Once your container has been cleared through customs, it still has to reach you. We arrange container haulage from the main UK ports to warehouses, shops, factories and depots anywhere in the UK, whether we handled the sea freight or not.
Ports we collect from
- Felixstowe, the UK's busiest container port
- Southampton
- London Gateway
- Other UK ports on request
Delivery options
| Option | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Standard delivery | You have a loading bay or forklift. The container stays on the trailer while you unload. |
| Side-loader | No loading dock. The container is lifted onto the ground so you can unload in your own time. |
| Drop and collect | The container is left with you and collected later, for larger loads or slow unloading. |
| Devanning at a depot | We unload the container at a depot and deliver the goods on pallets by smaller vehicles. Useful for sites that can't take a container lorry. |
Tell us about access restrictions, such as narrow roads, low bridges, parking limits or delivery time windows, when you book, so the right vehicle is sent.
Container weights and UK road limits
What a shipping line lets you load into a container and what can legally travel on UK roads aren't always the same. A standard UK articulated lorry is limited to 44 tonnes gross, including the tractor unit, trailer and container. In practice:
- 40ft containers of general cargo are rarely a problem
- Heavy 20ft containers, such as tiles, stone, metal or machinery, may need a tri-axle trailer or a lighter tractor unit to stay within the limit
- Overweight containers can be refused at the port or need special arrangements
Send us the gross weight of the container (cargo plus container) when you book, and we'll make sure the right vehicle is sent. If you're planning a very heavy load, talk to us before your supplier packs it, as it's far easier to adjust at origin than at a UK port.
Planning your delivery slot
UK container ports run vehicle booking systems, so collection slots must be booked in advance and can be tight in busy periods. The earlier we have the arrival details, the more choice of delivery date you'll have. We confirm the delivery day and an estimated time with you before the container leaves the port, and you can tell us about any time windows or site rules.
Short-term storage and warehousing
Not ready to receive your goods? Rather than leaving the container at the port, where storage charges can build up quickly, we can devan the container and store your goods in a warehouse close to the port, then deliver when you're ready, in one go or in smaller loads.
This suits:
- Importers waiting for space in their own warehouse
- Seasonal stock that arrives before it's needed
- Businesses that want to split a container across several delivery addresses
Avoiding port charges
Containers left at the port beyond the free time attract storage and demurrage charges, and empty containers kept too long attract detention. To keep these down:
- Send the shipping documents early, so customs clearance is ready before arrival
- Confirm the delivery address and booking slot in advance
- Make sure someone is on site to unload at the agreed time
- Return empty containers promptly. We handle the return to the shipping line.
Working with your existing forwarder
If another forwarder or shipping line is bringing your container in on port-to-port terms, we can still do the customs clearance and haulage. Send us the arrival notice and container number, and we'll take it from the port.
Road freight
Alongside container haulage, we arrange road freight for pallets and part loads within the UK, and for consignments to and from Europe. Ask us when you need goods moved onward from our warehouse or between UK sites.
What we need from you
- Container number or booking reference, and the arrival port
- Delivery address, with any access notes
- Whether you have a loading dock or need a side-loader
- Preferred delivery date and time
Book a collection or get a quote. We answer within 4 working hours.