International sea freight from the UK
Ship commercial cargo by sea with one coordinator. We plan the route, book space, prepare documents, clear customs, and deliver. You get itemised costs and tracked milestones.
- Sea freight FCL and LCL
- UK export and import customs support
- Port to door and door to door options
- Crating, palletising, and container loading
- Air and road options when sea is not suitable
Why shippers use our sea freight team
- One point of contact from booking to POD
- Lane planning to reduce delays and port storage
- Document checks before cargo moves
- Clear quotes with charges broken down
- Consolidation options to control cost on small loads
Sea freight services
FCL full container load
Use FCL when you want control and fewer touches. A sealed container reduces handling risk. It fits repeat commercial loads and full site deliveries.
- 20ft and 40ft options
- Port to door and door to door
- Loading plan support and container booking control
LCL less than container load
Use LCL when you ship pallets and part loads. You pay for the space you use. We consolidate, secure, and label cargo for safer handling.
- 1 to 12 pallets typical
- Crate or palletise based on cargo type
- Consolidation and deconsolidation managed end to end
Port to door delivery
We manage arrival, clearance, and last mile delivery. You get one schedule from vessel ETA to final delivery.
Project and OOG by sea
- Flat rack and open top options where needed
- Breakbulk and RoRo booking
- Route surveys and lifting plans
Sea freight pricing guide and typical transit
Use these ranges for planning. Final pricing depends on route, season, packing method, and port charges.
| Service | Typical load | Typical transit | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea LCL | 1 to 6 pallets | 4 to 7 weeks lane dependent | £180 to £320 per m³ |
| Sea FCL 20ft | 28 to 32 m³ | 4 to 6 weeks port to door | £2,200 to £4,200 |
| Sea FCL 40ft | 58 to 65 m³ | 4 to 6 weeks port to door | £3,800 to £6,900 |
| EU road groupage | 1 to 12 pallets | 2 to 7 days | £180 to £320 per pallet |
| Air freight | 50 to 1000 kg | 2 to 7 days door to door | £5 to £12 per kg |
Use LCL for steady costs on smaller volumes. Use FCL for repeat loads and fewer touches. Use air only when deadlines force the choice.
Volume calculator for sea freight
LCL is priced by volume in cubic metres. Use this tool to estimate m³. Then send your packing list for a firm quote.
| Unit | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| CM to m³ | (L × W × H) ÷ 1,000,000 | 120 × 80 × 60 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.576 m³ |
| Meter to m³ | L × W × H | 1.20 × 0.80 × 0.60 = 0.576 m³ |
Volume per piece –
Total volume –
For LCL quoting we also need total weight, number of pallets or boxes, pickup postcode, and destination port or city. Use online calculation or send your packing list.
Documents and compliance
What you prepare
- Commercial invoice with currency and Incoterms
- Packing list with weights and dimensions
- UK EORI when required
- Consignee contact and delivery details
- Licences or certificates for controlled items
What we prepare
- Booking and carrier instructions
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Export entry and import clearance coordination
- Insurance certificate on request
Restricted cargo and sea freight rules
- DG needs approvals, correct packing, and correct declarations
- Batteries and chemicals can be restricted by line and port
- Sanctioned goods and embargoed lanes are not accepted
Check the rules before you book. See IMO and UNECE dangerous goods transport.
“Two containers shipped to the Gulf on schedule. Documents were clean and delivery was booked fast after arrival.” Commercial customer
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FCL and LCL
FCL is your own container and it reduces handling. LCL shares container space and is priced by volume. LCL suits smaller loads.
Which is cheaper for small shipments
LCL is usually best for small volumes when time is flexible. If volume grows, FCL can become better value.
Can you ship door to door
Yes. We can collect in the UK and deliver at destination after clearance. We confirm Incoterms and scope before booking.
Do you handle UK export and UK import customs
Yes. We support UK exports and UK imports. We also coordinate overseas clearance through our network.
Do you help with HS codes
We review product data and suggest likely HS codes. The importer is responsible for the final declaration.
Which UK ports do you use
We use Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway, and Liverpool based on lane and space.
Can you insure cargo
Yes. All risk cover is available based on declared value. We issue a certificate before departure.
Can you also ship by air or road
Yes. We propose air or road when sea does not fit the deadline or route.
Ready to ship by sea
Send destination port or city, cargo details, and ready date. We will reply with the best sea option and a clear quote.
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