3 Things You Must Know Before Shipping from China

When you're sourcing furniture, lighting, home décor or building materials from suppliers in China, it’s easy to get caught up in cost savings and overlook some critical aspects of the shipping process. Whether you're an interior designer furnishing a new space, a contractor managing a client’s renovation, or a young homeowner investing in statement decor, you need to know how to navigate the complexities of international shipping. Done right, it can save time, money, and headaches. Done wrong, and it could end up being more trouble than it’s worth.

In this post, we'll walk you through the three things you absolutely must understand before shipping from China to the UK, so you can make the most of your investment, save time, and avoid costly mistakes.

1. Know Your Incoterms: Understanding Who is Responsible for What

Incoterms, short for International Commercial Terms, define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in global trade. They clarify who pays for shipping, insurance, customs clearance, import duties, and final delivery. One of the most common causes of confusion – especially for first-time importers – is not understanding what their agreed Incoterm actually includes.

Let’s say you’re purchasing pendant lights from a factory in Foshan. If your supplier quotes you a price using “EXW” (Ex Works), that means you’re responsible for everything from the factory gate in China to your front door in the UK – including picking up the goods, exporting them, ocean freight, UK customs charges, and final delivery.

On the other hand, “DDP” (Delivered Duty Paid) means the supplier handles all of that, delivering the product to your final address with all fees paid. While DDP sounds easier, it’s usually more expensive, and quality control can become harder since you’re less involved in the transit process.

Here’s a simple breakdown of common Incoterms used when shipping from China:

Before agreeing to any shipping term, make sure you fully understand your level of responsibility and hidden costs. Ask your supplier to clarify everything that’s included in their quote and never be afraid to negotiate – especially when large or bulky items are involved.

2. Import Duties, VAT, and Compliance with UK Regulations

One of the biggest shocks to first-time importers is the final cost once the goods arrive in the UK. Beyond shipping and packaging, there are UK import duties, VAT, and possible customs clearance costs. If you don’t factor these in upfront, they can eat into your budget quickly.

For items like lighting, furniture or bathroom fixtures, the import duty can range anywhere from 0% to 12%, depending on the classification code (HS code) used. You’ll also typically need to pay 20% VAT on top of the value of the goods plus the shipping and duty costs.

Even more important than cost is compliance. The goods you import must meet UK standards, especially for electricals, plumbing fixtures, and fire-rated materials. For example, lighting must comply with UKCA certification, CE standards (or equivalent), and use UK-compatible wiring unless you plan to rewire it on arrival. This is vital for both safety and insurance liability.

Always ask your supplier for documentation upfront – test certificates, material specifications, product data sheets – and double-check with a knowledgeable freight forwarder or import specialist if you’re unsure. If a product doesn’t meet UK requirements, you may not be allowed to sell or install it, and customs may seize or destroy the shipment.

You might also need to hire a UK customs broker for smooth clearance. They’ll help classify your items correctly, manage duty and VAT, and ensure paperwork is submitted properly. Don’t be tempted to cut corners here – mistakes in customs declarations can cause long delays or fines.

3. Choosing the Right Shipping Method for Your Needs

There’s more than one way to ship goods from China – sea freight, air freight, courier, or sometimes rail. Each method has pros and cons depending on how quickly you need products, your budget, and the volume of goods.

Sea freight is the most economical for large/bulky/heavy orders – like furniture, flooring, and bathtubs – but it takes longer, typically 4–6 weeks door-to-door. You’ll need to choose between FCL (Full Container Load) if you’re filling an entire 20ft or 40ft container, or LCL (Less than Container Load) if you’re sharing a shipment. With LCL, expect some additional handling charges at the ports.

Air freight is faster – sometimes as little as 5–10 days – but significantly more costly. It's ideal when you're working with tight timelines or shipping smaller, lightweight items such as accessories or premium lighting pieces.

Couriers like DHL, UPS, or FedEx offer an express option (sometimes called “door-to-door shipping”) which is ideal for samples or small orders under 100kg. However, costs increase dramatically when dimensions are larger, even if the weight is low.

If you're looking to reduce costs and maintain reliability, rail freight is a growing option between China and Europe. While not widely used for décor goods yet, it can be suitable for certain importers located near inland logistic hubs who want a mid-speed, mid-cost alternative.

Whichever method you choose, always request a detailed shipping quote before finalizing your order. Look out for hidden handling, customs brokerage or delivery fees that may appear post-dispatch, and confirm that you’re choosing a forwarder with experience serving the UK market.

Final Thoughts

Importing from China can be a highly rewarding strategy for decorators, designers, and tradespeople in the UK. It opens doors to unique products and attractive pricing not easily matched locally. But before you place that order, understanding your Incoterms, fully accounting for duties and compliance, and selecting the right shipping method are absolutely crucial to protect your investment and timeline.

Partnering with a trusted freight forwarder or import specialist can be invaluable – especially for first-time importers or those dealing with high-value items. A little preparation goes a long way toward making your project run smoothly and professionally from start to finish.

Looking to arrange shipping from China for your next interior design or renovation project? Our team can help you navigate all three steps for a seamless experience. Reach out today for expert advice tailored to the UK market.