SEA
Sea Freight Services
Full container, shared container, and specialist sea freight from major UK ports. Cost-effective solutions for larger volumes, with customs clearance on both ends.
Sea freight is the most cost-effective mode for large volumes, heavy cargo, and shipments where transit time is less critical than cost. GoodFreight arranges Full Container Load and Less than Container Load sea freight from major UK ports to destinations worldwide. We handle reefer containers for temperature-sensitive cargo, flat rack and open top options for oversized machinery, and standard dry containers for general commercial goods. Our port coverage includes Felixstowe, London Gateway, Southampton, Hull, Liverpool, Kings Lynn, Wisbech, Teesport, Edinburgh, Ipswich, and Bristol.
We manage documentation, customs clearance on both ends, and port-to-site coordination as a single service. Whether you are shipping heavy machinery from Japan, fashion garments from Italy, or fresh produce from Kenya, you get a single point of contact for the complete movement. We do not hand the shipment off at the port and leave you to find a local agent at the other end.
WHAT WE SHIP
What We Ship: Sea
Our sea freight services cover these commodities. Click through for details on handling, trade lanes, and documentation.
How it works
Request for quote
Shanghai → UK • Air + sea options
Request a quote
Tell us the essentials: origin, destination, and what you are moving. No long forms or HS codes required.
Routing confirmed
Transit times and firm quote
Shipment summary
Confirmed and ready to dispatch
We confirm routing and timeline
We reply with clear transit times, routing options, and a firm quote. You decide how to proceed.
Pickup and dispatch
We arrange collection and book the transport. Your shipment is tracked from day one.
Shanghai → Felixstowe
Delivered 16:20 • Customs cleared
Live updates and delivery confirmation
Receive updates at key stages. We confirm delivery and close out the shipment.
GoodFreight at a glance
- UK to US East Coast: 10 to 14 days. UK to Turkey via Mersin or Izmir: 10 to 14 days.
- FCL and LCL options from all major UK ports.
- Reefer containers for frozen, chilled, and temperature-sensitive cargo.
- Flat rack and open top for oversized and heavy machinery.
- Full documentation and customs clearance on both UK export and import sides.
- Port-to-site coordination for project cargo and large equipment.
- 21 commodity types shipped by sea including machinery, food and beverage, fashion, consumer goods, and chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FCL and LCL sea freight?
FCL means Full Container Load. Your cargo occupies the entire container and travels directly from origin to destination without co-loading. This is faster, reduces handling risk, and gives you complete control. LCL means Less than Container Load. Your cargo shares container space with other shipments, is consolidated at the origin port, and deconsolidated at the destination port. LCL is more cost-effective for smaller volumes where a full container is not justified. We recommend the right option based on your cargo volume and timeline.
How long does sea freight from the UK to the US take?
UK to US East Coast ports including New York, Baltimore, and Savannah typically takes 10 to 14 days port-to-port. UK to US West Coast ports including Los Angeles and Seattle takes 18 to 25 days. Door-to-door transit adds collection, export customs clearance, port processing time at origin, and delivery at the US destination, which typically adds 3 to 7 days at each end.
How long does sea freight from the UK to Turkey take?
Sea freight from UK ports to Mersin or Izmir in Turkey typically takes 10 to 14 days port-to-port. Door-to-door transit including collection, UK export clearance, Turkish import clearance, and final delivery adds approximately 5 to 10 days to that figure. We provide specific door-to-door estimates at quote stage based on your cargo and the ports involved.
Do you handle reefer containers for temperature-sensitive cargo?
Yes. We arrange reefer container sea freight for frozen seafood, fresh produce, premium wine, pharmaceuticals, and other temperature-sensitive goods. Full cold chain documentation, temperature monitoring during transit, and food safety compliance at the destination are included. Tell us your required temperature range at quote stage and we will confirm the right reefer specification and carrier.
Can you handle oversized or heavy machinery by sea?
Yes. For cargo that exceeds standard dry container dimensions or weight limits, we arrange flat rack containers with no roof or side walls, or open top containers with no roof for craned loading. For very large or very heavy items, breakbulk options may be required. We coordinate specialist loading, securing, weight distribution, and any port permits needed for oversized cargo. Provide full dimensions and weight at quote stage for confirmation.
Need sea freight?
Tell us what you are moving. We will confirm routing, timeline, and pricing.