Heathrow cargo collection & delivery
Freight released at a Heathrow cargo shed, collected and driven directly to wherever it needs to be — in a dedicated vehicle, at any hour. And straight advice on the thing that actually causes delays: the paperwork, not the driving.
Have the air waybill number and handling agent ready and dispatch can move quickly.
What we do at Heathrow cargo
Heathrow handles more air freight than any other UK airport, and it is the most common collection point for urgent imports. We move freight in both directions.
| Import collections | Collecting released consignments from cargo handling agents and freight sheds |
|---|---|
| Export deliveries | Presenting consignments to handling agents against flight cut-offs |
| Onward distribution | Direct delivery from Heathrow to any UK destination in the same vehicle |
| Airport-to-site | Cargo area to warehouse, factory, hangar, MRO or end customer |
| Airport-to-airport | Road movements to other UK airports where flying is slower or impractical |
| Aviation parts | AOG and maintenance spares released at Heathrow — see AOG courier |
Every job is a dedicated vehicle. Your freight is collected and driven straight to its destination — it does not go back to a depot, it is not consolidated with other consignments, and there are no other drops on the way.
Why Heathrow collections really get delayed
This is the most useful thing on this page, and most carriers will not tell you.
The delay is almost never the driving. Heathrow is well connected and a vehicle can be at the cargo area quickly. What holds consignments up is documentation and release status.
| Cause | What actually happens |
|---|---|
| Customs clearance not complete | The freight physically exists in the shed but cannot legally be handed over |
| Release not issued | Clearance is done but the handling agent has not yet released to the collecting party |
| Charges outstanding | Handling, storage or other charges unpaid, so release is withheld |
| Wrong collecting details | The agent has not been told who is collecting, so the driver is turned away |
| Air waybill mismatch | Details do not match what the agent holds |
| Agent queues | At busy periods the release desk itself is the bottleneck |
What we need to arrange a collection
| Air waybill number | The primary reference the handling agent works from |
|---|---|
| Handling agent | Which agent or shed is holding the freight |
| Release status | Whether clearance is complete and release is in place |
| Piece count & weight | To assign the right vehicle |
| Dimensions | Particularly for palletised or awkward consignments |
| Delivery address | Plus a named contact and their availability |
| Deadline | When it must be on site |
| Dangerous goods | Whether the consignment is classified — declare at booking |
| Collecting authority | Any documentation or reference the agent requires from the collecting driver |
How a collection runs
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 · You call | Phone 020 8888 9988 or WhatsApp +44 7466 237870 with the air waybill and agent details |
| 2 · Release checked | We confirm the freight is ready to be handed over before sending a vehicle where possible |
| 3 · Fixed price agreed | Quoted before dispatch, including the onward delivery leg |
| 4 · Vehicle dispatched | Sized to the consignment and assigned to your job alone |
| 5 · Collection & POC | Driver presents at the agent, checks the consignment against the paperwork, loads and secures it; proof of collection recorded |
| 6 · Direct transit | Straight from the cargo area to the delivery address, no depot, no other drops |
| 7 · Delivery & POD | Handed to your named recipient with proof of delivery, confirmed back to you |
Deliveries into Heathrow cargo
The same service in reverse, and here the deadline is fixed by someone else.
| Flight cut-offs | We plan the run backwards from the agent's cut-off, not forwards from collection |
|---|---|
| Presenting freight | Delivered to the handling agent with your documentation |
| Timing | Cut-offs are usually well before departure — confirm the actual acceptance deadline with your agent, not the flight time |
| Out of hours | Available, subject to the agent's acceptance hours |
| Dangerous goods | Declare at booking; carriage confirmed case by case |
A common and expensive mistake: planning to the flight departure time rather than the acceptance cut-off, which is typically several hours earlier. Get the cut-off from your handling agent and give dispatch that time.
Onward UK delivery
| Same vehicle throughout | Collected at Heathrow and driven to the final destination without transfer |
|---|---|
| UK-wide | Any destination nationwide, door to door |
| Other airports | Onward to Luton, Stansted, London City, Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Oxford, Cambridge and airfields nationwide |
| Long runs | Planned around drivers’ hours rules, with two-driver options subject to availability |
| Related | See also Heathrow, Luton and Stansted airport transfers |
Waiting time — how it works
Cargo collections are the one job type where waiting is genuinely common, so it is worth being upfront.
| Why it happens | Release delays, agent queues, charges outstanding, or paperwork not matching |
|---|---|
| What we do | Tell you as soon as the driver is held, so you can decide whether to wait or stand the vehicle down |
| Charges | Waiting time at the shed is included in the quoted price, so a slow release does not change what you pay |
| How to avoid it | Confirm clearance, release and charges before dispatch — the single most effective step |
Who we work with at Heathrow
| Freight forwarders | Import collections, export deliveries, cut-off recoveries |
|---|---|
| Airlines & operators | Spares and AOG parts released at cargo — see aviation courier services |
| MROs & engineering | Components arriving from overseas suppliers |
| Importers & manufacturers | Urgent production materials and components |
| Parts distributors | Stock arriving for immediate onward supply |
| Ground handling agents | Urgent movements between facilities |
Our dedicated vehicle network
| Vehicle | Typically suited to |
|---|---|
| Car / small van | Documents, small boxed consignments, single pieces |
| Medium van | Several pieces, light palletised freight |
| Long wheelbase van | Larger or longer consignments |
| Luton / tail-lift | Palletised and heavy freight needing mechanical loading — confirm lifting arrangements at both ends when booking |
Give dispatch the piece count, weight and dimensions when you book. Sending a vehicle that cannot take the pallet is the second most common cause of a wasted journey after paperwork.
Available 24/7
| Dispatch hours | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays |
|---|---|
| Agent hours | Individual handling agents have their own opening and release hours — confirm yours can release when you need |
| Overnight | Collections and onward runs through the night for morning delivery |
| Contact | Phone 020 8888 9988 · WhatsApp +44 7466 237870 |
What we do and don't claim
| What we do | Detail |
|---|---|
| Collect released freight | From handling agents and sheds in the Heathrow cargo area |
| Deliver exports to agents | Planned backwards from the acceptance cut-off |
| Dedicated vehicle | No consolidation, no multi-drop, direct onward delivery |
| Check release before dispatch | Wherever possible, to avoid wasted journeys and waiting charges |
| 24/7 dispatch | Including nights, weekends and public holidays |
| Proof at both ends | Proof of collection and proof of delivery |
| Onward UK delivery | Same vehicle, any destination nationwide |
📞 Call 020 8888 9988 · 💬 WhatsApp · Request a quote →
Frequently asked questions
Can you collect freight from Heathrow cargo?
Yes. We collect from cargo handling agents and freight sheds in the Heathrow cargo area once your consignment has been released, and deliver it directly onward to any UK destination in the same vehicle.
What do you need before you can collect?
The air waybill number, the handling agent holding the freight, confirmation that customs clearance is complete and the release is in place, plus the piece count, weight and dimensions. Without release in place the agent cannot hand the freight over, however early the vehicle arrives.
Do you arrange customs clearance?
No. We are a transport provider, not a customs broker or clearing agent. Clearance is arranged by you or your forwarder, and we collect once the freight has been released. We will tell you plainly if it looks like release is not yet in place, rather than sending a vehicle to wait.
How long does a Heathrow cargo collection take?
The drive is rarely the variable. Time at the shed depends on the handling agent, how busy they are, and whether the paperwork is fully in order. We would rather set a realistic expectation on the first call than promise a turnaround we cannot control.
Can you collect out of hours?
Yes, dispatch operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays. Bear in mind that individual handling agents have their own opening hours and release desks, so confirm your agent can release at the time you need.
Do you deliver into Heathrow cargo as well?
Yes. We deliver export consignments to handling agents against flight cut-offs. Tell us the cut-off time and the agent, and we plan the run backwards from it.
Do you have airside access?
No, we do not advertise airside access. Cargo collections and deliveries take place at the handling agent's landside facility, which is where this freight is normally released and accepted.
What happens if the freight is not ready when the driver arrives?
You are told immediately so you can decide whether to hold the vehicle or stand it down. Waiting time may apply where a vehicle is held. This is exactly why we check release status before dispatching wherever possible.
Have ready: air waybill number, handling agent, release status, piece count and weight, and the delivery address.