Small Business Tips: A Simple Way To Import Goods From China

For UK entrepreneurs and business owners, importing goods manufactured in China and selling them to a UK market can be incredibly profitable. 

China continues to be one of the global leaders in the production of consumer goods. Because businesses worldwide rely on Chinese manufacturers, importing from China has become increasingly easier with goods being delivered to ports around the world daily. 

However, importing goods from China can be confusing, especially for small business owners new to the process. In this blog, we’re going to discuss the simple way to import goods from China…LCL Shipping!

What Is LCL Shipping?

Less than container load (LCL) shipping is an affordable way for UK businesses to import only the goods they need. It is a method of freight shipping that involves sharing cargo space when you do not need a full shipping container worth of goods.

The Benefits Of LCL Shipping

Many businesses do not need to transport full container loads worth of cargo and doing so can be incredibly expensive and wasteful. With LCL shipping, business owners have the opportunity to purchase small quantities of goods, saving them money.

Plus, LCL shipping offers plenty of flexibility as business owners are not bound by full container loads and can ship goods as and when needed. 

If you choose the right shipping company, you can guarantee that your imported goods will be delivered directly to your door within a reliable timeframe.

How Does It Work?

With LCL shipping, your goods are collected from the supplier in China and loaded into a shipping container before being shipped to a UK port. They are then unpacked, cleared through customs and delivered to your door.

First, you need to find the right supplier of goods. Finding the right supplier can be challenging, but websites like Alibaba, Made-in-China, and Global Sources are great places to start.

Once you have found your Chinese supplier, you need to discuss weight and volume estimates before placing your order – the freight shipping company will need this to organise the shipment.

Next, you should find a reliable and experienced shipping company that offers LCL shipping. If you are UK-based, Shippo is an excellent option. Shippo will be able to give you a quote for your freight costs and will then contact the agent to book the vessel. 

The Shippo team will then organise for your goods to be loaded onto the shared shipping container and will ensure a smooth shipment to one of several UK ports before delivering the goods directly to your door!

How Much Does LCL Shipping Cost?

The cost of LCL shipping depends on the volume of your cargo, meaning you will only get an exact price once you are sure of your cargo size and weight. 

However, the minimum space that you pay for the use of is 1cbm (100cm x 100cm x 100cm). So, to ensure it is cost-effective for your business, it is strongly recommended that you order shipments bigger than 0.5cbm and heavier than 100kg.

How Long Does LCL Shipping Take?

The shipping time for LCL shipments will vary depending on which area of China it is coming from. If your goods are coming from Guangzhou/Shenzhen, you should allow 6-7 weeks from door to door. From central China (Shanghai/Ningbo), you should allow 7-8 weeks from door to door and from Northern China (Qingdao/Tianjin/Xingang), you should allow 8-10 weeks.

Additional Tips For Shipping Goods From China

• You will have to pay duty tax and VAT when importing goods to the UK from outside of the EU, so be sure to consider these additional costs. The price of duty tax will depend on the type of goods you are importing.
• Marine insurance should also be considered as this will ensure your goods are insured whilst they are travelling at sea. Marine insurance tends to cost between £35-£50.

 

*This is a collaborative post.