Shipping between UK and Italy
When it comes to facilitating trade and the transportation of goods between the UK and Italy, sea freight is crucial. Its popularity is largely a result of the historical track record of trade between the two nations and the capacity of ships to transport large amounts of cargo. Several shipping routes connect ports in the UK and Italy. These ports act as crucial entry points for bulk carriers, roll-on/roll-off vessels, and container ships, facilitating the transportation of a variety of goods.
Compared to air freight, sea freight is less expensive, but there are risks to take into account, such as delays and loss of goods.
Benefits of Sea Freight
Sea freight is frequently more cost-effective than other modes of transportation, particularly for large or bulky shipments. It is particularly beneficial for businesses with limited transportation budgets or that ship goods in bulk. Sea freight can transport a variety of cargo types, including dry goods, refrigerated goods, oversized cargo, and hazardous materials. Because of its adaptability, it is suitable for a wide range of industries and commodities. In general, sea freight emits less carbon than other modes of transportation. Choosing sea freight can help to reduce your shipments' carbon footprint, thereby supporting environmental sustainability efforts.
Negative aspects of Sea Freight
When compared to other modes of transport, sea freight typically has longer transit times. This can be an issue for time-sensitive shipments or perishable goods that require expedited delivery. Sea freight frequently involves multiple handling processes, such as port loading and unloading and potential transshipment. When compared to direct transportation modes such as air freight, these additional handling steps increase the risk of damage or loss. Inland locations may have limited access to ports, necessitating additional transportation and logistics arrangements to transport goods from the port to the final destination. This can increase the overall transit time.
Key ports of the United Kingdom
The Port of Felixstowe
Located on the east coast of England, the Port of Felixstowe is the largest container port in the United Kingdom and the sixth largest in Europe, with an annual capacity of over 4 million containers. It is equipped with modern terminals, automated cranes, and multimodal transport infrastructure, including rail connections to major UK cities.
In 2020, the port handled more than 3.9 million standard containers, an increase of 3.7 percent over the previous year.
The Port of Southampton
Located on the south coast of England, the Port of Southampton is the second-largest container port in the United Kingdom, with an annual capacity of over 2.8 million containers. It has modern terminals for handling containers and general cargo, as well as significant storage capacity.
In 2020, the port handled more than 1.5 million standard containers, a 3% decrease from the previous year.
The Port of London
Located along the River Thames, the Port of London is the UK's largest port in terms of tonnage and one of Europe's largest container ports, with an annual capacity of over 2.7 million containers. The port is served by inland waterways and multimodal transport infrastructure for domestic and international connections.
In 2020, the port handled more than 1.5 million standard containers, an 11 percent decrease from the previous year.
Major ports in Italy
The Port of Trieste
The Free Port of Trieste, located in Trieste, Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, is the most important commercial port in the country. It is a significant hub for maritime commerce and trade, with a trade volume of 62 million tonnes.
In 2019, the port handled nearly 790,000 TEUs, an increase from the previous year.
The Port of Livorno
One of the biggest seaports in the Mediterranean Sea is the Port of Livorno, which is located in Tuscany on the western coast of Italy. It holds a prominent position among Italian seaports, with an impressive annual traffic capacity of roughly 30 million tonnes of cargo and 700,000 TEUs.
With more than 36 million tons of cargo moved in 2021 alone, the Port of Livorno ranks third among commercial ports in terms of the volume of cargo moved annually. Notably, it managed to handle over 29,000 refrigerated containers in 2022, which was over 11% of all full containers that passed through the port.
The Port of Genoa
Located on Italy's northwest coast, The Port of Genoa is a significant seaport and one of the busiest in the country. It is regarded as one of Italy's most important seaports, competing with other major Mediterranean ports such as Marseille and Barcelona.
The Port of Genoa is an important hub for maritime commerce and trade, with a trade volume of 51.6 million tonnes. Its strategic location and efficient operations allow it to handle a diverse range of cargo, contributing to its regional prominence.
Maritime consolidation or LCL (Less than Container Load)
LCL shipping entails the sharing of a container by multiple customers. It is used for small shipments that do not necessitate a full container and saves money on transportation.
FCL (Full Container Load)
The FCL shipment consists of filling a container with a single customer's goods. It is recommended for large-scale shipments of goods. The container is completely sealed and never opened.
If you know the exact weight and volume of your goods, you can estimate the cost of transport yourself. Here's how to do it:
- Determine the UP (paying unit) of your shipment. To do this, compare the weight and volume of your shipment and choose the highest value. For example, if your shipment weighs 45 tons and measures 40 m³, the PU will be 45.
- Calculate the base freight by multiplying the UP cost by the number of UPs needed for your shipment. For example, if the UP cost is $600 and the UP for your shipment is 45 tons, the base freight will be $27,000.
- Add the additional charges to the base freight to get the net freight. Additional charges may include BAF (bunker adjustment factor), CSP (currency surcharge percentage), and any rebates. You can calculate the net freight with the following formula: Base freight + BAF + CSP - Rebate.
Tariff surcharges
Here is a list of some of the tariff surcharges that may apply when importing goods into the UK:
- Customs Duty: a tax applied to imported goods based on their value.
- Anti-Dumping Duty: a surcharge applied to imported goods sold at a lower price than the domestic market price.
- Countervailing Duty: a surcharge applied to imported goods that receive subsidies from the exporting country's government.
- Excise Duty: a tax applied to certain goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and fuel.
- Value Added Tax (VAT): a tax applied to the value of goods being imported.
- Tariff rate quotas (TRQs): a quota limit on the amount of a certain type of goods that can be imported at a lower tariff rate.
Customs clearance in the UK for goods imported from Italy
When transporting goods across international borders, importers and exporters must go through customs clearance. Customs clearance is required in the United Kingdom and Italy for all goods imported from non-EU countries. This includes submitting the import declaration, commercial invoice, packing list, and any additional documents that may be requested by the customs authorities. The process of customs clearance involves several steps, including;
- The submission of import declarations,
- The payment of duties and taxes, and
- Compliance with regulatory requirements.
In this context, it is important to understand the customs clearance process in the UK and the key requirements that importers must meet when importing goods from Italy.
How can I find my HS code?
You need to determine the HS code in order to learn which taxes and customs fees are imposed on your merchandise. A standardized system for classifying goods for customs purposes is called the Harmonized System (HS).
An HS code is created as follows:
How do you identify the HS code?
The simplest way to determine the HS code for your products is to visit the UK Customs website and follow the steps below.
Step 1: Click on "Start now".
Step 2: Enter the name of your product.
Step 3: Assess the outcomes and make the appropriate choice.
Step 4: The correct HS code for your product is now visible to you.
Calculate customs duties with the HS Code
Click on the HS code for your product on the same page where you found your HS Code. Then select the country of origin of the products.
You can now see what taxes and customs duties apply to your product from Italy.
For our example, we can see that for pineapple from Italy, the import duties are 4% and the VAT is 20%.
Storage Service
Our storage facilities are designed to provide the highest level of security for your stored goods. They are accessible 24/7, allowing you to have convenient access to your items whenever necessary. To ensure the safety of your belongings, our facilities are equipped with advanced video surveillance systems, providing round-the-clock monitoring and protection.
You can visit our dedicated page: Storage Services
Transport insurance
Transport insurance will cover any damage or breakage that your goods may sustain during transit. Without insurance, you will be exposed to risks. We have negotiated with the best-certified insurers in order to provide you with the most cost-effective and secure insurance contract possible.
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Packaging service
Our well-versed team is familiar with the best practices for packaging various types of cargo, including fragile items, valuable goods, and oversized equipment. We take into account the specific needs of your products and use appropriate materials and techniques to ensure optimal protection during transportation.
More information on our dedicated page: Packaging Services
Moving service
Take advantage of our international moving service to ensure that your move runs smoothly. We offer an assortment of moving packages designed to guarantee that your needs are always met. You can save up to 30% on your moving estimate by choosing to engage with us.
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