Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to United Kingdom
Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to <a href="/shipping-to/glasgow-united-kingdom/">Glasgow</a> and <a href="/shipping-to/southampton-united-kingdom/">Southampton</a>. The rate starts at USD 3 per cubic foot to Southampton, and the carrier estimates 15–31 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.
Moving to the UK. Household goods can be imported free of duty and VAT under Transfer of Residence relief. You must apply online to HMRC with form ToR01 before the goods arrive and give the ToR reference number to the carrier; without it the shipment is held and taxed. Goods must have been owned and used for at least six months, and you must have lived outside the UK for at least twelve months.
Commercial cargo needs a UK importer with a GB EORI number.
Commercial cargo rates to United Kingdom
| Destination | From Toronto | From Montreal | From Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | USD 3 / cu ft 18 days · min. USD 370.96 | USD 3 / cu ft 15 days · min. USD 370.96 | USD 5 / cu ft 29 days · min. USD 441.60 |
| Glasgow | USD 6 / cu ft 21 days · min. USD 476.92 | USD 6 / cu ft 21 days · min. USD 476.92 | USD 9 / cu ft 31 days · min. USD 582.88 |
Example: a small commercial shipment from Toronto to Southampton
- A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 370.96
- One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 455.73
- Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 646.46
The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in United Kingdom.
Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to Southampton
- From Toronto: USD 455.73, about 18 days
- From Montreal: USD 455.73, about 15 days
- From Vancouver: USD 582.88, about 29 days
Toronto is the least expensive gateway to Southampton, Montreal the fastest: 3 days quicker for USD 0.00 more. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.
One pallet to different cities in United Kingdom
- Southampton: USD 455.73 from Toronto, about 18 days
- Glasgow: USD 646.46 from Toronto, about 21 days
The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 190.73.
Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 370.96 to Southampton, against USD 370.96 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.
Documents for commercial cargo
- Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in United Kingdom classify the goods.
- Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
- Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.
Pallets and crates
Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in United Kingdom. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.
Carrier conditions for United Kingdom
- Scotland: Personal Effects Inq. for Rates/ToR App. Req'd
- Scotland: Custom Clearance In London
- Scotland: Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
- Scotland: Edinburgh Door Service Only
- Terminal Service Not Available. Direct
- Delivery To Consignee From London CFS.
- Consignee EROI# is required
- Personal Effects must complete application using Transfer of residence to the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
How to book
Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to United Kingdom.
Shipping to United Kingdom by service
- All shipping to United Kingdom: rates and destinations
- Personal effects shipping to United Kingdom from Canada
By city: Glasgow, Southampton.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to ship a pallet to United Kingdom?
One pallet of 120 × 100 × 150 cm weighing 350 kg from Toronto to Southampton costs about USD 455.73 including all A1 fees. Destination charges, duties and taxes are confirmed separately.
Which documents does a commercial shipment to United Kingdom need?
A commercial invoice and a packing list, plus anything the carrier conditions for United Kingdom require. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
Does A1 pick up or palletize the cargo?
No. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Rates valid October 1–31, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.