Tudor International Freight provides UK import services for businesses bringing goods into the UK from overseas suppliers, manufacturers and trading partners. We coordinate the process from collection overseas and international freight through to customs clearance and delivery to your premises.
Established in 1991, we arrange air cargo import, sea freight import and road freight import, recommending the most suitable transport option based on your goods, origin, required delivery timescale and budget.
Whether you need an urgent component moved by air, regular containers shipped by sea or pallets collected from a European supplier, our team can coordinate the key stages and keep you informed throughout the shipment.
As a registered UK customs broker and independent freight forwarder, Tudor International Freight can prepare import declarations, support duty and import VAT processes, coordinate final delivery and provide a dedicated UK-based team member from quote through to delivery.
COMPLETE IMPORT SUPPORT FOR UK BUSINESSES
Importing goods into the UK involves more than arranging transport. Supplier coordination, commodity codes, import customs declarations, duty and VAT, documentation and final delivery all need to be considered.
Our team reviews the cargo type, country of origin, shipment value, delivery requirements and timescale before recommending the most suitable import route. We will also guide you on the information your business must provide for the customs declaration.
Through our trusted overseas network, we can coordinate supplier collections, local export arrangements and international freight from origin to the UK. Our overseas partners support the shipment locally, while your dedicated UK-based Tudor Freight team member remains your single point of contact.
Our import freight forwarding service covers one-off shipments, regular supplier collections, urgent air cargo imports, larger sea freight consignments and road freight from Europe.
Ready to import? Request a free, no-obligation import quote, or call our import team on +44 (0) 333 1234 747.
PLANNING THE RIGHT IMPORT ROUTE
An import service should be planned around when your goods are needed in the UK. Supplier readiness, collection overseas, export formalities, international transit, UK customs clearance and final delivery all affect when the goods become available to your business.
The table below provides a quick comparison of the main import freight options. Timings and availability will depend on the origin, supplier location, cargo, carrier schedules, customs requirements, port or airport congestion and final UK delivery arrangements.
IMPORT MODE | BEST SUITED FOR | ORIGIN REQUIREMENTS | UK ARRIVAL REQUIREMENTS |
Production-critical parts, samples, high value goods, urgent stock and lighter goods | Suitable packing, security screening and airport cut-off requirements | Pre-arrival customs data and prompt final delivery arrangements | |
Containerised stock, machinery, larger purchasing volumes and heavy or bulk cargo | Supplier booking, loading arrangements and accurate shipping instructions | Port clearance, container collection, permitted storage time and unloading arrangements | |
European supplier collections, pallets and regular stock replenishment | Collection booking, export paperwork and suitable vehicle access | Border clearance, delivery access and a confirmed UK delivery window |
Share your supplier details, cargo information and the date your goods are needed. Our import team will review each stage and recommend a realistic plan for collection, customs clearance and final UK delivery.
IMPORT FREIGHT SERVICES FOR EVERY REQUIREMENT
Flexible import services for UK businesses, covering standard commercial freight, specialist cargo and shipments requiring additional planning.
AIR CARGO IMPORT
Fast air freight into the UK for urgent parts, samples, stock and high-value goods.
SEA FREIGHT IMPORT
Cost-effective sea freight import for FCL, LCL, groupage and containerised stock.
ROAD FREIGHT IMPORT
Flexible European supplier collections by pallet, part load, full load or dedicated vehicle.
UK CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
UK import customs clearance at ports and airports, including import declarations and guidance on the required commodity information.
WAREHOUSING AND BONDED MOVEMENTS
Storage, handling and onward distribution, including movements from port, airport or bonded warehouse.
OUT OF GAUGE AND PROJECT CARGO
Oversized, abnormal and multi-part imports planned around the route, specialist equipment, and final-site requirements.
IMPORT SUPPORT ACROSS KEY INDUSTRIES
We support UK importers across manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, chemicals, engineering, energy, technology, retail and exhibitions. Whether you are replenishing stock, sourcing materials from overseas suppliers or importing urgent parts for production, our team provides practical freight forwarding and customs support from collection overseas through to final UK delivery.
HOW YOUR IMPORT SHIPMENT MOVES
1. COORDINATE WITH THE SUPPLIER
Our overseas agent confirms when and where the goods are ready, checks collection arrangements and requests the required shipping documents from the supplier.
2. REVIEW THE IMPORT INFORMATION
We review the goods description, commodity code, customs value, country of origin, Incoterm and UK importer details before arrival.
3. COMPLETE UK CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
We prepare the import declaration, confirm duty and VAT arrangements, and coordinate release of the goods from the port or airport.
4. ARRANGE FINAL UK DELIVERY
We coordinate the delivery to the agreed address, keep you updated on the arrival time and provide the relevant shipment and customs paperwork for your records.
IMPORT CLEARANCE AT A GLANCE
UK import customs clearance depends on complete and accurate information about the goods, transaction and importer. Our team will guide you on what is required and request the relevant information before the shipment arrives.
The table below provides a quick guide to some of the key information commonly needed for a UK import declaration.
INFORMATION | WHY IT MATTERS | USUALLY PROVIDED BY |
Commodity code | Identifies the goods and helps determine customs duty, import controls and whether licenses are required | The UK Importer, using detailed product information |
Customs value | Helps calculate customs duty and import VAT | Commercial invoice |
Country of origin | Can affect duty rates, trade measures and access to preferential treatment | Supplier and supporting origin documents |
Incoterm | Helps establish the costs and responsibilities agreed between buyer and seller | Purchase agreement or commercial invoice |
Importer details | Identifies the business responsible for the import declaration | UK importer, including its EORI number where required |
Providing the correct import information before arrival helps our team prepare the customs declaration and coordinate clearance as efficiently as possible.
Import Services FAQs
What are import services?
Import services cover the planning and coordination required to bring commercial goods into the UK from overseas.
This can include collection from the supplier, arranging air, sea or road freight, preparing the UK import declaration, supporting customs clearance and duty and VAT arrangements, and coordinating final UK delivery.
What is air cargo import?
Air cargo import is the movement of goods into the UK from an overseas country by air freight. It is often the fastest import option and is commonly used for urgent, high value, lighter, time-critical consignments, including production parts, samples and stock needed quickly. Our import team can coordinate collection overseas, air freight, UK customs clearance and final delivery, recommending a service based on your goods, origin, timescale and budget.
How does UK customs clearance work for imports?
UK customs clearance involves submitting an import declaration to HMRC using information such as the goods description, commodity code, customs value, country of origin and importer details. The declaration helps determine whether customs duty and import VAT apply, as well as whether any licences, certificates or additional checks are required. We can prepare the UK import declaration using the information you provide, confirm the applicable duty and VAT arrangements, and coordinate customs clearance, release and final UK delivery.
Do I pay import duty and VAT on goods brought into the UK?
Customs duty and import VAT may apply when goods are imported into the UK. The amounts will depend on factors including the commodity code, customs value, country of origin and whether any relief, reduced rate or trade preference applies.
Our team can guide you on the information required to prepare the import declaration and identify the duty and VAT arrangements that apply to your shipment.
Can you collect goods from my overseas supplier?
Yes. Through our worldwide agent network, we can coordinate overseas collection, local export arrangements and international freight to the UK. We can then support UK customs clearance and arrange final delivery under the agreed service.
Our overseas agent will liaise with the supplier locally, while your dedicated UK-based Tudor Freight team member remains your single point of contact throughout the shipment.
Which is better for import cargo - air freight or sea freight?
Air freight is usually better when speed is the priority, particularly for urgent, lighter, high-value or production-critical goods. Sea freight is generally more cost-effective for heavy, bulky or less time-sensitive imports, including larger consignments and containerised stock.
The best option will depend on your cargo, origin, required delivery date and budget. Our import team will compare the expected transit time, total cost, customs requirements and final UK delivery arrangements before recommending the most suitable service.
What information do you need for an import quote?
To prepare an import quote, we need the overseas collection address, UK delivery address, goods description, number of packages, weight, dimensions, shipment value, country of origin, commodity code if available and required delivery timescale.
Please provide accurate weights and dimensions because these can affect the freight service available, the chargeable weight and the final cost of your shipment.
We may request additional information for controlled, dangerous, oversized or other specialist cargo.
