Est. 1996. One contact per shipment, every time.
Est. 1996. One contact per shipment, every time.
AIR FREIGHT FROM HONG KONG
Plexus Freight coordinates air freight from Hong Kong to the UK with priority services from 1 to 3 working days and standard services from 5 to 10 working days via Hong Kong International Airport. One named contact manages every stage. B2B commercial cargo only.
How we work with you
As your international air freight forwarder, Plexus Freight manages every stage of your consignment from UK collection to door delivery. Our Portishead team coordinates export customs clearance at origin, selects the right routing and carrier for your lane, monitors your air freight tracking throughout transit, and coordinates your UK import customs entry on arrival via our Felixstowe agents. One team accountable for every stage.
Your named account manager is your single point of contact from the moment you send us your cargo details. You are not passed between departments. You do not chase updates. We provide them.
Our air freight network covers the primary trade lanes used by UK importers and exporters moving time-critical cargo. Every route below includes integrated customs clearance coordination from our Portishead team, handled via our dedicated Felixstowe agents. Indicative transit times are measured from collection at origin to delivery at your UK destination address.
4 reasons UK businesses choose Plexus Freight for their international air cargo.
Routings confirmed before your cargo moves, with transit times from 3 working days depending on destination and routing.
CDS import entries are filed by Felixstowe partners, exclusively alongside your air freight shipping.
Your account manager coordinates collection, routing, customs, and delivery. One responsible person throughout.
All-in rates calculated upfront, including every surcharge. The quote you approve is what you pay.
Air freight rates are based on chargeable weight. Here is what that means for your consignment.
The greater of actual gross weight or volumetric weight
Length x width x height in cm, divided by 6,000
Adjusted periodically in line with jet fuel prices
Applied at both origin and destination airports
Cost, Liability and Insurance
Air freight rates are calculated on chargeable weight, not on actual weight alone. Chargeable weight is the greater of your consignment's actual gross weight and its volumetric weight. Airlines apply whichever figure is higher as the basis for the freight charge. Our Portishead team calculates chargeable weight and provides a full cost breakdown, including all applicable surcharges, before you commit to a booking.
Volumetric weight is calculated by multiplying the length, width and height of your consignment in centimetres and dividing the result by 6,000. If your cargo is physically heavy but compact, the airline charges on actual weight. If your cargo is large but light, the airline charges on volumetric weight.
Example Calculation:
A consignment measuring 100 cm × 80 cm × 60 cm has a volumetric weight of 80 kg. If the actual weight is 40 kg, the airline charges on 80 kg. Our team calculates
chargeable weight at the point of quotation so that the rate we provide reflects the true cost of moving your cargo.
London Heathrow (LHR) offers the widest range of direct freighter services and the most competitive rates on high-volume lanes including China, the USA and India. Manchester (MAN) is available for consignments collected across the North of England and the Midlands, reducing inland collection costs on those lanes.
Our Portishead team selects the most cost-effective departure airport and routing for each consignment. You do not need to specify a departure airport. We handle that decision as part of the service.
To return a firm, all-in rate within 1 working hour, our team requires the following details: gross weight in kilograms, dimensions of each piece in centimetres, origin address or airport, destination country and city, and your required delivery date.
For time-critical consignments where you need a rate immediately, call 01275 778400. We are available 24/5.
The right mode depends on your delivery deadline, cargo weight and budget. Here is a working guide.
Every CDS import entry is coordinated by our Portishead team and filed via our dedicated Felixstowe agents, so your cargo clears without delay.
Our team confirms chargeable weight, carrier liability under the Montreal Convention and cargo insurance options before your shipment moves.
Active lanes to China, the USA, India and the UAE, with transit times from 2 working days confirmed at the point of enquiry.
For consignments over 500 kg with a delivery window of 25 days or more, sea freight offers a considerably lower cost per kilogram.
Answers to the most common questions about our international air freight services.
Air freight transit time depends on your origin country and the routing airport used. Most major lanes including China, the USA, India and the UAE typically take 2 to 5 working days from collection at the supplier's premises to delivery at your UK address. This covers export customs at origin, the flight, UK import clearance and onward delivery. Transit can extend by 1 to 2 days if a Border Force inspection or a connecting hub is involved. Our Portishead team confirms the exact transit time for your specific route at the point of enquiry.
On chargeable weight, which is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (length x width x height in cm, divided by 6,000). The total cost also includes fuel surcharge, security surcharge and airport handling fees at origin and destination. Our Portishead team includes all charges in the rate we quote. There are no additions after you approve the figure.
Chargeable weight is the weight basis airlines use to calculate freight charges. It is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight. Low-density goods such as packaging materials or hollow items often carry a volumetric weight considerably higher than their actual weight.
Under the Montreal Convention, the airline's liability is capped at 22 SDR per kilogram of gross weight, approximately £23 to £25 per kilogram at current rates. For most commercial cargo this is well below the actual value of the goods. Our Portishead team recommends all-risks cargo insurance on every air freight consignment.
Yes. All goods arriving by air require a CDS customs entry before release. Our Portishead team coordinates this entirely for you. We calculate duty and VAT, manage postponed VAT accounting where applicable, and our dedicated Felixstowe agents file the entry on your behalf.
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Businesses across the UK trust our B2B commercial logistics team to move their freight. Here is what they say.
FROM THE PLEXUS JOURNAL
Customs updates and trade compliance, written by the Plexus team in Portishead. Practical. No jargon.
