Chittagong → Felixstowe / Southampton / London Gateway
24–28 days sea · 5–7 days air (Heathrow)
Incoterms
FOB, CIF, DAP, DDP
MOQ from 50 pcs
Currency & Language
GBP · en-GB
Tier 1 priority market
Overview
Working with United Kingdom brands
The UK is our second-oldest market. We've shipped weekly into Felixstowe and Southampton since well before Brexit, so the shift to EORI numbers, GB import declarations and UKCA marking was something we adapted to alongside our clients — not something they had to teach us.
Post-Brexit customs — what's actually changed
Since 2021 UK imports need a GB EORI number, a full commercial invoice with commodity codes (leather bags sit at 4202 21 00 or 4202 22 90 depending on outer material), and a certificate of origin if you're claiming GSP or the UK–Bangladesh trade preference. Our forwarder handles the entry through CHIEF/CDS and settles VAT under the postponed VAT accounting scheme, so you don't front the twenty percent — it appears on your next VAT return instead. First-time importers usually don't know this exists; it saves real cash flow.
Felixstowe congestion and how we plan around it
Felixstowe is Europe's busiest container port and it stalls two or three times a year — strikes, weather, or Brexit-related capacity crunches. We watch the situation weekly and re-route through Southampton or London Gateway when Felixstowe backs up beyond a week. You'll know before your goods leave Chittagong which port they're landing at, and the forwarder is briefed to reroute at destination if we need to.
Small UK brands — what a first order looks like
Most UK first orders are two or three styles at fifty to one hundred pieces each — the founder is testing an Instagram audience or a Selfridges buyer meeting. We photograph the sample against a plain wall (Selfridges buyers hate lifestyle photos on sample day), quote in GBP if you ask, and ship samples DHL Express to a home address for around thirty pounds. If the bulk order goes ahead within sixty days, we credit the sample fee against the invoice.
Bangladesh sourcing — why UK brands trust it
Bangladesh has been supplying UK high-street leather for over two decades. The infrastructure — LWG-audited tanneries in Savar, trained artisans in Chittagong, Chittagong Port itself — is mature. UK buyers we've worked with mention two things: the price gap versus Italy and Portugal is real (usually 35–55% lower for comparable full-grain quality), and the English-language merchandising culture is stronger than most other South Asian countries.
Most requested
Popular products in United Kingdom
Leather handbags & totes
Private-label · MOQ 50
Wallets & purses
Private-label · MOQ 50
Belts
Private-label · MOQ 50
Backpacks
Private-label · MOQ 50
Leather jackets
Private-label · MOQ 50
Small leather goods
Private-label · MOQ 50
FAQ
United Kingdom buyers ask
How does postponed VAT accounting work for my shipment?
Our forwarder ticks the PVA box on the customs entry. Instead of paying 20% import VAT at the port, it goes on your next VAT return as both an input and output — net zero for cash flow. You just need your GB EORI linked to your VAT number.
Can you produce for a brand that sells into John Lewis or Selfridges?
Yes, and we've done Christmas-window programs for department-store concessions before. The buyers will ask for a factory audit pack (LWG certificate, social compliance, wage records) — we have this ready to send.
What's the smallest UK order you'll take?
Fifty pieces per style, per colour. If you're trying to test three colourways of one style, that's 150 pieces total — a common Shopify starter order for us.
Ready to produce your next leather collection in United Kingdom?
Send us your tech pack, reference image or a short brief. We reply within 24 hours with pricing, lead time and a sample plan.