This content was reviewed for accuracy on 13/12/2024
If you’re looking to import goods from China, you’ll probably be wondering what the fastest shipping method is. In this blog, we’re looking at the different freight options available, and answering the question, “Is LCL shipping the fastest way to import from China?”
What Are the Different Methods of Importing Goods From China?
If you need to import goods from China, there are several different methods available to you.
Air Freight
As you’d expect, air freight involves having your goods sent from China by air. This means they’ll be loaded up onto an aeroplane and flown over on one of the cargo flights scheduled daily from China to the UK.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is where your goods are loaded into a container which is then brought to the UK on a cargo ship. Sailings from China to the UK are scheduled weekly.
When shipping your goods from China to the UK via sea freight, you have two options, FCL (Full Container Load) shipping or LCL (Less Than Full Container Load) shipping.
What’s the Difference Between FCL and LCL Shipping?
If you have enough goods to fill an entire shipping container, you can have them sent by FCL shipping. This means you’ll use the full capacity of the container and it will contain only your goods alone.
However, if you’re only importing a small amount of goods from China, you may choose to have them sent by LCL shipping. This is where your goods are loaded into a shared container along with other importers’ goods.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these methods, but ultimately, your decision on whether or not to use FCL or LCL shipping will depend heavily on the volume of goods you’re importing from China.
What Is the Fastest Way to Import Goods From China?
Air freight is undoubtedly the fastest way to import goods from China, however, it does come with several drawbacks.
Cost
One of the biggest disadvantages of air freight is its cost. Air freight is the most expensive method of shipping goods and costs can be significantly higher than other shipping methods for the same volume of cargo. This can make it prohibitive for many smaller businesses or new start-ups.
Capacity
From a purely practical standpoint, the volume of goods that can be loaded onto a plane is obviously going to be less than what can be loaded onto a freight vessel. This means that anyone selling large, high-volume or heavy items will likely be better served by opting for sea freight as their shipping method.
Environmental Impact
There are greater environmental costs to air freight due to the higher fuel consumption involved, meaning that sea freight has a smaller impact on the environment, due to the reduction in CO2 emissions that contribute to harmful climate change.
Given these considerations, air freight is only really suitable for small quantities of low-volume goods that are either highly valuable or time-sensitive, for example, perishable items.
Importing Goods From China Via LCL Shipping
While LCL shipping may be a slower option compared to air freight, it still has many advantages.
Economical
The major benefit of using LCL shipping to import goods from China is that it’s typically the most economical option for many businesses. This is because with LCL shipping you only pay for the volume you use inside the shipping container, rather than needing to hire an entire shipping container for your sole use.
No Commitment
For small businesses, new businesses or businesses who want to test the market, LCL shipping is perfect for importing a small volume of goods rather than committing to an entire container full.
Tailored Delivery Options
Importing goods from China via LCL shipping offers tailored delivery options to suit your business needs, from smaller trucks to fit down narrow lanes or tail-lifts to make unloading your goods easier.
How Long Does It Take to Ship Goods From China?
If you’re looking to import goods from China, it’s understandable that you’d want to know how long the process is going to take and when your items will arrive.
The exact amount of time your goods will take to get from China to the UK can vary and will depend on several factors, including where in China you are shipping from and whether you’re using LCL or FCL shipping.
For up-to-date estimated shipping times, please see our FAQ on How Long Do Shipments Take? On average, you can expect your goods to take between 6-10 weeks to arrive from China. This estimate is door-to-door, meaning it includes the time it takes to load and unload your goods, mandatory customs processes and delivery times once your goods have reached the UK.
LCL Shipping With Shippo
If you’ve been wondering if LCL shipping is the fastest way to import from China, we hope this blog has helped.
At Shippo, we specialise in LCL shipping and are experts at importing goods safely and efficiently from all over the world, including China.
You can learn more about our shipping process here, or contact us for a quote for importing your goods from China.