Container shipping to China
Get a cost for shipping containers to China from the UK, best rates for 20ft & 40ft containers
Moving to China and need to ship your belongings? Our international removals and shipping services to China combine competitive pricing with reliable customer service, supporting both expats relocating for work or family reasons and those returning home. Whether you’re moving to Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, or another major city, our door-to-door service is designed to make your move straightforward and stress free.
The cost of shipping your household goods from the UK to China depends on the volume of your belongings and the level of service you choose. Most moves to China are completed via sea freight, which is the most cost-effective option for full household moves. Full container load (FCL) services, using either a 20ft or 40ft container, typically take 6 to 9 weeks, depending on the UK departure port, destination port, customs clearance and final delivery location. For smaller shipments, shared container (groupage) services are available, with transit times typically 8 to 12 weeks. Air freight can also be arranged for essential or time-sensitive items.
Other key considerations include professional packing, a detailed inventory, customs documentation and delivery to your new address in China. Reputable international removals companies to China, such as PSS, manage every stage of the process for you, helping to ensure your belongings arrive safely and in compliance with Chinese import regulations and post-Brexit requirements.
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Don’t Just Take Our Word For It – Check Out Our Container Shipping To China Reviews
Shipping your container to China is easy with PSS
STEP 1
Home Survey or Quote
Get an online quote in 60 seconds or book a FREE home survey.
STEP 2
Help and Advice
Your dedicated Account Manager can help answer your questions and tailor your shipping requirements.
STEP 3
Quick and easy collection and shipping
Whether you are shipping your house contents boxes or furniture you will have our professional packing service.
STEP 4
Customs clearance & delivery to your new home
On arrival our agents will take care of customs clearance and deliver to your door.
How can we help? Call 0800 988 3711
Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions.
What Does Our Shipping Container Service to China Include?
- Door-to-door container shipping to China
- Both part and full load services are available
- A dedicated Move Manager
- Assistance with any required documentation
- Export-quality packing materials
- Choice between self-pack and a professional packing service
- Advice on customs requirements
- Customs clearance on arrival
- Storage in the UK or China, if required
Full or Shared Shipping Container from the UK to China
At PSS, we offer two different ways of shipping containers to China from the UK, alongside the two shipping container size options (20ft and 40ft). We’ve explained the differences below and offered some advice on how to choose the best option for your circumstances:
For smaller shipments, we provide a shared part load shipping container service, also referred to as LCL (less than container load). Your belongings will be arranged together with those of other customers shipping to China, and the pricing will be split depending on the volume of the belongings.
For customers shipping larger quantities, e.g., a full household removal, we offer a full container load (FCL) shipping service to China. We’ll provide a full container for your use only, and we’ll deliver it to your home, where our expert packers will load it and custom-seal it before it’s sent to China.
Our shipping container service to China is designed for household goods, such as furniture and other personal items, for those moving to China. If you’re looking to ship commercial goods, we recommend contacting a commercial freight forwarder.
"Why choose PSS International in February 2026?"
- Free home survey
- Family run business for over 40 years!
- We only handle Overseas Removals
- Members of BAR Overseas Group
- BAR Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme
- FIDI Global Alliance (Worldwide Moving Association)
- FAIM Accredited (Removal Quality Assurance Standard)
Container Shipping to China cost calculator
Want to know how it will cost to send your belongings to China? Our free online Cost Calculator will help you estimate of the cost.
FAQ Guide for shipping containers from UK to China
Below are answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about overseas container shipping to China. There is a lot to consider with international moving which is why we allocate you a Move Manager to guide you through the whole shipping process.
How long does shipping a container to China from the UK take?
Shipping times to China can vary depending on the shipping option used and the end destination. Shared (part load) container shipping takes longer than a sole-use container load as different customers shipments need to be consolidated to fill one container.
| Sea Freight Full Container | Sea Freight Shared Container | Air Freight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Shipping Times | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 7-10 days |
NB: These are approximate sea freight shipping times to port only. You will need to allow additional time for customs clearance and final delivery to your destination.
How much does container shipping to China cost?
Container shipping costs to China will vary considerably according to a number of factors such as exactly when and where you are from and too. Also the amount of packing required for your shipment.
To get a quick estimate you can use the container shipping cost calculator on this page.
Our shipping quotes are for a full international removal shipping service including packing, door to door delivery and customs clearance. Beware of cheap shipping rates that are only a basic port to port service which will mean additional packing costs and other fees.
Cheap container shipping rates from UK to China
We are also members of MTC (the Movers Traders Club) which provides us with economies of scale and allows us to negotiate the best sea freight rates with leading international shipping companies.
We are confident that we can offer you the cheapest rate to ship your container to China from the UK.
To get an accurate container shipping rate we suggest you book a free home or video survey.
How much is marine insurance or shipment protection?
We highly recommend that you purchase shipment protection coverage or a marine insurance policy for your container.
We provide a very flexible shipment protection cover through Basil Fry & Company, the UK’s leading insurance broker for international removals and shipping:
- Our policy is quick and easy to set up. Complete our Shipment Protection valuation form with the items you would like to cover and their values.
- Removal (we pack) consignments cover costs 3% of the total insurable value you declare.
- Vehicle shipments cover costs 2% of the vehicle’s declared value.
- Self-Pack (you pack) consignments cover costs 5% of the total insurable value you declare.
- Baggage/Airfreight consignments, which are owner packed, will cost 5% of the total insurable value you declare.
What size or volume shipping containers do you provide?
Shipping containers come in two standard sizes: 20ft and 40ft.
Our consultants can advise you on the size that meets your requirements.
We also have various shipping options to meet your needs, including part load or shared containers.
| Size | 20ft Container | 40ft Container |
| Cubic Capacity (Volume) | 1050 cu ft (29.73 CBM) | 2100 cu ft (59.47 CBM) |
| Internal Length | 19′ 3 (5.87m) | 39’5 (12m) |
| Internal Dimensions | Width 7’8 (2.33m) Height 7’9 (2.35m) | |
| Door Dimensions | Width 7’8 (2.28m) Height 7’5 (2.26m) | |
| Weight | 2225kg | 3950 kg |
| Cargo Weight | 21700 kg | 26500 kg |
*Exact container dimensions and available volume may vary.
Other sizes of containers are available upon request – contact us for more details.
Shared or part load (LCL) shipping containers to China
For smaller shipments we provide a shared or part load shipping container service. Your goods will be grouped together with those of other customers shipping to China so the costs can be shared based on how much you send.
This is sometimes referred to as groupage or LCL (Less than Container Load).
This method of shipping is very economical, but you may need to allow for increased shipping time as the contents of the container will need to be consolidated from different customers.
Sole use or full container load (FCL) to China
For shipping larger amounts such as a full household removal to China, we can provide a container for your sole use.
We will arrange for the container to be delivered to your home where we will pack it and it will be customs sealed before heading to the port to embark for China.
This method of shipping has a number of advantages since you can fill your container with all your belongings.
As you have a full container for your sole use, it is also secure, economical and there are no delays in shipping – once it is full it can go directly to the ship for loading.
Which container shipping company do you use for sea freight to China?
PSS International Removals are accredited by BAR and FIDI. We therefore only use accredited container shipping companies such as Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and One to transport your belongings. This ensures the highest level of service.
By using the best international shipping companies for your move to China, you can be assured that your possessions will be taken care of.
Also as members of many accredited organisations, such as The Movers Traders Club, we are able to negotiate very favourable rates and pass these savings onto you.
Customs clearance when importing your container into China
As part of our China shipping service we will take care of everything for you from door to door. This includes exporting your container from the United Kingdom and importing into China.
Our shipping quote includes basic customs clearance but not taxes, import duties and other customs charges such as any quarantine fees.
If we pack your container for you then we will compile a customs inventory on your behalf and we will also advise you of what other shipping documents are required.
We recommend you carefully read the FIDI Customs Guide for China so that you are aware of the customs process and what you can and can’t ship to China.
In particular, check the list of prohibited and restricted items, and the conditions for duty / tax free entry into China.
Shipping container services for goods or personal effects to China
Our container shipping service to China is designed for household goods, furniture and other personal effects for people moving to China.
If you need to ship commercial goods to China from UK we recommend you contact a commercial freight forwarder.
Container Shipping Ports in China
We ship to all ports and onward destinations in China from the UK.
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