When you ship a full container load (FCL), the container is yours alone. It's packed and sealed at your supplier's premises and opened at your door. For anything over around 15 cubic metres it's the most cost-effective way to move goods by sea, and the safest, because nobody else's cargo is handled alongside yours.
We arrange FCL shipments to the UK from China, Bangladesh, India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, with our own offices in Dhaka and Chittagong (Chattogram) and agent offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Dubai, Jeddah and Kuwait.
Container sizes
| Container | Internal space | Max payload (approx.) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | around 33 cubic metres | around 25–28 tonnes | Heavy goods: machinery, tiles, food in bulk |
| 40ft standard | around 67 cubic metres | around 26–28 tonnes | General cargo, furniture, mixed stock |
| 40ft high cube | around 76 cubic metres | around 26–28 tonnes | Light, bulky goods: garments, homeware, cushions |
Weight limits also depend on UK road rules for the delivery leg, so very heavy 20ft loads sometimes need special haulage. We'll flag it when we quote.
Typical transit times to the UK
| Origin | Main ports | Typical port-to-port transit |
|---|---|---|
| China | Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou (Nansha), Qingdao | around 30–45 days |
| Bangladesh | Chittagong (Chattogram) | around 40–50 days |
| India | Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai | around 25–40 days |
| UAE and Saudi Arabia | Jebel Ali, Jeddah, Dammam | around 25–35 days |
These are guides, not promises. Transit depends on the sailing, transhipment ports and, in 2026, whether the service routes through Suez or around Africa. We give you the expected transit for your specific sailing when we quote. See our article on how the Middle East conflict is reshaping shipping.
UK arrival ports are usually Felixstowe, Southampton or London Gateway, depending on the shipping line.
What's included
A door-to-door FCL shipment with us covers:
- Booking with the main shipping lines on the sailing that suits your cargo-ready date
- Collection from your supplier, or delivery by them to the port, depending on the Incoterm
- Loading checks at origin, by our own staff in Bangladesh or our agent offices across Asia and the Gulf
- Export documentation prepared with your supplier
- Tracking and updates from one named contact
- UK import customs clearance, with duty and VAT worked out before arrival
- Haulage from the UK port to your warehouse, shop or depot
How the price is made up
We quote all-in, so there are no surprises when the goods land. A container price is made up of:
- Origin charges: collection, export clearance and terminal handling at the origin port
- Ocean freight: the shipping line's rate for the container, which moves with the market
- Surcharges: fuel (bunker), and on some routes emergency or war-risk surcharges
- UK port charges: terminal handling and documentation at the UK port
- Customs clearance: lodging the import declaration
- Delivery: haulage from the port to your address
- Duty and VAT: paid to HMRC, based on your goods (VAT is reclaimable if you're VAT registered)
The ocean freight part can change week to week, so quotes are valid for a set period. Ask us for a current rate; we answer within 4 working hours.
Who FCL suits
- Importers shipping 15 cubic metres or more per order
- Fragile or high-value goods that shouldn't be handled with other cargo
- Food and products with strict handling needs
- Businesses buying from several suppliers in one country, who can consolidate into one container at origin
Shipping less than that? A part load (LCL) is usually cheaper. Our guide to choosing between FCL and LCL explains where the line falls.
Avoiding extra charges
The most common unexpected costs on FCL shipments are demurrage and detention: charges for leaving a container at the port too long, or keeping it too long before returning it empty. The best protection is preparation:
- Send us the commercial invoice and packing list before the vessel arrives
- Make sure your commodity codes and any proof of origin are ready
- Have your delivery address and unloading arrangements confirmed in advance
- Tell us if you need a side-loader because there's no loading dock
With the declaration lodged early, your container can usually be released as soon as it's off the ship.
What we need from you to quote
- Origin city or port, and your UK delivery postcode
- What the goods are (a short description is fine)
- Number and size of containers, or the total volume and weight
- Cargo-ready date
- The Incoterm you've agreed with your supplier, if you know it
Get an FCL quote or call us. We answer quotes within 4 working hours.