducting business with a company holding AEO status means you are dealing with an entity which has been proven to uphold certain standards in tax and customs compliance, customs record keeping, practical standards of competence, and financial security.
On a practical note, customs clearing goods with an AEO accredited clearance agent, means you and your company can benefit from efficient and compliant customs controls and procedures for both imports and exports.
A great deal of work has been put into our customs clearance processes and AEO application, including thorough inspections and audits conducted by HMRC. Achieving AEO status is a testament to our team for maintaining these high standards. Congratulations especially to our Directors who worked so diligently on the project.
If you are looking for a trustworthy freight forwarder based in the UK, for imports or exports, please get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements. You can contact the team by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
10, St George’s Business Centre,
St Georges Square,
Portsmouth, PO1 3EZ, UK
Mercator is a family-run, UK based independent freight forwarder, offering highly effective sea, road and air freight services around the world.
