Shipping from China to United Kingdom: times, customs & tracking
How long parcels take, what customs expects, and how to track every step of the journey.
Typical delivery times
| Service | Working days |
|---|---|
| Economy (Cainiao / AliExpress Standard) | 15–35 |
| Semi-tracked (Yanwen, SunYou) | 12–30 |
| E-commerce express (YunExpress, 4PX) | 8–18 |
| Premium express (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | 3–7 |
Customs & duties
Marketplaces collect 20% VAT on UK orders up to £135; above that — and on private parcels above the gift threshold — Royal Mail, Parcelforce or the courier collects VAT plus duties and a handling fee before delivery. Gifts under £39 are exempt. Clearance usually takes 1–3 working days.
Tracking tips
Most China–UK parcels pause 3–7 days at Langley HWDC (the Heathrow international hub) while customs processes the batch. After that, last mile is Royal Mail, Evri or Yodel.
FAQs — China to United Kingdom
How long does China to UK shipping take?
Economy 15–35 days; semi-tracked 12–30; e-commerce express 8–18; premium express 3–7.
Who delivers once it arrives in the UK?
Royal Mail normally handles postal imports; Evri and Yodel move a lot of e-commerce volume. GetPackRoute follows the handoff automatically.
Do I pay customs on a parcel from China?
Orders up to £135 bought on marketplaces have VAT included at checkout; above £135 (and for private parcels above the gift threshold) VAT, duties and a handling fee apply.