Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United Kingdom to Spain

There is a strong trade relationship between the United Kingdom and Spain. The UK exports over £13.4 billion worth of goods to Spain in a year, making it the UK's 8th largest export market. The top exports from the UK to Spain include machinery, vehicles, mineral fuels and oils, pharmaceuticals, and optical and medical equipment.

If you are considering importing to Spain from the U.K., here's everything you need to know about ocean and air shipping between these countries.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United Kingdom to Spain?

There are a few options available for shipping freight from the United Kingdom to Spain. Depending on the size and weight of your shipment, you may be able to send it via ocean or air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United Kingdom to Spain

If you have a large or heavy shipment, ocean freight shipping may be the best option. Ocean freight shipping is typically less expensive than air freight, but it can take longer for your shipment to reach its destination. There are two modes of container shipping within ocean freight. 

LCL shipping is one option that can be used for smaller shipments. LCL shipping involves consolidating multiple small shipments into one larger shipment in order to fill up a container. This can save on shipping costs and make the process more efficient.

FCL shipping is a type of ocean freight transportation that involves shipping an entire container of goods. This method is often used for large shipments or when time is of the essence. FCL shipping typically offers a number of advantages over other methods, such as Less-Than-Container Load (LCL) shipping. such as faster transit times and improved security.

Air Freight from the United Kingdom to Spain

If you need to get your shipment to Spain quickly, air freight shipping may be a better option. Air freight shipping is typically more expensive than ocean freight, but it is faster.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From the United Kingdom to Spain?

If you need to ship cargo from the UK to Spain, there are a few different options available. The cost of shipping largely depends on the type and size of your shipment, as well as the method of transport you choose.

Other factors that may come into the computation include:

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

For an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the UK to Spain:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United Kingdom to Spain?

The transit time for goods shipped from the United Kingdom to Spain depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United Kingdom to Spain?

It takes an average of 15 to 50 days to ship cargo from the United Kingdom to Spain by ocean freight. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from the United Kingdom to Spain?

Air freight shipping times will vary depending on the airline and airport, but the average transit time is around 2-8 days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in the United Kingdom and Spain

When shipping cargo from the United Kingdom to Spain, there are a few key documents that you need to prepare for customs clearance.

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

For a list of documents required for customs clearance, check out our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight shipping is one of the most common methods of transporting goods by sea. It is a cost-effective and reliable means of transport, making it an ideal choice for many companies and individuals who want to ship smaller items or large quantities of cargo between the United Kingdom and Spain.

However, there are some disadvantages to ocean freight shipping as well. One main disadvantage is that longer transit times are typically associated with this method of shipment. This long transit time can also result in higher costs due to the need for additional insurance coverage and storage fees if your cargo takes longer than expected to arrive at its destination.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL freight shipping is ideal for you if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL freight shipping is better for you if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

Air freight is faster than any other transportation method. This means that your customers will get their products much sooner when you ship by air instead of ground or sea. 

However, there are also some disadvantages that should be considered before choosing to ship goods by air freight. The first is that the cost can be quite high compared to other transport methods such as ground or sea freight. Furthermore, if your shipment consists of heavy items or lots of them, the cost may actually be greater than with slower methods.

Also, air freight shipments are usually not very flexible as they must be sent via an airport. This means you may have to wait several weeks or months until the best flight route becomes available.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United Kingdom

Port of Felixstowe

Located on England's eastern coast, this port handles approximately 30% of all sea container traffic coming into or going out from Britain. It also ranks third in terms of volumes handled at European container terminals. 

The port has received a number of major investments over recent years to increase its capacity and efficiency, including an investment worth £150 million for new quayside cranes that can handle larger vessels carrying up to 18,000 containers.

Port of Southampton

This port is located on England's southern coast and is one of the busiest container ports in Europe. It handles over 3 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) a year and is currently undergoing a £500 million expansion to increase its capacity to handle even more traffic in the future. The expansion will include new deep-water berths that can accommodate the world's largest container vessels.

Port of London Gateway

This relatively new port (it opened in 2013) is located on the River Thames, just east of London. It is designed specifically for handling large container ships and can already accommodate vessels carrying up to 18,000 TEUs. The port is expected to see significant growth in the coming years as it takes advantage of its proximity to London's vast consumer market.

Cargo ports of arrival in Spain

Port of Barcelona

The Port of Barcelona is located in the city of Barcelona, within the autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain. It is also known as the Port of Barcelona-Mataró. The port covers an area of 3.21 square kilometers and has a depth of up to 15 meters. It is currently the busiest port on the Mediterranean Sea and the sixth busiest port in Europe.

Port of Valencia

The Port of Valencia is one of the largest in Spain and ranks among the top ten ports in Europe. It serves as a hub port between Northern Europe, Asia, and North Africa, making it an important gateway for international trade. The port itself lies along a 2-mile stretch of coastline, with deep water and sheltered berths that make it ideal for many types of vessels.

Port of Algeciras

The Port of Algeciras is a Spanish port on the Strait of Gibraltar. The port specializes in containers and Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) traffic. In total, it has nine docks, eight of which are used for shipping containers (the ninth dock is used as a terminal for cruise ships). It also features two ferries that operate between Tarifa and Tangier in Morocco.

Air Freight from the United Kingdom to Spain: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the United Kingdom

Inverness Airport

The Inverness Airport is the primary airport serving Inverness and the Highlands of Scotland. It is located just over 10 miles (16 km) from the city center, in the parish of Dalneigh. The airport is owned and operated by HIAL (Highland and Island Airports Limited).

The airport has a single runway (08/26), which is 2,286 meters (7,500 ft) long. It can handle aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 747-400. There are two main passenger terminals: Terminal 1 handles domestic flights within the UK, while Terminal 2 handles international flights. The airport also has a cargo terminal that handles freight for both local businesses and international airlines.

Aberdeen Airport

The Aberdeen Airport is a regional airport located in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. The airport is situated approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of the city center. It is the busiest airport in the northeast of Scotland and serves as a hub for Flybe, Loganair, and Eastern Airways.

The airport offers a wide range of cargo services, including airfreight, courier services, and express freight. It also has a dedicated on-site animal quarantine facility.

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport is the busiest airport in Scotland, handling over 13 million passengers a year. The airport is located just outside the city center and offers a wide range of cargo services, including freight forwarding, warehousing, and logistics.

As the busiest airport in Scotland, Edinburgh Airport handles a large amount of air cargo each year. The airport offers a wide range of services to help businesses ship their products around the world.

Airports of arrival in Spain 

Barcelona-El Prat Airport

The Barcelona-El Prat Airport is the largest cargo airport in Spain and the third-largest in Europe. It is located 12 kilometers southwest of the city center of Barcelona. The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are connected by a free shuttle bus service. Barcelona-El Prat Airport handles a total of 2.1 million tonnes of cargo a year, making it one of the busiest airports in Europe for cargo traffic.

Madrid-Barajas Airport

The Madrid-Barajas Airport is the primary international airport serving Madrid, Spain. It is located just outside the city limits, in the municipality of Collado Villalba. As of 2019, it was the busiest airport in Spain by passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

The airport cargo services are an important part of the airport's operations. They handle a variety of goods, including perishables, valuables, and dangerous goods. The cargo services use state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to ensure that all shipments are handled safely and efficiently.

Granada-Jaen Airport

The Granada-Jaen Airport is a small airport serving the city of Granada in southern Spain. It offers both domestic and international flights to destinations around Europe, as well as cargo services.