Machinery Shipping
Ship industrial machinery and heavy equipment door to door. One team handles packing, lifting, transport mode selection, customs, and site delivery.
- FCL, flat-rack, open-top, Ro-Ro, air freight
- Out-of-gauge and heavy-lift planning
- ISPM-15 crating and anti-corrosion packing
- CDS import and export entries
- Project management with tracked milestones
What we ship
- CNC machines, presses, lathes, milling centres
- Injection moulding, bottling, printing lines
- Construction plant and attachments
- Generators, transformers, pumps, compressors
- Food, pharma, and cleanroom equipment
Modes and routing
Sea freight
- FCL 20ft, 40ft, 40HC for enclosed loads
- Flat-rack and open-top for out-of-gauge units
- Ro-Ro for self-propelled or towable equipment
- LCL for smaller crated machines
Air freight
For urgent spares and high value machinery. Crated skids, indicators, and compliant documentation.
Road and last mile
HIAB, low-loader, step-frame, and site delivery. Permits and escorts where required. RAMS and lift plans for controlled handling.
Packing and lifting
- ISPM-15 timber crates and base frames
- VCI anti-corrosion wrap and barrier foil
- Shock, tilt, and humidity indicators on request
- Centre of gravity marked for safe lifting
- Fork pockets and lifting points confirmed
We can survey on site. We confirm access, ground bearing limits, lift radius, and loading sequence.
Documentation and compliance
- Commercial invoice, packing list, serial numbers
- HS codes, valuation inputs, origin evidence
- CDS import and export entries, transit where required
- Temporary Admission, IPR, or ATA Carnet support for returns
- Export Control checks where applicable
Pricing guide and lead times
Use these ranges to plan. Final pricing depends on dimensions, weight, packing spec, route, permits, and site conditions.
| Scenario | Mode | Typical transit | Guide price GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crated CNC 2.2 × 1.8 × 1.8 m, 2.5 t EU → UK | Road groupage with HIAB delivery | 4 to 7 days | £1,250 to £2,100 |
| Injection moulding machine 12 t UK → GCC | Flat-rack sea plus low-loader | 5 to 7 weeks | £6,800 to £11,500 |
| Generator set 4 t UK → US East Coast | FCL 20ft | 4 to 6 weeks | £3,400 to £5,400 |
| Critical spare 350 kg UK → Middle East | Air freight plus crating | 3 to 5 days | £1,900 to £3,200 |
Guide prices exclude port charges, terminal handling, customs taxes, insurance, packing, escorts, and permit fees where applicable.
Project flow
- Technical survey with dims, weight, centre of gravity, fixings, and site access
- Packing plan with crate spec, lashing method, and protection level
- Mode selection based on risk, cost, and schedule
- Permits and customs preparation with clear document checklist
- Lift and load with RAMS and supervised sign off
- Delivery and positioning with handover confirmation
Tips for a smooth machinery shipment
- Share GA drawings and lifting points early
- Drain fluids and isolate power before collection
- Fix machinery to bases with rated bolts and blocking
- Mark centre of gravity and fragile sides on crates
- Confirm crane access and ground bearing limits
- Insure to replacement value with marine cover
“Out-of-gauge flat-racks shipped ex UK. Packing and lashing completed in one day. Clean release and on-schedule delivery.” Engineering client
Frequently asked questions
How do you choose between flat-rack, open-top, Ro-Ro, and FCL
We check dimensions, weight, centre of gravity, weather exposure, port handling, and lashing needs. We select the safest option with a clear cost breakdown.
Can you arrange lifting and positioning on site
Yes. We arrange HIAB or crane where required and provide lift plans and RAMS. We coordinate site access and timing.
What documents do you need to start
Invoice, packing list, HS codes, serial numbers, photos, pickup and delivery details. For returns we can use Temporary Admission or an ATA Carnet where suitable.
Do you handle permits and escorts for abnormal loads
Yes. We manage permit applications, escorts, and route planning for UK collection and site delivery.
Do you offer insurance
Yes on request. We arrange marine cargo insurance and align cover to replacement value and packing method.
Send specs for a fixed machinery quote
Send dims, weight, pickup, delivery, and photos. We reply with method, transit window, and an itemised price.
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