What do businesses need to know about freight shipping when importing from China?

Given that it is the second-largest economy in the world, China remains one of the world’s largest exporters, making it a lucrative part of many international supply chains.

However, when you are attempting to push for a more global reach with your business, you need to know that you will be able to keep pace with supply and demand.

Having a working understanding of the essentials of freight shipping from China is vital if you want to make the most of this excellent opportunity.

What are the challenges with shipping freight from China?

While China is currently playing a significant role in the global economy, shipping from the country is not without challenges.

The main challenges include:

  • Hidden shipping costs
  • Delayed shipments
  • Customs clearance problems
  • Inaccurate documentation
  • Poor supplier communication
  • Damaged goods during transit
  • Incorrect HS codes or labelling
  • Lack of shipment tracking visibility
  • Wrong shipping method selection
  • Difficulty consolidating goods
  • Lack of cargo insurance and risk control

While many of these challenges can apply in general, the distance between China and the UK can exacerbate many of these issues.

Given the ongoing volatility of the global economy, facing any one of these problems can severely affect your profit margin and make the endeavour less valuable.

The uniting factor behind these challenges is often a lack of awareness of how to manage the shipping procedure properly.

Business owners are pressed for time and attention in general and expanding into new markets brings a host of challenges.

As such, it is easy to overlook small details without realising their importance, only to discover issues further down the line.

How can I effectively ship freight from China?

Selecting the right shipping company is an important part of expanding business operations into new territories.

You should be able to rely on the shipping company to keep you well informed of any operational challenges that may affect your delivery.

Alongside this, adaptability is a core component of effective freight shipping.

Understanding and anticipating any issues that may prevent normal operations can keep you from missing out and suffering worse supply chain issues.

Our experts are on hand to guide you through the freight shipping process so that you select the right options that work for your business, rather than guessing at what looks promising.

Clear, honest engagement with our clients is how we work to provide a positive experience and we do not hide costs, so you know exactly what you need to pay.

We understand that expanding into a new territory may bring unforeseen challenges for you and that you may not be aware of every detail that will make the move a success.

That is why we are always happy to help so that you can ship freight from China with confidence and give your business the boost it deserves.

Get in touch with our team to learn more about shipping freight from China.

Guidance for Authorisation for Postponed VAT and Deferment Accounts

HMRC has migrated to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), which is the long-term replacement to the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system.

The below steps need to be taken to ensure your goods can be imported or exported without interruption.

Most business owners will already have a Government Gateway account to access their personal or
business tax account. You should use this account to access the CDS.

Firstly, if you have not already done so, you can register for CDS here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service

You will need your Government Gateway user ID and password as well as:
· GB EORI number
· Unique Tax Reference (UTR) number
· Business address held on record with HMRC
· Date of incorporation

Paying VAT and Duty

If Bermuda Forwarders (UK) is paying your VAT and Duty on your behalf and then invoicing this back to you, nothing will change.

If you are accounting for VAT using Postponed VAT accounting, you will need to access your postponed VAT statement via the CDS.

The other options for paying VAT and duty can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/paying-vat-and-duties-on-imports

You can view your balance and payments in the CDS Financial Dashboard, as well as grant and amend standing authorities for your payment accounts.

If you have your own Duty deferment account

The CDS uses a separate HMRC bank account to CHIEF, so you’ll need to set up a new direct debit.

You will also need to authorise Bermuda Forwarders (UK) to use your deferment account. This is done in the CDS Finance Dashboard.

Once you have registered for CDS, you will need to follow the below to authorise Bermuda Forwarders (UK) to enter import clearances on your behalf.

Click on the below link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/set-up-a-direct-debit-for-a-duty-deferment-account-on-the-customs-declaration-service

Click on the start after “How to set up or amend your Direct Debit”

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

You will now see the below screen:

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

On this screen, you will see under “Your customs financial accounts” a link showing “Manage your account Authorities”

Click on the link.

The below screen will be showing:

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Click on “Add an Authority”

Once you have clicked on the link, you will need to enter the Bermuda Forwarders (UK) EORI number: GB174113138000

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Following on from the above, now click on the “Cash: 100*****” as per the below.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Please then follow the prompt, going forward until the end. At the last screen, click on the authority starting “Today” then click on “Continue”.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

For assistance, please contact us:
Email: import@bermudaforwarders.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 161 870 3770

King Charles III to visit Bermuda

As a business closely integrated with the community in Bermuda, we are excited to hear that King Charles III will be visiting the island for the first time as Monarch, marking his first Royal Visit to a British Overseas Territory.

The visit is set to take place at the end of April 2026, following his State Visit to the United States of America.

As His Majesty’s Government shares: “The King and Queen will celebrate historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, before continuing to Bermuda for His Majesty’s first Royal Visit to a British Overseas Territory.”

This is a momentous occasion for Bermuda, as it will be the first Sovereign visit to the island in 16 years, and the first visit by King Charles since his Coronation.

The Governor of Bermuda, His Excellency Andrew Murdoch CMG, expressed his enthusiasm: “This visit is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions Bermudians make to their communities and strengthen Bermuda’s partnership with the UK.”

King Charles’s last official visit to Bermuda was in 1970, and the last visit by a Sovereign was in 2009 with Queen Elizabeth II.

This visit is sure to bring global attention to Bermuda and we look forward to sharing more details as the event approaches.

Air Freight Exceptional Circumstance Surcharge

Recent developments in the Middle East are creating exceptional operational challenges across global aviation. Rising fuel prices across the logistics supply chain, longer flight routings and new operational constraints are materially increasing the cost of operating air cargo services worldwide.

To maintain the reliability during this period, IAG will be introducing an Exceptional Circumstances Surcharge.

What is changing?

From 28th March 2026, the Exceptional Circumstances Surcharge of £0.16/kg will apply to all shipments on flights departing on or after this date. The surcharge will be calculated based on the actual weight of the shipment.

IAG will continue to monitor operating conditions and review the situation regularly. By implementing the surcharge, IAG are best placed to continue supporting your supply chains and maintain service during this period of global uncertainty.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Emergency Bunker Charge (EBC)

Recent developments in the Middle East are creating exceptional operational challenges across global shipping. Rising fuel prices across the logistics supply chain, longer flight routings and new operational constraints are materially increasing the cost of operating ocean cargo services worldwide.

We would like to inform you that, due to recent and significant increases in global fuel costs, ACL will be implementing an Emergency Bunker Charge (EBC) on all cargo moving between the UK and North America, which includes our Bermuda bound containers.

Surcharge Type:Emergency Bunker Charge (EBC)
Effective Date:5th April 2026
Amount:DRY VAN / HI CUBE / OPEN TOP / FLAT RACK CONTAINERS = 125 USD per / TEU
REEFERS:200 USD per /TEU

These temporary surcharges are necessary to help offset the sharp rise in bunker fuel prices that are impacting transportation and logistics operations worldwide.

The Emergency Bunker and fuel charges will take effect from 5th April 2026.

Please note that this measure is intended to address exceptional market conditions and will be reviewed regularly in line with fuel price developments.

Atlantic Container Line remains committed to maintaining reliable service and minimizing the impact on your supply chain wherever possible.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ocean Freight Rate Update

As we settle into 2026, freight rates continue to rise modestly for nearly all destinations. We are pleased to announce that we have negotiated an extension of our existing agreements and therefore, there are zero increases in our ocean freight rates for Q1 & Q2 of 2026.

We continue to offer the fastest and most frequent ocean freight service from the UK Bermuda, via LCL, FCL and Ro-Ro. Please contact us for assistance with any of our services.

Webtrack:

We are excited to launch our new Webtrack service, which can be accessed here: https://www.bermudaforwarders.co.uk/tracking/

We will be sending a more detailed email regarding our webtrack service in the coming weeks. If you wish to use the service ahead of time, please contact us for instructions.

Surcharges:

February & March 2026 :

Supplementary Bunker Surcharge : USD 305.00 per container
International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) : USD 30.00 per container