Exporting from the UK to China

Should you use sea freight or air freight to China?

Sea freight is cheaper for bulk and palletised cargo where a 30-40 day transit is acceptable; air freight costs more but is the realistic option for time-critical or high-value goods such as pharmaceuticals.

Given the long sea transit on this corridor, air freight earns its premium more often here than on shorter European routes — factor buyer lead times into the mode decision early.

What import duty will your customer pay in China?

China applies its Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff schedule to UK goods, as there is no UK-China free trade agreement. Rates vary sharply by category — whisky and spirits attract both import duty and China's consumption tax, while some machinery and pharmaceutical categories enter at more moderate rates.

Alcohol is the category UK exporters most need to plan for: beyond MFN import duty, whisky and other spirits are subject to China's consumption tax and value-added tax, which together can add substantially more than the headline duty rate suggests. Machinery and pharmaceutical products generally face more moderate MFN rates, but GACC registration timelines — sometimes several months for a new product category — affect the practical cost of entering the market more than the duty line itself.

GACC registration lead times, not tariff rates, are usually the binding constraint on a first shipment to China. Start the registration process before booking freight, not after.

How do you export from the UK to China?

Exporting to China takes six steps: check export licence requirements, file the UK export declaration, arrange GACC registration for regulated categories, book sea or air freight, clear Chinese customs, then deliver.

How Gxpresss manages your export from the UK to China.

Get an instant freight estimate

Freight cost only — a starting point before your itemised quote.

What does it cost to export a shipment from the UK to China?

A real shipment structure — Scotch whisky, LCL sea freight, Glasgow to Shanghai, GACC-registered.

Chinese duty, consumption tax and VAT on alcohol are calculated on a basis specific to Chinese customs rules and are the buyer's liability, not stated here as a single figure since they depend on proof, packaging and the buyer's import licence status. Ask a China-side agent to confirm the landed cost your buyer will actually see before you finalise pricing.

Which Incoterm should you use exporting to China?

Chinese buyers commonly request FOB or CIF for sea freight — the choice decides who controls the shipping line and who carries risk during the long transit.

Whichever term you agree, GACC registration and Chinese-language labelling need to be settled well before the goods are booked — Gxpresss coordinates both the UK export and the China-side compliance timeline.

What can't you export from the UK to China?

Five categories need extra clearance or fail entry into China: dual-use and defence goods needing a UK export licence, unregistered food and health products, sanctioned end-users, cultural goods and antiques, and goods without Chinese-language labelling where required.

• Dual-use and defence-related goods — need a UK export licence from the ECJU before departure.
• Unregistered food, cosmetics and health products — GACC registration and Chinese-language labelling must be in place before the goods can be sold, not arranged after arrival.
• Sanctioned end-users — screen every Chinese buyer against UK and international sanctions lists before shipment.
• Cultural goods and antiques — items of UK heritage significance need a UK export licence from Arts Council England.
• Goods without required Chinese labelling — customs will hold or reject a shipment lacking mandatory Chinese-language packaging information.

Unsure whether your product needs GACC registration or a licence before it ships? Get a free pre-shipment compliance check before you commit to a delivery date.