Est. 1996. One contact per shipment, every time.
Est. 1996. One contact per shipment, every time.
LCL SEA FREIGHT UK
LCL sea freight consolidates your cargo in a shared container so you pay per cubic metre and ship smaller volumes without waiting to fill a box. Plexus Freight manages your LCL shipment from booking to delivery with 1 named contact, weekly sailings on major lanes, and proactive updates. Family-owned since 1996. B2B commercial cargo only.
SEA FREIGHT SERVICES
The right sea freight service depends on your specific cargo volume, budget, and how frequently you ship. Our team helps you navigate options to ensure maximum efficiency for your business.
Sole use of a 20ft or 40ft container.
Your cargo consolidated with other shippers in a shared container.
Tell us your cargo details and our Portishead team will advise on the right option at no charge.
Our sea freight network covers the major global trade lanes used by UK importers and exporters. Every route includes coordinated customs clearance from our Portishead team, filed via our customs agents at Felixstowe for international sea freight movements through the UK's largest container port. Transit times below are indicative for FCL services. LCL transit times are typically 3 to 7 days longer on the same lane.
UK CUSTOMS
All UK-bound sea freight shipments require a CDS customs entry before port release. Our Portishead team manages your documentation exclusively alongside your physical cargo movement, handling duty calculations and postponed VAT accounting for seamless delivery.
We do not offer standalone customs clearance services. Every entry is filed via our trusted third-party agents at Felixstowe, providing your business with 1 seamless point of contact from port to door.
Dedicated on-site coordination with port agents for faster container release
Filed directly via our dedicated Felixstowe agents alongside your shipment
Liability accurately calculated and confirmed upfront at the quotation stage
Cost, Liability and Insurance
Cost, liability and insurance answered directly by our Portishead team before your cargo moves.
Sea freight pricing depends on the service type (FCL or LCL), the route, cargo dimensions and weight, current market rates and applicable surcharges. Common surcharges include the Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF), Port Congestion Surcharge (PCS) and Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) where relevant to your lane and sailing date.
FCL rates are quoted per container. LCL rates are quoted per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater. Our Portishead team provides a full itemised cost breakdown at the quotation stage, including all applicable surcharges, before you commit to a booking.
Under the Hague-Visby Rules, the shipping line's liability for loss or damage is limited to 2 SDR per kilogram of gross weight, or 666.67 SDR per package, whichever is higher. For high-value cargo, this limit is typically far below the commercial value of the goods.
Our Portishead team advises on carrier liability at the point of quotation so you understand exactly what is and is not covered under the bill of lading before your cargo moves.
Standard carrier liability under the Hague-Visby Rules is not cargo insurance. If your goods are lost or damaged beyond the carrier's liability limit, you bear the financial risk unless you have arranged a separate all-risks marine cargo insurance policy.
Our Portishead team recommends all-risks marine insurance for every sea freight consignment, particularly for high-value, fragile or temperature-sensitive cargo. Ask for a cargo insurance quote when you enquire.
Answers to the most common questions about our sea freight services.
Sea freight transit time depends on your origin country, the departure port and whether you are shipping FCL or LCL. Shorter lanes such as the USA East Coast or the UAE typically take 10 to 22 days. Longer lanes such as China, India, Australia, Japan and Vietnam typically take 18 to 38 days. LCL groupage shipments generally take 3 to 7 days longer than FCL on the same lane, due to consolidation and deconsolidation handling at each end. Our Portishead team confirms the exact transit time for your specific route at the point of enquiry.
FCL gives you sole use of a 20ft or 40ft container. LCL consolidates your goods with other shippers in a shared container. LCL is more cost-effective for smaller volumes but adds 3 to 7 days to the overall transit time compared with FCL on the same lane, due to consolidation and deconsolidation handling at each end.
FCL shipments are priced per container. LCL shipments are priced per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater. Rates depend on the trade lane, port of loading and discharge, current market conditions and applicable surcharges. Our Portishead team provides a full itemised cost breakdown at the quotation stage before you commit to a booking.
Under the Hague-Visby Rules, the shipping line's liability is limited to 2 SDR per kilogram of gross weight, or 666.67 SDR per package, whichever is higher. For most commercial cargo this is considerably below the actual commercial value of the goods. Our Portishead team recommends all-risks marine cargo insurance for every sea freight shipment.
Yes. Any business importing goods into the UK requires a valid EORI number to file a customs entry through HMRC's Customs Declaration Service. EORI registration is free and typically takes 3 to 5 working days. Our Portishead customs team advises on the registration process for businesses that do not yet have one.
Excellent
131 reviews on
Trustpilot
Businesses across the UK trust our B2B commercial logistics team to move their freight. Here is what they say.
