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Sea Freight — FCL & LCL Container Shipping

Cost-effective ocean freight to and from all major UK ports. FCL for full container volume, LCL for smaller shipments — with customs clearance and inland delivery included.

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About Our Sea Freight Service

Sea freight is the most cost-effective way to move volume or heavy cargo into and out of the UK — typically 4–6x cheaper per kg than air freight, at the cost of longer transit times. Gxpresss runs FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load) shipments on all the major trade lanes: China, India, USA, the Middle East, and intra-Europe.

We handle the full chain — origin booking, ocean transit, UK port arrival, customs clearance, and inland delivery to your door — as one service under one invoice, not split between a forwarder and a separate broker.

All our seaport pages below carry live transit-time and duty guidance for that specific gateway, so you can plan the actual route your cargo will take rather than a generic estimate.

FCL vs LCL — Which Do You Need?

FCL (Full Container Load)LCL (Less than Container Load)
Best for15+ CBM, or when speed and exclusive use matterUnder 15 CBM — shares a container with other shippers
Cost structureFlat rate per container regardless of fill levelPriced per CBM/kg — pay only for the space you use
TransitDirect — no consolidation/deconsolidation delayAdd 3–7 days for container groupage at origin/destination
Handling riskLower — container isn't opened until UK arrivalHigher — goods handled during consolidation
Typical container sizes20ft (~28 CBM), 40ft (~58 CBM), 40ft HC (~68 CBM)Shared space — booked by volume/weight

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Why Choose Gxpresss for Sea Freight

Here's why businesses across the UK trust Gxpresss for sea freight.

FCL & LCL Options

Full container or shared container solutions to match your volume.

Cost Effective

The most economical option for large or heavy shipments.

All Major Ports

Coverage across all major UK and international ports.

Any Cargo Type

Standard, refrigerated, open-top, and flat-rack containers available.

How It Works

Our streamlined process makes sea freight simple and stress-free.

1

Cargo Assessment

We evaluate your cargo volume, weight, and requirements to recommend FCL or LCL and select the best shipping line.

2

Container Booking

We secure space on the optimal vessel, arrange container collection, and coordinate loading at the origin port.

3

Ocean Transit

Your cargo sails with full insurance coverage. We provide regular updates and tracking throughout the voyage.

4

Port & Customs Clearance

On arrival at the UK port, we handle all port charges, customs clearance, and arrange delivery to your premises.

Sea Freight Process

UK Ports & Typical Transit Times

Indicative sailing times to our most-used UK gateways. See each port page for live duty and clearance detail.

UK PortFrom ChinaFrom IndiaFrom USA (East Coast)
Felixstowe30–35 days18–24 days10–14 days
Southampton32–38 days20–25 days11–15 days
London Gateway30–36 days19–24 days10–14 days
Liverpool35–40 days22–27 days12–16 days
Tilbury31–37 days19–25 days10–15 days

Add 3–5 days for LCL consolidation at origin. View all 26 UK ports we clear through →

Indicative Sea Freight Pricing

Rates fluctuate with fuel surcharges and seasonal demand — treat these as planning figures, not a quote.

20ft FCL

£1,200–£2,800 from Asia, port to port, depending on origin and season.

40ft FCL

£1,800–£3,800 from Asia — the standard choice for full-pallet volume shipments.

LCL

£40–£90 per CBM, subject to a typical £120–£180 minimum charge per shipment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our sea freight services.

Sea freight from China to the UK typically takes 30-40 days depending on the origin port, destination port, and shipping line routing. Direct services are faster, while transhipment routes may add a few days.

FCL (Full Container Load) means you book an entire container for your goods. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share container space with other shippers. FCL is more cost-effective for larger volumes, while LCL suits smaller shipments.

Yes, we handle shipments through all major UK ports including Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway, Liverpool, Immingham, Port of Tyne, and others. We will recommend the best port based on your final delivery destination.

Standard container sizes include 20ft and 40ft containers, as well as 40ft high-cube containers. Specialist containers such as refrigerated (reefer), open-top, and flat-rack are also available for non-standard cargo.

Industries We Serve

Specialist logistics for regulated and complex sectors.

Automotive

Volume automotive parts by sea

Manufacturing

Raw material imports by sea

Chemical

IMO-class sea freight for chemicals

Ready to Get Started with Sea Freight?

Speak to one of our logistics experts today. Free consultation, no obligations.

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