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First Base FreightFreight forwarding
Container ships moored at a busy port terminal at dusk, cranes silhouetted against the sky

Ship anywhere, from any country to any country.

A UK-based shipping agent arranging global imports and exports — FCL, LCL and air freight on any lane, from booking to final-mile delivery.

Already have a rate? Book a shipment. Need a price first? Request a quotation.

120+

Ports served worldwide

15+

Years in freight forwarding

50k+

Shipments moved per year

98%

On-time performance

Import & export, worldwide

Can you ship from any country to any country?

A UK-based shipping agent arranging FCL, LCL and air freight worldwide — import or export, from any origin to any destination. Wherever your cargo starts, and wherever it needs to be, the lane runs the same way for us.

Import

China → United Kingdom · United States → Germany

Bring cargo in from any supplier market, with the origin booking, export clearance and entry at your end handled together.

Export

United Kingdom → Australia · Germany → United States

Send cargo out to any market, with export documentation here and a destination agent waiting at the other end.

Cross-trade

China → United States · India → Canada

Move cargo between two countries that are not ours, arranged end to end through our overseas partner network.

Pick your freight mode and tell us both ends of the route — origin country and city, destination country and city.

Import & export lanes

Countries we ship to and from

Indicative rates and transit times for our busiest lanes. Every country works in both directions — import from it, export to it, or move cargo between it and a third country.

View all countries
Asia

China

Import & export · Shanghai

FCL from

£295.00

per 20ft container

30+ days

Americas

United States

Import & export · Los Angeles

LCL from

£143.67

per cubic metre

11+ days

Europe

Netherlands

Import & export · Rotterdam

FCL from

£647.00

per 40ft container

3+ days

Europe

Germany

Import & export · Hamburg

FCL from

£758.00

per 20ft container

4+ days

Middle East

United Arab Emirates

Import & export · Jebel Ali

LCL from

£263.00

per cubic metre

15+ days

Asia

Singapore

Import & export · Singapore

FCL from

£295.00

per 20ft container

26+ days

Oceania

Australia

Import & export · Sydney

FCL from

£1,166.54

per 20ft container

30+ days

Asia

India

Import & export · Nhava Sheva (JNPT)

FCL from

£895.00

per 20ft container

20+ days

How it works

How does booking an international shipment work?

Four steps, from quote to delivered and customs-cleared — the same process whether you are importing, exporting, or shipping between two other countries.

1. Tell us the route

Origin and destination country and city, plus your cargo details — import or export.

2. Book & document

We confirm the booking and prepare your shipping documents and customs paperwork.

3. We move the cargo

Your shipment travels by sea or air, and we keep you updated at every milestone.

4. Delivered & cleared

Customs cleared and delivered — door-to-door or to your nominated port.

Why choose us

Why use a UK-based freight forwarder?

Any origin, any destination

Import, export, or cross-trade between two countries that are not ours — we arrange the lane wherever your cargo starts and ends.

Competitive rates

Volume contracts with major carriers mean sharper rates without compromising service.

Licensed customs brokerage

In-house brokers handle classification, duties and entry filing on every shipment.

Dedicated account manager

One point of contact who knows your cargo, your lanes and your deadlines.

A cargo ship transporting containers across open sea

Frequently asked questions

Do you only ship from the UK?

No. We are a UK-based shipping agent, but the network is global — we arrange FCL, LCL and air freight from any country to any country. That covers imports into the UK, exports out of it, and cross-trade shipments between two countries where neither end is the UK, such as China to the United States or India to Canada.

Can you handle both imports and exports?

Yes, both are core services. Tell us the origin country and city and the destination country and city on the quote form, and we work out the direction from the route — import, export or cross-trade — and handle the booking, documentation and customs formalities at both ends.

What's the difference between FCL and LCL?

FCL (Full Container Load) gives you exclusive use of an entire container, which is usually better value once your cargo fills roughly 15 cubic metres. LCL (Less than Container Load) shares a container with other shippers' goods and charges only for the space you use, priced per cubic metre or per 1,000kg, whichever is greater. You do not need to work the volume out yourself — enter your carton sizes on the quote form and we calculate it.

How long does shipping take?

Sea freight transit varies by route — typically 3–7 days between nearby European ports and 25–40 days on Asia-Pacific and Australian lanes. Air freight is much faster, usually 1–4 days airport-to-airport. Every country page lists indicative transit times per port; transit for your exact origin and destination is confirmed at quote stage.

Do you handle customs clearance?

Yes — we're a licensed customs brokerage. We handle HS code classification, duty and tax calculation, import/export documentation, and entry filing at both origin and destination.

Should I add cargo insurance?

We strongly recommend it. Ocean and air carrier liability is limited by international convention and rarely covers the full value of your goods. Our cargo insurance covers the declared value of your shipment for a small percentage-based premium — add it as an option on the quote form.

How much does it cost to ship a container?

A container is priced as a flat rate per box for your lane, plus terminal handling charges at both ends, a documentation fee and a bunker/currency adjustment factor. The ocean rate alone is rarely the whole cost, so we quote an all-in landed figure rather than a port-to-port teaser you would have to add to later. Rates shown on this site are indicative estimates; a firm figure comes from a quote.

What documents do I need to ship internationally?

Every shipment needs a commercial invoice, a packing list and a transport document — a bill of lading for sea freight or an air waybill for air. Beyond that it depends on the goods and the lane: a certificate of origin, an export licence, fumigation or phytosanitary certificates, or dangerous-goods declarations may apply. We tell you which apply to your shipment before booking rather than after.

A large cargo ship loaded with containers sailing under a vibrant sunset sky

Ready to ship? Tell us the route and we will quote it.

Any country to any country, import or export — send us the origin, destination and cargo details and we'll come back with a competitive rate within one business day.

Any country to any country — import, export, or cross-trade where neither end is the UK. Cities and cargo details next.

Or open the full quote form
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