With the rapid development of global trade, international logistics and transportation has become an important part of global business activities. Finland is highly dependent on imports. More and more companies and individuals import from China, and the cost has become a focus of attention. This article will give a detailed introduction to the transportation costs between China and Finland.
Introduction to Finland
Located in northern Europe, Finland borders Sweden, Norway and Russia. Its geographical location makes it an important hub for trade between Europe and Asia. Due to the limited manufacturing industry in Finland and its high dependence on international trade, an efficient and stable logistics system is essential to meet market demand. China is one of Finland’s important trading partners.
Shipping from China to Finland
Depending on the type of goods, timeliness requirements and budget, the logistics methods from China to Finland mainly include the following:
Sea Freight
Sea transportation is one of the most common and economical international transportation methods. It is low-cost and suitable for large-volume cargo transportation, such as machinery and equipment, bulk commodities, etc. There are two main transportation services FCL and LCL:
- Full container Load(FCL): The service can exclusively use the entire container, mainly 20ft or 40ft containers. It has advantages in security, faster shipping time and cost efficiency of bulk transportation.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): For small shipments that do not need to fill a full container, share container space with other customers’ shipments and enjoy lower transportation costs. Safe and efficient consolidation to minimize the risk of damage.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest mode of transportation, with higher costs. It is suitable for transporting high-value, small-volume goods such as electronics, clothing, etc. It has high flexibility and can be flexibly dispatched according to flights, providing higher security and minimizing the risk of damage or theft.
Shipping Cost Structure from China to Finland
The cost structure of shipping from China to Finland usually includes multiple aspects, and the following components of the cost:
- Transportation cost: Usually the main cost, depending on the mode of transportation.
- Insurance premium: The specific cost is usually based on the value of the goods, the mode of transportation, and the type of insurance.
- Port fees: The cost of loading and unloading goods at the port of departure (Chinese port) and the port of destination (Finnish port), which may also include storage fees, demurrage, etc.
- Tariffs and Value Added Tax (VAT): Finland applies a 24% VAT, and some goods are subject to import tariffs
- Transportation surcharges: such as fuel surcharges, seasonal surcharges, etc., which are determined according to market fluctuations or transportation company policies.
- Warehousing and distribution costs: local warehousing, transit fees, last-mile distribution
Factors Affecting the Shipping Cost from China to Finland
There are many factors that affect the cost of transporting from China to Finland, mainly including the following aspects:
- Cargo volume and weight: light and bulky goods are charged by volume, and heavy goods are charged by weight.
- Cargo type: The transportation of dangerous goods or refrigerated goods requires special processing and equipment, which requires additional costs.
- Transportation mode: Ocean transportation is the cheapest, air transportation is the most expensive, and rail and multimodal transportation are in between.
- Transportation distance: There may be different routes and cost structures for transporting from different cities in China to different ports in Finland
- Seafood factors: Freight rates rise during peak seasons (such as “Double 11” and Christmas), and prices are lower during off-seasons.
- Destination and customs clearance requirements: Customs clearance fees and time limits vary at different ports and airports.
- Fuel surcharge: Fluctuations in international oil prices can affect sea and air freight costs.
Shipping Cost from China to Finland
The specific cost of shipping from China to Finland depends on several factors, including the mode of transportation, the type of goods, the volume and weight, and whether there are additional services. The following are the costs of different modes of transportation.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Finland
The cost of shipping from major ports in China (such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou) to major ports in Finland depends on two different shipping services. FCL is mainly determined by the size of the container, and LCL is mainly charged based on the volume and weight of the goods. The following are common cost ranges:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Helsinki | $90-$180 | $2050-$3050 | $3500-$5000 |
| Shenzhen | Helsinki | $85-$190 | $2000-$3000 | $3450-$4950 |
| Ningbo | Helsinki | $70-$180 | $2000-$2900 | $3650-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Kotka-Hamina | $85-$190 | $1950-$2950 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Kotka-Hamina | $75-$170 | $2000-$3000 | $3500-$5000 |
| Ningbo | Kotka-Hamina | $80-$190 | $2050-$3150 | $3450-$5050 |
| Shanghai | Turku | $75-$170 | $2100-$3000 | $3650-$4850 |
| Shenzhen | Turku | $85-$190 | $2000-$2900 | $3500-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Turku | $80-$190 | $2050-$3050 | $3750-$4950 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Finland
Air transport is relatively fast, but the cost of transportation is higher. It is suitable for small-volume, high-value goods that need to be transported urgently. It is usually charged based on the larger of actual weight and volumetric weight (length cm × width cm × height cm ÷ 6000)
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Finland) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Helsinki-Vantaa | $5.0 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Helsinki-Vantaa | $5.0 – $11.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Helsinki-Vantaa | $5.5 – $10.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Tampere-Pirkkala | $5.5 – $12.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Tampere-Pirkkala | $5.0 – $11.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Tampere-Pirkkala | $5.5 – $10.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Oulu | $5.5 – $12.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Oulu | $5.5 – $10.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Oulu | $5.0 – $11.8 |
If you are interested in the costs of shipping from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Norway
Shipping Cost from China to Sweden
Reduce the Shipping Cost from China to Finland
To reduce the cost of shipping from China to Finland, consider the following strategies:
Plan transportation in advance
Avoid peak seasons and choose a time when prices are lower.
Choose the right mode of transportation
Prioritize sea transportation for large quantities of goods, and use air or rail transportation for urgent goods.
Optimize packaging
Reduce volume and weight to reduce freight costs.
Use LCL service
Reduce single transportation costs.
Compare quotes with multiple freight forwarding companies
Choose the most cost-effective solution.
Use DDP (Due to Door) service
Reduce additional tariffs and customs clearance issues.
How to Find Suitable Freight Forwarding
Choosing a reliable freight forwarding company can effectively reduce costs and improve transportation efficiency. It is recommended to consider the following aspects:
- Experience and reputation: choose a freight forwarding company with experience in Finnish transportation and good reputation.
- Price transparency: avoid hidden fees and ensure that all cost details are clear.
- Multiple transportation options: provide multiple options such as sea, air, and rail.
- Customs clearance capabilities: familiar with Finland’s import policies to ensure smooth customs clearance.
- Customer service support: can provide real-time cargo tracking and after-sales service.
There are many ways to transport from China to Finland, and the cost is affected by many factors. Through reasonable planning, optimizing transportation methods and choosing suitable freight forwarding companies, this article can reduce logistics costs, improve transportation efficiency, and better meet the needs of the Finnish market.