WAREHOUSING
Warehousing and Storage
Short and long-term storage near major UK ports and airports. Bonded warehouse options, reefer storage for perishables, and onward distribution arranged.
Storage is often a necessary part of the import and export process rather than a standalone requirement. Goods awaiting customs clearance, cargo arriving ahead of a project start date, or inventory held near a port for regular distribution all require a reliable, accessible storage solution. GoodFreight arranges warehousing near major UK ports and airports so that your cargo moves seamlessly between transit and storage without being passed between multiple providers.
We offer standard warehousing for cleared goods and bonded warehouse options for goods that have not yet completed customs clearance. Bonded storage allows import duties and VAT to be deferred until the goods leave the warehouse, which can significantly improve cash flow for importers handling high volumes. We also provide reefer storage for frozen, chilled, and temperature-sensitive cargo. For clients who need ongoing distribution from a storage location, we coordinate the onward logistics as part of the same service.
How it works
Storage enquiry
Location, volume • Pallets
Tell us your storage requirement
Location, volume in pallets, how long you need storage, and whether customs clearance is required.
Routing confirmed
Transit times and firm quote
Shipment summary
Confirmed and ready to dispatch
We confirm availability and pricing
We identify the right facility near your port or airport and confirm rates, capacity, and access arrangements.
Goods arrive and are received
We coordinate the drop and devan, confirm receipt of your cargo, and notify you when goods are in storage.
Goods in storage
Released 14:32 • Distribution
Release on your instruction
You tell us when and where to release. We arrange onward delivery or distribution and provide full documentation.
GoodFreight at a glance
- Storage near Felixstowe, London Gateway, Southampton, Hull, and Liverpool.
- Storage near Heathrow, Manchester, and East Midlands airports.
- Bonded warehouse: import duties and VAT deferred until goods are released.
- Reefer storage for frozen, chilled, and temperature-sensitive cargo.
- Customs clearance coordinated from the same storage location.
- Onward distribution and delivery arranged as part of the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of warehousing do you offer?
We offer three main types. Standard warehousing holds goods that have completed customs clearance and on which duties have been paid. Goods can be accessed and distributed at any time. Bonded warehousing holds goods that have not yet completed customs clearance, deferring duties and VAT until the goods leave the facility. Reefer storage is temperature-controlled warehousing for perishable and temperature-sensitive goods including frozen seafood, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals.
What is a bonded warehouse and why would I use one?
A bonded warehouse is a customs-approved facility where goods can be stored without completing import customs clearance. Import duties and VAT are deferred until the goods leave the facility. This is beneficial for importers who receive large shipments but distribute in batches. You pay duty only on goods as they are released, rather than on the entire inbound volume at once. Goods can also be re-exported from a bonded warehouse without paying UK import duties at all, which is useful for businesses that use the UK as a consolidation and redistribution hub.
Can you integrate warehousing with your freight services?
Yes. For imports arriving by sea or air, we coordinate the customs clearance and the transfer to the warehouse as part of the same service. You deal with one point of contact for arrival, clearance, storage, and subsequent release or distribution. This eliminates the coordination friction between a freight forwarder and a separate warehousing provider, and ensures that any customs issues are resolved before cargo reaches the warehouse rather than sitting in a queue.
Do you operate your own warehouses?
We work with a network of trusted warehouse partners across the UK, located near major ports and airports. This gives us flexibility to match the right facility to your specific requirement, whether that is a bonded facility near Felixstowe, a reefer facility near a major food distribution hub, or standard storage near an airport for high-value cargo.
How do I get a quote for warehousing?
Use our Get a Quote form and select Storage as the service type. Tell us your cargo type, volume in pallets or CBM, required storage duration, whether customs clearance is needed, and the nearest port or airport. We will confirm availability and pricing. For bonded or reefer requirements, tell us your temperature range or the customs status of the goods.
Need warehousing freight?
Tell us what you are moving. We will confirm routing, timeline, and pricing.