Freight from China to the UK: Sea, Air and DDP
CCB coordinates shipping from China to the UK alongside your buying, from factory pickup and consolidation to booking, partner-led export declaration, UK clearance through a broker and delivery anywhere in the UK. CCB is not a freight forwarder or customs representative: partner forwarders carry the freight, and a partner broker or forwarder makes customs declarations.
We reply the same working day to confirm receipt and arrange next steps.
What to send us for a freight enquiry
Send the product description and use, supplier pickup addresses, commercial invoice or current quote, packing list, carton or pallet count, packed dimensions, gross weight, stackability, cargo value and readiness date. Include batteries, liquids, magnets or other handling restrictions, your UK delivery postcode, access and unloading needs, required arrival date, current Incoterm and proposed importer/EORI if known.
Sea, air, rail or express: which route fits?
Sea FCL uses a full container; LCL shares container space and adds consolidation and handling stages. Air freight from China can suit urgent or higher-value goods, subject to cargo acceptance and chargeable weight. Rail depends on available routes, border handovers and cargo restrictions. Express can suit small consignments, with service limits and clearance charges to check. Compare the whole collection-to-delivery scope, rather than the main transport leg alone.
What drives freight cost and time?
Packed volume, gross and chargeable weight, cargo type, route, capacity, seasonal demand, pickup locations and the delivery address affect cost. Factory readiness, consolidation, sailing or flight availability, transhipment, documentation, customs checks and final delivery booking affect timing. LCL handling, terminal charges, storage and unloading can change the total. We obtain shipment-specific partner proposals; no fixed price or transit time is promised.
How do Incoterms, DDP and DAP change the arrangement?
An Incoterm and named place allocate tasks, costs and risk between seller and buyer. DDP puts import clearance and applicable import duties and taxes with the seller; under DAP, the buyer handles import clearance and those charges. Before booking, confirm the actual importer of record, EORI, customs representative, VAT treatment and documents. A DDP label alone is not evidence that you can reclaim import VAT. Agree who will hold the relevant import or UK VAT invoice evidence with your broker or adviser.
Who carries the freight, clears customs and advises on insurance?
Partner forwarders carry the shipment, and a partner broker or forwarder makes the customs declarations. CCB coordinates the chain with your purchase and is not a freight forwarder or customs representative. For cargo insurance, we can introduce you to a broker.
What you get
- One coordinated buying and shipment brief, linking factory readiness, packing, inspection release and collection.
- Partner forwarders carry freight; a partner broker or forwarder handles export and import declarations. CCB coordinates the documents and handovers.
- The quote records the named delivery place, Incoterm, importer of record, duty and VAT responsibilities, included services and exclusions.
What we coordinate
- Review product details, factory locations, cargo measurements, readiness and delivery needs alongside the purchase.
- Compare partner route proposals and agree the Incoterm, importer, clearance scope and destination charges before booking.
- Coordinate factory pickup, consolidation, export documents and declaration through partners, then booking with the forwarder.
- Coordinate UK clearance through the partner broker or forwarder and the delivery booking, access and unloading arrangements anywhere in the UK.
Cambridge China Bridge in brief
- Buying from Chinese factories since 2021 (the company was incorporated in September 2022), for our own businesses and for clients on the same terms.
- Our own staff are based in China, at two bases: the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan) and the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu). They visit factories themselves.
- Quotes to suit how you buy: one delivered price, or an itemised quote with the factory cost, freight, duty and our service fee shown separately. Open-book detail is available on request.
- Audits and inspections are usually included in the quote for an order placed with us; complex checks that need a third party are charged extra, agreed first.
- Orders run from a first trial to scheduled full containers; the factory’s own minimum is stated in the quote.
- In one project, a UK EV charging operator cut unit cost by 70% and scaled 3× faster. In another, a multi-site Cambridge café chain saved 50% on packaging.
- A UK company in Cambridge and London: Cambridge China Bridge is the trading name of Piggy Pineapple Ltd, company number 14385590.
- Send 1–3 products you buy now and what you pay. We compare the same specification, quantity, inspection and delivery scope to establish a cost benchmark.
- A reference call with a past client can be arranged, with that client’s agreement.
How we charge
Quotes to suit how you buy: one delivered price, or an itemised quote with the factory cost, freight, duty and our service fee shown separately. Open-book detail is available on request.
Our margin is included in the quoted price or shown separately as a service fee. The service fee depends on the agreed scope, including products, samples, inspections and ongoing supply.
Questions buyers ask
Are you a freight forwarder in China?
CCB is not a freight forwarder or customs representative. We coordinate buying and shipping; partner forwarders carry freight and a partner broker or forwarder makes the declarations.
Can you arrange shipping from China to anywhere in the UK?
We coordinate delivery anywhere in the UK through partners. Send the postcode, cargo details, access and unloading needs so the delivery arrangement can be confirmed. The broker checks the applicable clearance route, including for Northern Ireland.
I searched for freight forwarders near me. Can you help?
If you need shipping coordinated with a China purchase, send the factory pickup details and UK destination postcode. We coordinate remotely with partner forwarders and brokers; the service does not depend on a local CCB office.
Can you combine goods from several Chinese suppliers?
Yes. We coordinate collection and consolidation through partners, with separate product, value and packing records for each supplier. Readiness and cargo compatibility need checking before booking.
Does DDP mean I can reclaim the import VAT?
A DDP label alone does not establish entitlement to reclaim import VAT. Confirm the importer of record, VAT treatment and supporting documents with the broker or adviser before agreeing the shipment.
Can you insure the cargo?
For cargo insurance, we can introduce you to a broker.
How do I start a freight enquiry?
Use the contact page to send product and supplier details, packed dimensions and weight, readiness, the Incoterm and delivery postcode. We clarify the buying and shipping scope and obtain partner proposals for your approval.