2025-09-03 14:16:52
Alright, mate? Looking to get your gear from China over to Dover without the headache? You've landed in the right spot. We're not some faceless international corporation; we're your local freight forwarder based right here, and we specialise in making shipping from China to Dover proper straightforward for businesses like yours. Whether it's a full container or a few pallets for your Amazon FBA business, we've got you sorted.
Dover's a major Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) port. That means your trailers and containers get on and off the boat sharpish.
Ocean freight is your first choice for cost-effective transportation, especially for small and medium-sized FBA buyers.
Need it yesterday? Air freight is the one. We'll get it to a UK airport and have it trucked down to you.
The paperwork and customs clearance? Don't sweat it. We handle all the muckery that holds others up.
Our strong suit? Sea Truck and Sea Express services for a smooth door-to-door delivery to your warehouse or Amazon fulfilment centre.
We give you a proper all-in quote. No nasty hidden surprises.
You get a dedicated point of contact. Someone you can actually talk to.
Why Ship to Dover?
How to Ship: Your Options
Sea Freight: FCL, LCL & Our Sea Truck Service
Air Freight: When Speed is Key
Navigating Post-Brexit UK Customs & Paperwork
Top Tips for Saving Time & Money
The Step-by-Step Process
Costs & Transit Times for 2025
Your Questions, Answered
Forget Southampton or Felixstowe for a minute. Dover's brilliant for unaccompanied freight and trailers coming from the Continent. It's one of the busiest Ro-Ro ports in Europe for a reason—it's efficient. Once your cargo's off the boat, it's straight onto the A20/M20, giving you cracking links for distribution across Kent and the rest of the UK. For your international shipping, it's a solid choice.
Picking the right method is key. Here's the lowdown on what we offer:
| Method | Best For | The Deal |
|---|---|---|
|
Sea Freight (FCL/LCL) |
Big, heavy loads. Not urgent. Lowest cost. |
The workhorse. Slow but steady. Perfect for FBA stock. |
|
Air Freight |
Urgent, high-value, or light stuff. |
Gets here in days, not weeks. Costs more, but worth it for the right gear. |
|
Sea Truck / Sea Express |
A full load needing fast onward travel. |
We manage the whole lot from port to your door. Our specialty. |
This is where we really shine for our Amazon FBA clients. Sea freight is the most cost-effective way to get your stock over.
FCL (Full Container Load): You get your own 20ft or 40ft container. More secure and faster at the ports. Ideal if you've got enough to fill it.
LCL (Less than Container Load): You share a container. Perfect for smaller shipments. You only pay for the space you use.
Sea Truck / Sea Express: This is our bread and butter. We handle the entire process from the Chinese port right through to delivery to your doorstep or Amazon fulfilment centre. No fuss, just one point of contact.
What's it gonna cost? (Based on current 2025 market rates)
|
Route |
20ft FCL |
LCL per CBM |
Typical Transit |
|
Shanghai to Dover |
$2,100 - $3,400 |
$95 - $140 |
32-38 days |
|
Ningbo to Dover |
$2,000 - $3,300 |
$90 - $135 |
30-36 days |
|
Shenzhen to Dover |
$2,200 - $3,500 |
$100 - $150 |
34-40 days |
Need it sharpish? Our air freight service is what you need. Here's how it works: Your air freight will clear UK customs the moment it lands at the airport (like Heathrow or East Mids). Once it's given the all-clear by customs, it's released, and we get it on one of our trucks for the final leg down to you in Dover. We handle the entire process.
Transit Time: 3-5 days door-to-door. Proper quick.
Costs: It's more expensive, but you're paying for speed. Rates are typically from $4.50 - $8.00 per kg.
You Get a Quote: Give us your details. We'll come back with a proper, no-obligation quote. No mucking about.
We Book It: You give us the green light, we lock it in with the carrier.
Collection & Export: We coordinate picking up your goods in China and handle export customs.
It Sails/Flies: Your cargo is on the move. We'll give you the cargo tracking info.
Arrival & UK Customs: It arrives in Dover/the UK. Our team handles all the customs clearance paperwork. This is where having a local agent makes all the difference.
Final Delivery: We get it on a truck and deliver it to you. Sorted.
Alright, let's talk about the boring but bloody important bit: customs clearance. Since Brexit, it's a whole new game. But don't let the paperwork put you off—that's what we're here for.
EORI Number: First thing's first. You need an EORI number that starts with GB. It's like a VAT number but for moving goods. No GB EORI number? Your stuff's getting nowhere fast. It's a proper hassle to get held up at the border. If you haven't got one, we can point you in the right direction to sort it.
Commodity Codes (HS Codes): Every product you import has a specific number called a commodity code. This tells HMRC what your gear is, what it's made of, and how much import duty and VAT to charge. Get it wrong, and you could pay too much or have your shipment held for inspection. We help you get it right.
VAT & Duty: Speaking of, yeah, you'll likely have to pay VAT (usually 20%) on the value of your goods plus the shipping cost, and possibly import duty. There's a de minimis threshold (£135), but for proper commercial shipments, you'll be paying it.
The Bottom Line: This is where we earn our keep. Our team handles all this muckery for you. We sort the declarations, work with HMRC, and make sure your goods clear through without a hitch. You just get a bill for the VAT and duty and a shipment that turns up on time. Sorted.
Be wary of forwarders who just give you the sea freight rate. The real cost includes:
Origin charges (in China)
The international freight rate
Fuel surcharges (BAF)
Customs clearance fees in the UK
Port fees
Haulage from port to door
Now, here's the important bit. Our quote is an 'all-in' price for all our freight and logistics services – that's collection, shipping, our fees, and haulage. However, Import VAT and Duty are government taxes based on your goods' value. We can pay these on your behalf to get your gear released sharpish, but the tax amount itself is separate and will be invoiced to you. Think of it like a restaurant bill: we charge you for the meal and service, but the VAT on top goes to HMRC.
Alright mate? Cheapest way to get your stuff from China to Dover is LCL Sea Freight. You only pay for the space you use in a shared container. Proper cheap rates, but takes about 30-40 days.
If you've got enough gear to fill a whole container, FCL (Sea Truck) works out cheaper per item.
That's the genuine no-fluff answer. We do both. Need a quote? Give us a shout with what you're shipping. Sorted.
Must be based in Dover: They need to have a thorough understanding of the port and local freight companies.
Offer door-to-door service: Look for "sea truck" or "sea express" services—they can handle everything.
Offer all-inclusive quotes: No hidden fees. High transparency.
Brexit-savvy: A UK customs team familiar with the new regulations is essential.
Communicate directly with a person: You want direct contact, not a call center.
Key Point: Choose a local freight forwarder who communicates openly and provides complete accountability.
Forest Leopard International Logistics Co.
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