Are you about to import (or export) products between France and UK? You still have a doubt regarding the regulation or transport method? This is due to very difficult to find decent information among the ton of online advice that DocShipper has done in its “country guide”.

Table of Contents

What is the best way to ship goods from UK to France ?

Among all the transportation options, the best ways to transport your goods from UK to France are either by air, sea or road. We analyzed these three choices for you to offer you the best recommendations on which transportation method to use for your cargo from UK!

 

 

sea-freight-icon

Sea freight from the UK to France

Sea freight shipping from UK to France

What is goods transportation by sea? This is a mode of transportation in which cargo is shipped via sea routes. Maritime transport is international by definition, with the shipping industry handling 90% of global trade.

Importing and exporting goods via international maritime shipping ensures global maintenance and allows the movement of dangerous goods such as gas, liquids, and explosives. This shipping option may be the best choice if your company needs to transport large quantities without meeting any immediate deadlines.

You must consider the volume of your cargo, the delivery time, transportation costs, and the durability of the goods to be transported before making your decision. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of shipping goods by sea…

How long does it take to ship from UK to France by sea freight ?

To make everything clear for you, here is the average time (in days) from the major British ports and the French ones:

Southampton

Tilbury London Gateway Grangemouth

Liverpool

Marseille 6 6 6 8

7

Lyon

7 7 7 9

8

Havre

5 3 3 8

4

How much does it cost to ship a container from UK to France ?

The weight and volume of your freight are the most important factors to consider when calculating cargo. Indeed, transportation evaluation is always based on the weight-to-volume ratio.

The weight and volume proportions are as follows: "1 ton Equals 1 CBM" according to the ocean freight equality criterion.

If you're using the combination/LCL technique, the basic rate will be set by the weight and volume proportion rule and the 1,000 kg = 1 CBM guideline. The responsibility is defined in terms of the payload unit (PU), which is equivalent to the mass in tons or the volume in cubic meters, and is always "to the transporter's upside." As a result, the higher will be used.

For example, if the total volume of your shipment is 9 CBM and the heaviness weight is 6,000 kg, the total cost will be 9 UP. If the weight is 7,000 kg and the capacity is 6 m3, the cost is 7 UP.

If you use the FCL transporting strategy, the charge is a flat rate for each holder, and it is determined by the type of compartment used and the delivery companies that provide it.

Airfreight from the UK to France

Overview – Classic vs Express air freight 

When your items must be transported swiftly, air freight is chosen over sea freight. This method also has the lowest risk of causing damage to your equipment.

You have two alternatives when transporting your items by air: regular airfreight and expedited air freight.

The following is a breakdown of the two options: 

  • Traditional airfreight may put your products onto scheduled carriers like Air France, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic… 
  • Express airfreight is administered through networks of "courier corporations" such as DHL, FedEx, TNT, UPS, and others that provide door-to-door service.

Your product or cargo can be hand-delivered anywhere in the world within a week using expedited courier services. It's an "all-inclusive" service, which means that low-value items are usually exempt from customs clearance. Furthermore, for small volumes of less than 1 CBM, you may save money on transportation charges, which is even more cost-effective than LCL ocean shipment.

What are the advantages of airfreight?

 

  • The fastest method of delivery

    In comparison to ocean freight and rail cargo, airship cargo is without a doubt the finest option when your items need to be carried quickly. Accepting your items on time might be a huge benefit in some types of industries these days.

     

  • Flight and arrival times that may be relied on

    Flight arrival and departure timings are consistent, and airlines will arrive on time the majority of the time. In any case, missing a flight would not be a major inconvenience because flights depart every hour or so.

     

  • Send your cargo anywhere.

    Several carriers maintain a large database of objections that covers almost the whole globe. This means you may transport your package to almost any destination.

  • Spend less on insurance premiums.

    Due to the relatively short journey period of airship cargo, the protection inclusion rate is reduced. Despite the fact that airship freight is expensive, it saves money in terms of reduced protection expenditures.

     

  • A high level of security and a reduced risk of burglary and injury

    Air transportation provides a high level of security, with strict controls at the doors of air terminal areas reducing the risk of robbery and injury to freight.

  • There is less capacity and fewer items in stock.

    Because airship freight transit seasons are shorter, you may transport smaller amounts more frequently, therefore having a lot of excess space may not be necessary. Customs freedom, freight investigation, and handling are also more efficient because most items are delivered within a few hours.

     

  • There is less packing to do.

    Air shipments, on average, require less wrapping than ocean goods. This means that you save time and money by foregoing urgent aid.

     

  • Following

    The great majority of businesses, notably delivery companies, provide you with the ability to track your shipments using an application that allows you to track their progress from takeoff to arrival.

What is the difference between volumetric and gross weight?

How can you figure out your shipment's volumetric weight?

The air equality rule allows for a weight/volume ratio of 1:6 (1 ton for every 6 CBM) and a duty to net weight ratio of 1:6 or less in airfreight. To obtain the volumetric weight used as the basis for billing, the true volume is divided by six. The standard for express freight is 1:5.

gross weight calculationgross weight calculation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the model if the total volume of your merchandise is 1 CBM:

With the classic airfreight : it equals 1 CBM = 167 Kg (1:6)

With the express airfreight : it equals 1 CBM = 200 Kg (1:5)

 

Trucking from the UK to France

Used to transport goods simply between different terminals, such as an office or a warehouse to or from an airport, port or railway station, road freight is a method that remains indispensable in the transportation field. 

Rail freight from the UK to France

Overview – Rail freight from the UK to France

Same as trucking, the rail freight shipping between the UK and France became possible thanks to the euro channel. 

Rail shipping is significant, especially in nations and continents with extensive journey durations, such as China, Russia, the United States, and portions of Europe. Freight trains can transport a variety of cargo, including freight containers, automobiles,  grains, coal, minerals, and metals, among other things.

tunnel channel

 

 

 How much does it cost to ship goods by train?

 

The cost of shipping goods by train is dependable on many factors, such as the size, the type of shipping, the weight, the type of the goods being transported, the nature of the goods etc… 

All of these variables make the determination of the exact price for truck shipping quite complicated. However, you can find the needed answer on the Euro Tunnel website www.eurotunnelfreight.com.

What are the advantages of rail freight between the UK and France?

Rail freight is a mode of transport that British and European merchants are increasingly using. These European train lines are altering interchange designs and competing directly with delivery and carrier companies. Rail freight is undeniably appealing, since its cost is half that of air cargo and its transport time is half that of ocean cargo.

  • A vehicle configuration that is swift, safe, and effective.
  • Because of the high frequency of flights, the arrangement is adjustable to your shipments.
  • The large limit allows you to stack a lot of holders and hence a lot of money.
  • Travel times that are well-defined and predictable.
  • Significantly lower CO2 emissions for a better ecological profile.
  • There are extraordinary compartments such as reefers, open tops, tanks, and so on.

Are there any agreements between France and the UK?

There is an agreement between France and the UK called The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This agreement comes in place after Brexit and establishes different economic regulations, including trading. The agreement covers not just trade in goods and services, but also a broad range of other areas in the EU's interest, such as investment, competition, State aid, tax transparency, air and road transport, energy and sustainability, fisheries, data protection, and social security coordination.

DocShipper Advise : We help you with the entire sourcing process so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

  • Having trouble finding the appropriate product? Enjoy our sourcing services, we directly find the right suppliers for you!
  • You don't trust your supplier? Ask our experts to do quality control to guarantee the condition of your goods!
  • Do you need help with the logistics? Our international freight department supports you with door to door services!
  • You don't want to handle distribution? Our 3PL department will handle the storage, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery!

DocShipper | Procurement - Quality control - Logistics

 

Alibaba, Dhgate, made-in-china... Many know of websites to get supplies in Asia, but how many have come across a scam ?! It is very risky to pay an Asian supplier halfway around the world based only on promises! DocShipper offers you complete procurement services integrating logistics needs: purchasing, quality control, customization, licensing, transport...

Communication is important, which is why we strive to discuss in the most suitable way for you!