OVERVIEW

BEST SHIPPING ROUTES TO THE UNITED KINGDOM

We help businesses worldwide ship cargo into the United Kingdom, with connections into Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway and beyond. Our team will help you find the most reliable route for your shipment.

 

Compare your options across major UK entry points, with clear visibility of transit times, schedules and rates. We give you the information you need to plan your inbound shipment with confidence.

 

We work with a strong network of carriers serving UK-bound trade lanes to keep rates competitive, with our freight specialists handling the routing from start to finish.

Location

Reliable schedules 

Scheduled weekly sailings from major origin ports in China, Australia, and Canada ensure consistent, predictable transit into the UK's key container terminals.

Multimodal logistics icon for DP World’s integrated ship and truck services

Multimodal solutions 

Smart routing across ocean, air and multimodal options means you can match the right mode to each shipment's urgency and budget.

icon - supplier costs

Manage costs effectively 

Transparent rate visibility and strong carrier partnerships help you control freight spend on one of the world's busiest trade corridors.

UK ENTRY POINTS

EXPLORE SHIPPING ROUTES TO THE UNITED KINGDOM

The United Kingdom is served by a number of container ports and air freight hubs. These are among the most popular entry points for UK-bound cargo. Speak to our freight specialists to find the route and port best suited to your shipment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Learn more about shipping cargo to the United Kingdom, including transit times, customs processes, key ports, and how DP World delivers reliable, end-to-end supply chain solutions.

The UK's principal container ports are Felixstowe, Southampton, and London Gateway. Felixstowe is the UK's busiest container port and the primary entry point for cargo from Asia. Southampton handles significant volumes from multiple origins and serves as an important gateway for automotive and consumer goods. London Gateway, operated by DP World, offers direct connections into the heart of the UK's consumer market.

Ocean freight transit times to the United Kingdom vary by origin, destination port, carrier and service. Shipments from China typically take around 30 to 45 days, while cargo from Australia can take approximately 30 to 50 days. Services from eastern Canada can reach the United Kingdom in approximately 7 to 14 days. Transit times are indicative and may vary depending on routing, schedules and operating conditions.

Air freight to the United Kingdom typically takes between 1 and 5 days airport-to-airport, depending on the origin and service. Cargo from China can typically reach London Heathrow within 2 to 3 days, while services from Australia can take approximately 2 to 4 days. London Heathrow is one of the UK’s major international air freight gateways, providing extensive connectivity to global markets through passenger and cargo services.

DP World serves UK-bound cargo from major origins across Asia, Australasia, the Americas, and Europe including scheduled services from China, Australia, and Canada. As the operator of London Gateway, one of the UK's most modern deep-water container terminals, DP World offers direct port access alongside freight forwarding, customs, and supply chain services to move your cargo efficiently from origin to final destination.

Container truck driving on road

GET A QUOTE FOR YOUR SHIPMENT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM

Request a quote today and our freight specialists will build the right ocean, air or multimodal route for your cargo to the United Kingdom, with rates and schedules tailored to you.