Ukrainian manufacturers are increasingly aiming to work not only through distributors but also directly with end consumers abroad. This opens up new opportunities — but also requires much more detailed logistical planning.

We offer a practical guide on how to calculate the delivery of a single furniture set (for example, a kitchen) from Ukraine to London, including installation at the client’s apartment.

 

What’s Included in Last-Mile Logistics When Exporting Furniture?

• Export customs clearance in Ukraine
• International transportation — full or partial truckload:
  • FTL (Full Truck Load) — the entire truck is filled with goods from one sender
  • LTL (Less Than Truck Load) — combined shipment, where your pallet is delivered with other cargo (cheaper, but may take longer)
• Import customs clearance in the UK
• VAT payment (20% of product value)
• Door-to-door delivery (with tail-lift van)
• Coordination with the client regarding delivery time
• Unloading, installation, and packaging removal

 

About the Shipment

This example uses real parameters of a kitchen set optimized for export. It included:

• 2 joint Euro pallets
• Dimensions: 110 cm (W) × 240 cm (L) × 120 cm (H)
• Approx. weight: up to 300 kg
• Contents: semi-assembled furniture modules, ready for one-day installation
• Packaging: wrapped in film with unpacking stage labels
• Customs value: €5,000

This type of shipment is suitable even for complex city zones (like central London), provided that access, parking, and tail-lift van needs are taken into account.

 

Estimated Delivery Costs for a Large Shipment: Minimum and Maximum Scenarios

When a Backup Route via Poland is Useful

In international delivery, it’s important to have an alternative plan in case of unforeseen circumstances. One such option is transshipment at a warehouse in Poland (e.g., in Lublin).

This involves:

• Delivery from Kyiv to a Polish warehouse
• Reloading onto new transport
• Final delivery from Poland to the UK

 

When is this approach particularly relevant?

• Religious or public holidays in the EU or UK — high demand for trucks, border queues
• Vehicle shortage on the Kyiv–London route — common during peak periods (e.g., Sept–Oct, quarter-end)
• Tight delivery window for the UK client — transshipment allows holding the cargo until the required date
• Cost optimization — sometimes the Kyiv–Lublin + Lublin–London route is cheaper than direct Kyiv–London

 

What You Need for the Polish Warehouse Delivery Scenario

• A contract or agreement with a logistics provider in Poland that has a bonded or temporary storage warehouse
• Invoice, T1, and logistics tracking between stages
• Proper cargo labeling and accounting for loading/unloading and storage costs

This option increases flexibility and reduces risks — especially when timely delivery is essential.

 

What Furniture Manufacturers Should Know to Order Logistics Correctly

• Cargo dimensions and weight
• Delivery type: to partner or to end customer
• Incoterms (DAP or DDP)
• Need for warehouse storage
• Client contacts, exact address, floor, elevator access
• Delivery zone restrictions (ULZ, access time, parking)
• Old furniture removal needs
• Clear installation deadline

 

About the Rates

This training case includes commercial quotes from several logistics companies specializing in furniture delivery to the UK. The calculations are based on groupage (LTL) delivery.

The most competitive rates were offered by Daleth Group, which provided a full-service package including customs clearance, delivery, and client coordination in London.

🟨 All rates are valid as of the article’s publication and may vary depending on market conditions, fuel prices, seasonality, and transport availability.

 

Conclusion: Groupage Delivery from Kyiv to London to End Clients is Possible

Organizing the delivery of a single furniture set to an end consumer in the EU or UK is achievable — but only with a detailed cost breakdown, streamlined processes, and experienced partners at every stage.

This guide was prepared by the UAFM team as part of the “Export Alliance Mastery” training program by Vision Institute.

This instruction is part of the internal training cases available to UAFM members.

 

Need Help With Logistics?

UAFM systematically supports Ukrainian furniture manufacturers in mastering exports — from trade show participation to working with foreign customers and solving logistics challenges.

Need trusted logistics company contacts?
Not sure how to handle documents or choose between DAP and DDP?
Need a sample logistics request or a customs broker checklist?

Contact the UAFM office — we’ll share experience, templates, contacts, and help you avoid common mistakes.