UK based freight forwarder, Mercator, handles full container loads – FCL from China on a daily basis. We recently coordinated the shipment of an FCL from China of paintballs on incoterm free on board (FOB).
The UK importer purchased the goods from the supplier in China on the agreement that the Chinese supplier would load the container, complete export clearance, transport the shipping container to the port of export – in this case Yantian – and load the container onto the vessel, liaising with our agent in China along the way.
Once the shipping container was loaded onto the vessel for the UK, the risk and responsibility transferred to the UK importer. It was at this point that Mercator’s team, in conjunction with our agent in China (thanks to our founding membership of MarcoPoloLine), took over the shipment, booking the slot for sea freight to the UK, settling the UK landing fees at Southampton port, completing UK customs clearance, and final delivery to door.
The goods were transported in a reefer container as they were temperature sensitive, requiring control in China and when on the water. Once the FCL from China arrived in the UK, no further temperature control was required as it was not warmer than the required 18 degrees temperature control.
There are weekly sailings from Shenzhen Yantian to the UK, with direct and trans-shipping options. Transit time depends on the ports of call on route, and whether the goods departed from a northern or southern port. Transit from Shenzhen to the UK is roughly 35 days port to port, however, due to diversions around the Cape of Good Hope, we regularly see advertised ETAs delayed.
Mercator has direct links with the major sea freight ports in the UK, allowing us to complete our own in-house customs clearances, providing accuracy and speed for our customers. Combined with our AEO status, which means you and your company can benefit from efficient and compliant customs controls and procedures for both imports and exports, Mercator is a reliable choice when shipping from China on any incoterm.
If you have FCL from China to arrange the shipping of, whether you have purchased on EXW, FOB, or CFR, our team can help. To request a quote you can call our team (+44) 02392 756 575, email sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or complete the form below and we will be in touch.
