For e-commerce sellers shipping from China, your freight's journey isn't over when the vessel docks at Felixstowe, Southampton, or London Gateway. The final—and most complex—stage is just beginning: the "final mile."
This stage, which relies entirely on UK road haulage, is where hidden costs, port delays, and pallet confusion can wipe out your profit margins.
Understanding how truck shipping (or "haulage") works inside the UK is critical for managing your supply chain. This guide breaks down the complexities of drayage, FTL vs. LTL, and pallet networks to help you build a seamless, end-to-end logistics plan.
The Two-Step Journey of an Importer's UK Shipment
For an international importer, a UK shipment has two distinct trucking phases:
- Drayage (Port Haulage): This is the first truck move. It’s a short-haul trip where a specialized HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) picks up your container directly from the port's quay (dock) and moves it to a nearby warehouse. This is a rapid, essential service to avoid costly quay rent (or demurrage) fees.
- Transloading & Onward Haulage: At the warehouse, your goods are "transloaded" (moved) from the 20ft or 40ft ocean container into a standard 13.6-meter "artic" trailer. This trailer then begins the second truck move to its final destination, like an Amazon FBA centre in Milton Keynes or a 3PL in Manchester.
FTL vs. LTL: Choosing Your Onward Haulage Method
After your goods are transloaded, you must choose between a Full Truck Load (FTL) or Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) service.
Full Truck Load (FTL)
FTL shipping means you rent the entire 13.6m "artic" trailer for your exclusive use. This is the fastest ground option, as the driver travels directly to your destination. Many UK trailers are curtain-siders, allowing for fast and easy loading from the side, which is ideal for palletized goods.
- Best For:
- Large shipments (over 10 pallets).
- High-value or fragile goods.
- Time-sensitive deliveries (like FBA appointments).
LTL (Pallet Network / Groupage)
In the UK, LTL is most often handled by a "pallet network" or "groupage" service. You only pay for the specific pallet spaces you use. Your shipment shares the trailer with goods from other companies, and the truck makes multiple stops at regional hubs.
- Best For:
- Smaller shipments (typically 1-10 pallets).
- E-commerce sellers shipping smaller batches to multiple locations.
- Budget-conscious shipments where speed is not the #1 priority.
| Feature | LTL (Pallet Network) | FTL (Full Truck Load) |
| Best For | Small shipments (1-10 pallets) | Large shipments (10-26 pallets) |
| Cost | Cheaper for small-volume | More cost-effective for large-volume |
| Speed | Slower (multiple hub stops) | Faster (direct-to-destination) |
| Handling | Goods are handled multiple times | Goods are not touched until delivery |
| Risk | Higher risk of damage or loss | Very low risk of damage |
Hidden Costs
Your final haulage invoice is almost never just the base rate. It includes many variables and "accessorial fees" that are crucial to budget for.
Pallet Size: Unlike the US, UK pallet networks base their pricing on two standard pallet "footprints." Using the wrong one can lead to surprise charges. (See preparation section below).
Destination: Shipping to a central warehouse is cheap. Delivering to a remote area (like the Scottish Highlands) will incur surcharges.
Fuel Surcharges (FSC): A variable fee all carriers add to cover fluctuating fuel prices.
Accessorial Fees (The Most Important Part):
- Tail-Lift Service: If your delivery location (or your 3PL) does not have a loading dock, you will need a truck with a "tail-lift" (a liftgate) to lower the pallets. This always costs extra.
- Amazon FBA Appointment: Carriers must schedule a strict delivery appointment with Amazon. This coordination adds a fee.
- Congestion Charges: Delivering into central London (and increasingly other cities) requires paying a Congestion Charge or ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) fee, which is passed on to you.
- Detention: If your team (or the warehouse staff) takes too long to unload the truck (usually > 1 hour), the carrier will charge a hefty "detention" fee for the driver's wasted time.
How to Prepare Your Shipment for a UK Haulage Partner
Proper preparation is the best way to avoid extra fees and damage.
- Packaging (Palletization): This is the most critical step. UK pricing is based on two sizes.
- UK Standard Pallet: 1200mm x 1000mm.
- Euro Pallet: 1200mm x 800mm.
- Do Not Overhang: Goods must not hang over the pallet's edge. An overhang can result in you being charged for two pallet spaces instead of one.
- Secure & Wrap: Use stretch wrap to secure all boxes to the pallet and label each pallet clearly.
- Labeling Requirements: For e-commerce sellers, this is vital. Every box and every pallet must have the correct Amazon FBA labels or other warehouse labels clearly visible.
- Key Documents: The Consignment Note
- For the domestic truck journey, your most important document is the Consignment Note (or Bill of Lading).
- This note acts as the contract between you (the shipper) and the haulage company. It contains all the details: what is being shipped, the pallet count, the origin, and the destination.
Shipping to the US or Canada?
The logistics process, trailer types (53ft vans in the US), and pallet standards are completely different. Read our dedicated guides to learn more:
[US Truck Shipping Guide][Coming Soon: The Importer's Guide to Canadian Truck Shipping]
Don't Let the Final Mile Complicate Your Supply Chain
Managing port drayage, avoiding tail-lift fees, understanding pallet networks, and booking FBA appointments is a full-time job. A mis-sized pallet or a missed London Congestion Charge can halt your business.
This is why a true end-to-end logistics partner is so valuable.
At Linktrans, we manage the entire journey. Our platform integrates everything from warehousing and consolidation in China to the final-mile haulage delivery across the United Kingdom. We provide a seamless, reliable process with one single point of contact, ensuring your goods arrive at their destination efficiently and on-budget.
Ready to simplify your entire UK supply chain? [Contact us for a free consultation today.]
10 Nov, 2025
