Cost-effective deliveries from Shenzhen and across the Globe
The Port of Shenzhen comprises several ports along the coastline of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, China.
Get a free quote today
Learn more
Importing From Shenzhen to the UK
Shenzhen is the tech capital of China, and if you are buying electronics and tech equipment, your supplier will choose to export through Shenzhen port. When importing from Shenzhen to the UK, you and your supplier should work with a clear contract setting out the payment and delivery terms you have agreed.
Using incoterms (International Commercial Terms) helps to lower the risk of misunderstandings and delivery mishaps. We have compiled this guide to help you understand all terms used in international shipping. Though FOB is the most common, there’s nothing wrong with having all bases covered. In this article, we talk about:
- EXW
- FOB
- FCA
- FAS
- CPT
- CFR
- CIP
- CIF
- DAT
- DAP
- DDP
Read our FAQ'sLearn more about us
What are incoterms?
Incoterms (international commercial terms) provide the details of the:
- delivery location
- who is responsible for covering the cost of each part of the journey and
- The point at which the seller transfers ownership of the goods to you
REQUIREMENTS
Import Terms
EXW- ExWorks
EXW means that the seller will make the goods available for pick up at their warehouse. You are responsible for the transport cost to Shenzhen port and export clearance. Though EXW is very expensive, it comes with the assurance that your chosen freight forwarder will handle your goods throughout the entire process.
FOB – Freight on Board/ Free on Board
FOB means that the seller will ship the goods from his warehouse to Shenzhen port and handle all local transportation costs. Your responsibility begins once the goods arrive at Shenzhen port. You will handle the transport cost to the UK, import clearance, and inland transportation to your final destination.
FCA – Free Carrier
The seller handles export clearance and delivers the goods to the agreed place of delivery (Shenzhen port). In turn, you are responsible for the goods once they reach the port and bear the cost of loading the cargo on the ship. If the seller’s warehouse is the agreed place of delivery, the seller will bear the cost of loading to the carrier.
FAS – Free Alongside Ship
The seller delivers the goods to the ship’s side at Shenzhen port, assumes all risk, and clears the goods for export. You handle all costs from that point on, including the cost of loading the goods.
CPT – Carriage Paid To
The seller pays for the shipping of goods to the UK port of your choice. Liability and ownership of the goods are transferred to you once the goods arrive in the UK. You will bear the cost of unloading the vessel and inland transport to your location. Even though your seller will handle export clearance and freight costs, you will still assume the risk and insurance during transit from Shenzhen to the UK.
CFR – Cost and Freight
The seller handles the shipping cost to your port of choice in the UK. However, the seller hands over the risk to you once the goods are loaded onto the ship at Shenzhen port. CFR is similar to CPT except that CFR only applies to water-based transport.
CIP – Carriage and Insurance Paid To
CIP is similar to CPT except for one key difference. The seller will cover insurance for the goods during transit for any mode of transport. Once the local carrier hands over the goods at Shenzhen port, the seller hands over the risk to you (while still handling insurance) until the goods are unloaded at your chosen UK port.
CIF – Cost Insurance and Freight
The seller bears the shipping cost from Shenzhen to the UK, assumes all risk, and pays for insurance of the goods until they arrive. The seller is responsible for clearing customs, and you are responsible for paying the duty. CIF is the same as CIP, except CIF is specifically for water-based transport.
DAT – Delivered at Terminal
The exporter/seller delivers the goods to a UK port of your choice and covers the unloading costs. From that point, you are responsible for the cost and risk of the goods. The seller bears all risks and costs associated with the cargo until it reaches the UK. Once the goods arrive, you bear the cost of import clearance and inland transportation to your location.
DAP – Delivered at Place
The seller delivers the goods to your final destination in the UK and assumes all risks associated with the shipping and loading costs. You bear the unloading and import clearance costs.
DDP – Delivered Duty Paid
DDP means that the seller pays for and is responsible for everything. You are only responsible for unloading the goods once they arrive at your final destination. DDP is the easiest for the buyer but often very expensive. That’s because the goods ship with the seller’s chosen shipping company, which might not be the cheapest. Before settling on DDP terms, compare the cost with the seller’s FOB quote and a shipping quote from an expert freight forwarder.
We are friendly, easy to work with, honest and we do not charge the earth.
Here at Barrington, we pride ourselves on being friendly and trustworthy partners. Importing from Shenzhen to the UK involves numerous complexities, and our job is to make the process easy for you. You can count on us to provide timely updates as your items ship from Shenzhen to Felixstowe or any other port. Ready to ship with us? Visit our warehouse at the Bowden Terminal in Basildon, Essex or contact us for a quote!
