Shipping to Asia
Freight & Logistics Solutions Across Asia
Reliable freight services from the UK to Asia, including air and sea transport with full customs and compliance support.
Air & Sea Freight | Customs Clearance | Asia Coverage | Global Logistics
International Freight
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UK to Asia and the Middle East freight
Sea and air freight from the UK to 45 destinations across Asia
Qube Cargo ships from the UK to the Gulf, the Middle East, South Asia, the Far East and Central Asia. We run full and shared containers to ports such as Jebel Ali, Nhava Sheva, Singapore, Shanghai and Busan, and air freight to major hubs when time matters.
Trade rules vary a lot across the region. UK deals mean low or zero duty on UK goods in places like Japan, South Korea and Singapore, while others need certificates, permits or legalised documents. We handle the paperwork at both ends.
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Shipping to Asia
Asia at a glance
Watch out for: some countries need a certificate of origin stamped by a chamber of commerce or embassy, and several are under UK sanctions. Check with us before you ship to Iran, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon or Yemen. *Import tax still applies.
Freight Services to Asia
We provide reliable freight and logistics solutions for businesses shipping goods between the UK and Asia.
From full container loads and groupage to time-critical and specialist cargo, shipments are coordinated across air and sea to ensure efficient and compliant delivery.
Our global network supports both standard and complex movements, including cross-border transport, customs clearance, and final delivery across Asia’s major trade regions.
Freight Solutions for Asia
We provide a range of freight solutions to Asia, tailored to cargo type, urgency, and delivery requirements.
Air Freight to Asia
Fast delivery for urgent or high-value shipments
Sea Freight to Asia
Cost-effective transport for large or non-urgent cargo
Full Container Load (FCL)
Dedicated containers for high-volume shipments
Less Than Container Load (LCL)
Shared container space for smaller consignments
Project & Specialist Cargo
Handling of oversized, hazardous, or complex shipments
Asian Shipping Destinations
Find your country below for typical transit times, import tax and duty. Click through for ports, customs and FAQs.
The Gulf and the Middle East
Sea freight to Jebel Ali, Dammam, Hamad and Sohar in around three to four weeks, with fast air freight to Dubai, Doha and Riyadh. Turkey is reached by road through Europe. Gulf states share a common 5% tariff.
United Arab Emirates18–25 days1–2 days5% VATUsually 5% (free zones can defer)
Saudi Arabia18–28 days1–2 days15% VATUsually 5% (GCC tariff)
Qatar18–25 days1–2 daysNo VATUsually 5% (GCC tariff)
Kuwait22–30 days1–2 daysNo VAT5% on most goods (GCC tariff)
Bahrain20–28 days1–2 days10% VAT5% on most goods (GCC tariff)
Oman18–25 days1–2 days5% VAT5% on most goods (GCC tariff)
Jordan18–25 days1–2 days16% sales tax0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
Israel10–14 days1 day18% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
Turkey5–7 days by road1–2 days20%0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
IraqUK sanctions apply––Call us first
IranUK sanctions apply––Call us first
LebanonUK sanctions apply––Call us first
SyriaUK sanctions apply––Call us first
YemenUK sanctions apply––Call us firstSouth Asia
Container services to Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Chennai, Karachi, Chittagong and Colombo, with road freight on to Nepal and Bhutan. The UK–India trade deal now cuts duty on many UK goods.
India20–28 days1–3 daysIGST, usually 5–28%Cut on many UK goods since July 2026*
Pakistan22–30 days1–3 days18% sales taxDepends on the goods
Bangladesh30–40 days1–3 days15% VAT plus advance taxDepends on the goods
Sri Lanka20–28 days1–2 days18% VATDepends on the goods
Maldives25–35 days1–2 days8% GST (17% for tourism)Depends on the goods
Nepal40–50 days door to door2–4 days13% VATDepends on the goods
Bhutan40–50 days door to door3–5 days5% GSTDepends on the goods
AfghanistanUK sanctions apply––Call us firstEast Asia
Direct sailings to China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan, and air freight to Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo and Taipei. UK deals give low or zero duty on many UK goods in Japan and South Korea.
China30–40 days2–4 days13% VAT on most goodsDepends on the goods
Japan35–45 days1–3 days10% consumption taxReduced or 0% on many UK goods*
South Korea30–40 days1–2 days10% VAT0% on most UK-origin goods*
Taiwan30–40 days1–2 days5% business tax (VAT)Depends on the goods
Mongolia40–55 days door to door3–5 days10% VATDepends on the goods (often 5%)
North KoreaUK sanctions apply––Call us firstSoutheast Asia
Singapore and Port Klang are the main hubs, with services to Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and beyond. The CPTPP trade deal cuts duty on UK goods in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.
Singapore25–30 days1–2 days9% GST0% on almost all goods
Malaysia25–32 days1–2 daysSales tax 5–10%Reduced on many UK goods (CPTPP)*
Thailand28–35 days1–2 days7% VATDepends on the goods
Vietnam30–40 days1–3 days10% VAT (8% on many goods to end 2026)Reduced or 0% on many UK goods*
Philippines30–40 days1–3 days12% VATDepends on the goods
Cambodia30–40 days2–3 days10% VATDepends on the goods
Laos35–45 days door to door2–4 days10% VATDepends on the goods
Brunei30–40 days2–3 daysNo VAT or GSTLow or 0% on many UK goods (CPTPP)*
Bali30–40 days2–3 days12% VAT plus import income taxDepends on the goods
MyanmarUK sanctions apply––Call us firstThe Caucasus and Central Asia
Sea freight via Georgian or Black Sea ports and overland routes, plus air freight to Baku, Yerevan, Almaty and Tashkent. Several countries use the EAEU common tariff.
Armenia8–12 days by road1–3 days20% VATDepends on the goods (EAEU tariff)
Azerbaijan8–12 days by road1–3 days18% VATDepends on the goods
Kazakhstan15–25 days by road2–4 days16% VATDepends on the goods (EAEU tariff)
Uzbekistan18–28 days by road2–4 days12% VATDepends on the goods
Kyrgyzstan18–28 days by road2–4 days12% VATDepends on the goods (EAEU tariff)
Tajikistan20–30 days by road3–5 days14% VATDepends on the goods
Turkmenistan15–25 days by road2–4 days15% VATDepends on the goodsSea times are typical port-to-port times unless marked door to door, and vary by service and season. *UK-origin goods with proof of origin; import tax still applies. Click any country for full details.
Speak to an Asian freight specialist for tailored shipping solutions across air and sea.
UK trade deals that cut duty in Asia
UK trade deals cut duty on UK-origin goods in a growing number of Asian countries. Here is how the rules work across the region.
Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei
UK bilateral deals and the CPTPP: low or 0% duty on many UK-origin goods.
South Korea
UK–Korea trade agreement: 0% duty on most UK-origin goods.
India
UK–India trade agreement: duty cut on many UK goods since July 2026, with more cuts phased in.
Israel, Jordan and Turkey
UK trade agreements: 0% duty on most UK-origin industrial goods.
Gulf states
Common GCC tariff, usually 5% on most goods. No UK deal in force yet.
China and the rest of Asia
No UK deal that cuts import duty, so duty depends on the goods.
Sanctions and restricted countries
Iran, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen have UK sanctions in place. Please call us on 01200 318108 before you plan a shipment.
Import VAT or sales tax is charged in almost every country, whatever the duty rate.
Customs & Shipping to Asia
Shipping to Asia requires accurate customs documentation and compliance with international regulations.
Key requirements typically include commercial invoices, commodity codes, and correct declaration of goods. Errors or missing information can lead to delays, additional charges, or rejected shipments.
We manage customs processes as part of the overall shipment, ensuring goods move efficiently and compliantly across borders.
Why businesses choose Qube Cargo for shipping to Asia
- Global freight network
- Air and sea expertise
- Customs handled end-to-end
- Reliable transit and delivery
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping to Asia
Shipping to Asia typically requires a commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate commodity codes. Depending on the destination and cargo type, additional documentation may be required. We manage documentation as part of the shipment to ensure compliance and avoid delays.
Transit times vary depending on the destination and transport method. Air freight is the fastest option for urgent shipments, while sea freight offers a more cost-effective solution with longer transit times. We advise on the best option based on your timeline and requirements.
We provide air freight and sea freight solutions to Asia, including full container loads (FCL), less than container loads (LCL), and specialist cargo services. Each solution is tailored to cargo type, urgency, and budget.
Yes, we manage customs processes as part of the shipment, ensuring all documentation is accurate and compliant with local regulations. This helps goods move efficiently through customs without unnecessary delays.
Yes, we handle a wide range of specialist shipments, including dangerous goods, temperature-controlled cargo, oversized freight, and time-critical deliveries. All shipments are managed in line with relevant regulations and safety requirements.
Often less than you might think. UK trade deals cut duty on UK-origin goods in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Israel, Jordan and Turkey. Gulf states mostly charge 5%. Elsewhere, duty depends on the goods, and import VAT or GST usually applies.
Iran, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen are under UK sanctions. Some goods are banned and others may need a licence, so please call us on 01200 318108 before you plan a shipment.