The simplest way is to consolidate everything in Foshan and ship it in one container by sea. Products from every factory come together, are inspected and packed by room, and leave with one manifest, one customs clearance and one delivery. Sea freight takes about four to six weeks; import duty and VAT are quoted up front for the UK before you order.
The route, step by step
- Order and production. Items are made or ordered to the approved drawings and finishes. Production and consolidation take two to four weeks after final approval, depending on the project.
- Inspection. Every piece is checked against the drawings, the approved finish and the hardware, then photographed and filmed.
- Consolidation. Everything is brought to one warehouse. At Andrew One this is our own 10 000 m² distribution centre in Foshan.
- Export packing. Pieces are export-packed and labelled by room, so your installers know where every crate goes.
- Sea freight. One container from a port near Foshan to your UK port, usually four to six weeks.
- Customs and import. Import duty and VAT are paid on arrival. The documents come from one shipper, so there is one clearance instead of many.
- Delivery and installation. The container is delivered to your door with installation drawings and remote guidance.
One container or several shipments?
| One consolidated container | Separate shipments per supplier | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs clearances | One | One per shipment |
| Deliveries to site | One | Many, on different dates |
| Damage claims | One shipper, one manifest | Separate claim per supplier |
| Packing by room | Yes | Rarely |
Costs to budget for
- Sea freight to your port
- Insurance from the warehouse to your door
- Import duty and VAT, which depend on the goods
- Delivery from the port and installation
We list all of them in the whole-number checklist and quote them before you order.
Next step
Send your floor plan and postcode area and we will come back with a first direction and a budget range within two working days. See the company facts or contact us.
Frequently asked
How long does shipping furniture from China to the UK take?
Sea freight from Foshan takes about four to six weeks depending on the destination port. Add production and consolidation (two to four weeks after approval, depending on the project) for a new interior.
Do I pay import duty and VAT on furniture from China?
Yes, import duty and VAT apply in the UK and depend on the goods. Andrew One quotes them up front and confirms them for your destination before you order.
Can furniture from several factories be shipped together?
Yes. Andrew One brings products from every factory to its own distribution centre in Foshan and loads them into one container with one manifest and one customs clearance.