Why is the shipping cost from China to the UK consistently high?

1, Transportation distance and cost
Firstly, the geographical distance between China and the UK is relatively long, which leads to higher transportation costs. The transportation of goods from China to the UK requires crossing thousands of kilometers of land and waters such as the Atlantic, which undoubtedly increases the difficulty and cost of transportation. Different transportation methods have different impacts on this issue. Air transportation is fast but expensive, while sea transportation is relatively low but takes longer. Therefore, transportation distance is a fundamental reason for high shipping costs.
2, Selection of transportation methods
Secondly, the choice of transportation method is directly related to the cost of transportation. Air transportation is usually considered the fastest way, but due to its high cost, freight rates have significantly increased. On the contrary, sea freight costs are lower, but the transportation cycle is relatively longer. Merchants need to balance transportation speed and cost when choosing transportation methods, which is also an important factor leading to high or low shipping costs.
3, International Trade Policy and Tariffs
International trade policies and tariffs also have a certain impact on the level of freight charges between China and the UK. The differences in trade policies and tariff settings between different countries can affect the prices of goods, indirectly affecting the level of shipping costs. Due to the different trade systems between China and the UK, related policies and tariff issues have also become one aspect that leads to high shipping costs.
4, Additional costs during transportation
During transportation, in addition to basic transportation costs, there are also some additional expenses, such as loading and unloading fees, insurance fees, etc. These costs, although relatively small, account for a certain proportion of the overall shipping cost. Merchants need to consider the impact of these additional fees when calculating and bearing shipping costs.
5, Fluctuations in fuel prices
The fluctuation of fuel prices is also a factor affecting shipping costs. The operation of cargo ships and aircraft relies heavily on fuel, and fluctuations in fuel prices directly affect transportation costs. When the international oil market changes, freight rates may also be affected, leading to instability in freight rates.
6, Adjustment of global supply chain
The adjustment of the global supply chain may also affect the level of shipping costs between China and the UK. In the turbulence of international trade relations, some countries may adjust their supply chains and choose more reliable or economically efficient trading partners. This adjustment may lead to fluctuations in freight rates between China and the UK, keeping them at a relatively high level.
7, Logistics infrastructure and service level
Finally, logistics infrastructure and service levels are also key factors affecting freight rates. Some countries have more advanced and efficient logistics systems that can provide better transportation services, thereby reducing freight costs. On the contrary, the logistics systems of some countries may be relatively lagging, leading to low transportation efficiency and thus increasing freight costs.