Parcel Forwarding from the UK to China
China has one of the strongest appetites for authentic British goods in the world. UK luxury brands, heritage fashion, cosmetics, skincare and homeware carry exceptional cachet in China — yet many UK retailers do not ship directly, or offer prohibitively expensive international delivery. Send2Hub gives you a real UK delivery address at our secure warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent, giving you access to the full range of UK retail. Shop any UK brand, consolidate your purchases to save on shipping costs, and we forward everything to your address in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen or anywhere in China.
Shop Any UK Brand and Ship to China
Your free Send2Hub UK address gives you access to the full range of UK retail — including stores that do not offer direct shipping to China. Popular UK brands that Send2Hub customers in China regularly shop include Burberry, Barbour, Hunter, Ted Baker, Jo Malone, Boots No7, The Body Shop, Marks & Spencer, Next, ASOS, Fortnum & Mason and many more. Use your Send2Hub address at checkout as you would any UK delivery address — your parcel arrives at our warehouse, is automatically photographed, weighed and measured on arrival, and full details appear in your real-time account dashboard immediately.
Save money with parcel consolidation. Hold multiple UK purchases in free temporary storage and combine them into a single outbound shipment before forwarding to China. Consolidation typically reduces international shipping costs by 40–60% — one shipment, one customs declaration, one delivery. Learn more on our parcel consolidation page.
If a UK retailer does not accept your Chinese payment card or does not offer international checkout, our Shop & Ship service can purchase items on your behalf.
For Businesses — UK Returns Address for Chinese Sellers
If you sell on Amazon UK, eBay UK, Shopify or any other UK marketplace from China, a UK returns address is essential for maintaining competitive seller ratings and meeting marketplace requirements. Send2Hub provides a professional UK returns address at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse. Every return is automatically received, photographed and inspected on arrival — with full condition details and images in your real-time account dashboard the same day. Returns can be held in free temporary storage for consolidation before being re-shipped back to China in a single cost-effective shipment. Learn more on our e-commerce returns management page.
China Customs and Import Information (2026)
China's customs system is administered by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). Importing goods into China involves duties, VAT and in some cases a parcel tax depending on the value and nature of the goods. Regulations are updated regularly — we recommend verifying current requirements before shipping high-value items.
Personal Parcel Imports
For personal parcels shipped to individuals in China, simplified customs procedures apply to shipments valued under CNY 2,000 (approximately £208) and weighing under 30kg. A flat parcel tax of approximately CNY 70 per box is typically assessed. Items above CNY 2,000 are subject to a parcel tax of 25% as a flat rate for personal use imports.
Cross-Border E-Commerce (CBEC) Limits
Single transaction limit: CNY 5,000 — purchases below this value from CBEC-registered platforms benefit from simplified customs clearance and reduced tax rates.
Annual personal limit: CNY 26,000 — the cumulative total across all purchases in a calendar year. Above this limit, full import taxes apply to all subsequent purchases.
Note: Send2Hub ships as a UK forwarding service — not a CBEC-registered platform. Goods forwarded through Send2Hub are treated as direct personal imports. Customs treatment may differ from goods purchased directly through CBEC-registered retailers.
Import Duties and VAT
For commercial imports, China applies customs duties averaging approximately 8.5% on the CIF value, using China's 13-digit HS code system. VAT of 13% applies to most goods (9% on certain categories). Some luxury goods are also subject to a consumption tax. Use our worldwide customs duty estimator for an indication of charges for your specific shipment.
Required Documentation
Standard documentation for customs clearance in China includes a commercial invoice with accurate item descriptions and declared values, a packing list, and an air waybill or bill of lading. Send2Hub prepares all standard customs export documentation for every outbound shipment from our UK warehouse. The recipient's Chinese identity card number is required by most couriers for customs clearance in China — please have this ready when requesting a shipment through your account.
Restricted and Prohibited Items
China restricts or prohibits the import of certain publications and media, weapons and ammunition, controlled substances, certain food and agricultural products, encrypted communication devices and goods that do not meet Chinese safety or certification standards. Electronics may require CCC (China Compulsory Certification) for commercial imports. Visit our prohibited and restricted items page for full details.
Delivery Times from UK to China
DHL Express: 3–5 business days — fastest available with full door-to-door tracking across mainland China.
FedEx International Priority: 3–5 business days — reliable express with comprehensive tracking.
UPS Worldwide Express: 4–6 business days — strong for business shipments with detailed tracking.
Parcelforce Worldwide: 5–10 business days — cost-effective for heavier consolidated shipments.
All transit times exclude Chinese customs clearance which can add 1–5 business days. Use our shipping cost calculator to compare live rates for your specific shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions — UK to China Shipping
Can I shop UK brands that don't ship to China?
Yes. Your free Send2Hub UK address gives you access to any UK retailer — including stores that only ship domestically within the UK. Use your Send2Hub address at checkout, your parcel arrives at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse and we forward it to China. If a UK retailer does not accept your Chinese payment card, our Shop & Ship service can purchase items on your behalf.
How much import tax will I pay receiving a parcel from the UK in China?
For personal parcels under CNY 2,000, a simplified flat tax of approximately CNY 70 per box typically applies. Above CNY 2,000, a parcel tax of 25% applies on personal use imports, or full customs duty (averaging 8.5%) plus 13% VAT for commercial imports. Use our customs duty estimator for guidance specific to your goods.
Do I need to provide my Chinese ID number for customs clearance?
Yes — for most courier shipments to China, the recipient's Chinese identity card number is required by the courier for customs clearance. Please have this ready when requesting a shipment through your Send2Hub account.
Can I consolidate multiple orders before shipping to China?
Yes. Hold multiple parcels in free temporary storage and combine them into a single outbound shipment — saving 40–60% on shipping costs. Free storage: 30 days Individual, 45 days Business, 60 days Premium. Note that consolidation increases the total declared value which may affect the applicable customs category in China.
Which carriers does Send2Hub use for shipping to China?
We ship to China via DHL, FedEx, UPS and Parcelforce. Compare rates and estimated transit times using our shipping cost calculator.
Ready to start shopping UK brands and shipping to China? Register free and get your UK address in under two minutes. Questions? Get in touch with our team.