Sea
Ocean Freight Forwarding
FCL and LCL shipping for one-off consignments or regular programmes, with booking, documentation and port handling at Felixstowe and beyond.
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UK Freight Forwarder & 3PL Since the 1990s
International Freight Forwarding, Customs & UK Warehousing — One Global Logistics Partner
Hemisphere Freight Services (HFS) moves, clears, stores and delivers cargo for manufacturers, brands and project contractors trading with the UK and the rest of the world. From ocean, air and road freight to customs compliance, bonded storage and e-commerce fulfilment, every stage of your supply chain is managed by one accountable team — with over three decades of hands-on experience.
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Years delivering global and third-party logistics
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UK operating sites at key ports and airports
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Years with long-standing clients such as BiGDUG
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Ahead of the UK's 2030 carbon neutrality target
Trusted by manufacturers, retailers and global brands
Our Services
Freight, Customs & Warehousing Services Under One Roof
Combine any service below into a single door-to-door solution. One contract, one point of contact and full visibility from factory floor to final customer.
Air
Air Freight Forwarding
One of the highest-ranked independent IATA agents, with a London Heathrow base for express, consolidated and charter air freight worldwide.
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Road
Road Freight & Haulage
Container haulage from UK ports plus full and part loads across the UK and Europe, coordinated with your sea and air legs.
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Compliance
Customs Clearance
In-house import and export declarations, commodity code advice, duty and VAT planning and support for controlled goods across every mode.
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Projects
Project Logistics
End-to-end planning for energy, infrastructure and engineering projects, from multi-supplier consolidation to on-site delivery schedules.
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Heavy lift
Abnormal Loads & Heavy Haulage
Out-of-gauge and heavy cargo moved safely with route surveys, permits, escorts and specialist trailers.
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Strategy
Supply Chain Management
Purchase-order management, supplier coordination and data-led reviews that lower landed cost and improve reliability.
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Storage
Warehousing Services
Secure port-centric long- and short-term storage with value-added services, minimising haulage between port and warehouse.
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E-commerce
3PL Fulfilment Warehousing
Pick, pack and dispatch for B2B and B2C orders, with stock visibility and next-day UK delivery options.
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Duty suspension
Bonded Warehousing
Store imported goods with duty and VAT suspended until release, or re-export without paying UK import duty.
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Protection
Export Packing & Case Making
Bespoke crates, ISPM 15-compliant timber packing and engineering support at the Port of Ipswich.
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Sectors
Your Industry
Sector specialists for automotive, dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, energy and fine art.
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About Hemisphere
Full-Service Global Logistics From Under One Roof
For over three decades, Hemisphere has provided global and third-party logistics for every imaginable type of cargo — from flat-pack furniture and jewellery to rail track assemblies and power infrastructure. Our people combine forwarding, customs, warehousing and distribution expertise, so problems are solved inside one business rather than passed between subcontractors.
- Single point of contact who understands your products, suppliers and customers.
- Owned UK infrastructure that reduces handling, delays and cost between port and warehouse.
- Sustainable operations including solar-powered warehouses and carbon reporting on shipments.
How It Works
Your Shipment, Managed in Five Clear Stages
A transparent workflow designed for overseas buyers and suppliers who need predictable lead times and compliant documentation.
- 01
Shipment brief
Share your commodity, volumes, Incoterms, origin, destination and ready date. We confirm requirements such as hazardous classification or temperature control.
- 02
Route & mode planning
We compare sea, air, road and multimodal options against your deadline and landed-cost targets, then secure carrier space.
- 03
Documentation & compliance
Commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin and customs declarations are checked before cargo moves, avoiding port delays.
- 04
Movement & visibility
Your dedicated team tracks milestones and proactively updates you on schedule changes, disruptions and arrival times.
- 05
Delivery, storage or fulfilment
Goods are delivered direct, held in bond, stored in our UK warehouses or fulfilled to end customers — whichever suits your sales plan.
Buyer's Guide
Choosing the Right Freight Mode for UK Imports and Exports
Use this overview to shortlist options before speaking with our team. Every route is then refined to your cargo, budget and deadline.
| Mode | Best suited to | Indicative transit (Asia–UK) | Key consideration | Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean FCL | Regular or high-volume cargo filling a 20ft or 40ft container | 30–45 days | Lowest cost per unit at volume; sealed container reduces handling | Ocean freight |
| Ocean LCL | Smaller or mixed shipments below a full container | 35–50 days | Pay only for space used; allow time for consolidation and devanning | Ocean freight |
| Air freight | Urgent, high-value or perishable goods; production-critical spares | 2–7 days | Fastest option; charged on chargeable (volumetric) weight | Air freight |
| Road freight | UK distribution and UK–Europe trade, full or part loads | 1–5 days (UK/EU) | Flexible door-to-door; plan customs for UK–EU border crossings | Road haulage |
| Project & abnormal | Out-of-gauge, heavy-lift and multi-supplier project cargo | Planned per project | Early engagement is essential for surveys, permits and escorts | Project logistics |
Transit times are indicative port-to-port or airport-to-airport ranges and vary with carrier schedules, port congestion and global events such as Red Sea and Middle East routing changes.
Agree Incoterms early
Whether you trade EXW, FOB, CIF or DDP determines who books freight, who clears customs and who pays UK duty. We can advise before you sign the purchase order.
Check commodity codes
Correct commodity codes determine duty rates and whether preferential origin under UK trade agreements — such as the UK–India deal — can reduce your costs.
Plan storage before arrival
Bonded or port-centric storage avoids demurrage, cuts trucking and lets you release stock as orders arrive rather than all at once.
Sector Expertise
Logistics Built Around Your Industry
Knowing exactly what your business does, and how you do it, lets us anticipate regulatory, handling and timing requirements before they become problems.
Automotive
Vehicle shipping, parts supply and EV movements, including high-value and prototype cars.
Dangerous Goods
Classified hazardous cargo packed, labelled and documented for sea, air and road.
E-commerce & Retail
Inbound container management, fulfilment and next-day UK delivery for growing brands.
Energy & Renewables
Project cargo, abnormal loads and site deliveries for power and infrastructure projects.
Food, Drink & FMCG
BRCGS AA+ accredited storage and distribution for consumer goods.
Pharmaceuticals
Compliant transport for regulated and time-sensitive healthcare products.
Antiques & Fine Art
Bespoke crating and careful handling for valuable and irreplaceable items.
Engineering & Manufacturing
Machinery export packing, supplier consolidation and production-critical air freight.
Proven Experience
View all case studies Case Studies From Real Supply Chains
Streamlining international logistics to support growth
Hemisphere helped Toolport scale by consolidating international freight and providing a next-day UK delivery service.
T-pylon collection project
Delivering the infrastructure for the full 57-kilometre pylon route, coordinated to strict construction milestones.
Standards and efficiencies that drive a brand forward
Fulfilment processes built to protect brand experience while improving order accuracy and speed.
A dedicated air freight service
A tailored air programme giving a growing retailer reliable, time-definite stock replenishment.
Preparing and shipping a large consignment
Specialist packing and planning to export oversized industrial printing equipment safely.
Supplying Mexico City Metro with new rail track
Coordinating the international shipment of a new rail track assembly for one of the world's busiest metro systems.
Client Feedback
Long-Term Partnerships, Measured in Years
“Hemisphere understand our business, and that's what sets them apart from other companies. When challenges arise, they work with us to find solutions that are as cost-effective as possible. The fact that we have worked with Hemisphere for over 12 years is testament to how much we value their relationship and expertise.”
“Attention to detail from initial planning right through to the final execution is what makes Hemisphere different. For both large and small projects, the reliability in finding solutions without leaving anything to chance has been consistent over the last 10 years.”
“Hemisphere have always delivered a reliable, friendly and honest service. I get regular updates on my shipments, their rates are competitive, and I know the team is only ever a phone call or email away. It's far easier having everything covered by one agent.”
Sustainability in Motion
A Greener Supply Chain for Your Business
Carbon neutral business
Operating across borders and continents, we invest in sustainable processes throughout our operations. Hemisphere became carbon neutral five years ahead of the UK's 2030 target and remains firmly on track for Net Zero by 2050 — helping customers meet their own Scope 3 reporting and ESG commitments.
Read our ESG commitments'Green Logistics' practices
Solar panels on our warehouse roofs and electric handling equipment across our sites.
Carbon reporting on shipments
Visibility on emissions to support informed decisions on carbon initiatives.
Carbon efficiency recommendations
Tailored options from our experts to reduce your logistics carbon footprint.
'Green' business reviews
Performance analysis and continuous improvement discussions with customers.
Carbon-optimised waste management
Including more environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
Global Reach
Strategic UK Gateways, Worldwide Network
Our facilities sit beside the UK's busiest container port, a major general cargo port and the country's largest air cargo hub — so your freight spends less time in transit and more time in stock.
Ipswich, Suffolk
Head office, warehousing and customs team serving global import and export programmes.
+44 (0)1473 550800
Port One, Suffolk
Port-centric logistics park close to Felixstowe for container devanning and storage.
+44 (0)1473 935630
Westbank, Suffolk
Engineering and export packing operations at ABP's Port of Ipswich.
+44 (0)1473 550800
Felixstowe
Direct access to the UK's largest container port for FCL and LCL ocean freight.
+44 (0)1473 550800
London Heathrow
IATA air freight operations for express, consolidated and charter cargo.
+44 (0)1753 257964
Liverpool
North-west gateway for transatlantic trade and northern UK distribution.
+44 (0)1695 768759
Accreditations
See all awards & accreditations Independently Audited Standards You Can Rely On
Quality
ISO 9001:2015
Certified quality management system covering our forwarding, customs and warehousing processes, reviewed through continuing external audits.
Storage & Distribution
BRCGS AA+
The highest grade available for unannounced audits under the BRCGS Storage & Distribution standard — trusted by food, drink and consumer goods brands.
Air Cargo
IATA Accredited Agent
One of the highest-ranked independent IATA agents in the UK, with secure air cargo handling at London Heathrow.
FAQ
Questions From Overseas Buyers and Suppliers
Clear answers to the questions international importers and exporters ask us most often.
Speak to a specialistCan Hemisphere move my goods from Asia, the Americas or the Middle East into the UK?
Yes. Hemisphere manages ocean, air and road freight from origin to final UK or European destination, using its global agent network and its own UK facilities at Felixstowe, the Port of Ipswich, London Heathrow and Liverpool. One team coordinates collection, export formalities, main-leg transport, UK customs clearance, storage and delivery.
Should I ship FCL or LCL?
Full Container Load (FCL) is usually more cost-efficient once your cargo fills roughly 13 to 15 cubic metres or more, and it reduces handling. Less than Container Load (LCL) suits smaller or irregular volumes, as you only pay for the space you use. Hemisphere reviews your volumes, weight, commodity and delivery deadline before recommending the most suitable option.
Do you handle UK customs clearance for overseas suppliers and buyers?
Yes. Hemisphere's in-house customs team prepares and submits import and export declarations, advises on commodity codes, EORI requirements, duty and VAT, preferential origin under UK trade agreements, and documentation for controlled or regulated goods.
How can a bonded warehouse help my cash flow?
In a bonded warehouse, import duty and VAT are suspended until goods are released into free circulation in the UK. You can store goods, release them in smaller batches as demand requires, or re-export them without paying UK import duty, which improves cash flow for high-value or slow-moving stock.
Can you ship oversized, heavy or dangerous goods?
Yes. Hemisphere's project logistics and abnormal loads teams plan out-of-gauge and heavy-lift movements, including route surveys, permits and escorts, while trained staff handle the classification, packing and documentation required for dangerous goods by sea, air and road.
What information do you need to plan my shipment?
To plan your shipment accurately, share the commodity description and commodity code if known, the number of packages, weights and dimensions, origin and destination addresses, the Incoterms agreed with your trading partner, the cargo ready date and any special requirements such as temperature control, hazardous classification or insurance.
Ready to Simplify Your Global Supply Chain?
Talk to an experienced Hemisphere specialist about your next shipment, warehousing requirement or long-term logistics programme.