Foshan

Importing from Foshan to the UK

Foshan Port, located in Guangdong Province, serves several major factory districts within the Pearl River Delta region (a key economic zone in China).

The port primarily facilitates trade for Foshan itself, known for its significant manufacturing capabilities, including furniture, ceramics, household appliances, and machinery.

The port's strategic location supports the transportation needs of various industrial clusters, such as the Shunde District. This area is recognised for its strong economic development and status as a manufacturing hub, especially for electrical appliances and furniture.

Foshan Port also serves the Nanhai District, which is home to numerous manufacturing enterprises focusing on aluminium products and machinery.

What are FOB and EXW terms?

Businesses looking to import goods from Foshan to the UK should understand two of the most important international trade standards, also known as ‘incoterms’: FOB and EXW.

  1. FOB
    FOB stands for 'Free on Board', which means that the seller is responsible for shipping the goods to the nearest port and all the costs and risks associated with handling the goods until they’re loaded onto the ship for shipping. Once the goods are safely on board the ship, control is transferred to you (the buyer). You’ll then need to pay for the import fees, customs clearance fees, and transportation from the port of origin to your final destination.
  1. EWX
    If you assume ‘Ex work’ conditions, your seller is only obligated to make the items available at their location (such as a factory or warehouse). You, the buyer, will have to take charge of the import and export procedures, loading the items, insurance, and customs clearance by taking on the least responsibility.

Sea Freight service options from Foshan to the UK

When it comes to shipping goods from Foshan Port to the UK, importers have two shipping options based on the volume of goods they intend to ship.

  1. FCL: When a shipper uses the Full Container Load (FCL) transportation method, their cargo fills a single, fully-owned container.

  2. LCL: When shippers with smaller cargo volumes share a container with other shippers because their goods do not fill the entire container, this practice is known as LCL shipping or less-than-container loading.

Do you need an export licence?

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) divides goods into three categories: "approved goods," "restricted goods," and "forbidden goods." The MoC provides export permits containing details about the exporter(s), buyer(s), cargo, value, and mode of transportation. A licence is needed to export banned items. When exporting to UK subsidiaries, Foreign Trade Companies (FTCs) in China are also required to obtain a licence. However, a licence is not needed to trade with a supplier in foreign overseas countries (FOBs).

Mandatory customs clearance import documents

Essential documents for UK businesses importing from Foshan Port include:

  • EORI number
  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Import licence (if required)
  • Bill of Lading (BL)