In recent years, with the continuous deepening of China-EU trade relations, bilateral trade between China and Finland has remained highly active. Finland is one of China’s important trading partners in Northern Europe, and China is one of Finland’s most important trading partners worldwide. This article will introduce the logistics of transporting from China to Finland in detail.
Introduction to Finland
Located on the main transportation route of Northern Europe, Finland borders Russia to the east and Sweden to the west. It is a member of the European Union and has a stable political and economic system. The national consumption capacity is high and the market has a strong demand for high-quality products. It mainly imports from China:
- Electronic products and communication equipment: Finland’s technology is mature and there is a strong demand for smart devices and accessories.
- Furniture: Finns value quality in life, and imported furniture, lamps, kitchen and bathroom products are hot-selling.
- Auto parts: As a major automobile user, the Finnish market has a stable demand for parts.
- Machinery and tools: Engineering construction and manufacturing have driven the demand for China’s mid-to-high-end machinery products.
How to Ship from China to Finland
Sea Freight
Sea transport is the cheapest of all modes of transport, especially suitable for large and heavy goods, with high stability, mature routes and low risks. It has strong carrying capacity and can transport bulk goods, full container loads (FCL) or less than container loads (LCL).
Main ports
- Helsinki Port: Finland’s largest and busiest port, responsible for a considerable part of the country’s container transportation.
- Port of Kotkahamina: The port is known for its extensive container and bulk cargo business and is an important hub for international trade.
- Port of Turku: An important cargo port, especially for goods from Sweden and the Baltic countries.
Air Freight
Air transport is the fastest mode of transport, with stable timeliness. It is suitable for companies with tight supply cycles, high packaging requirements, and goods that are not easily damaged. It is suitable for urgent, high value-added, and light and small goods.
Main airports
- Helsinki Vantaa Airport: As Finland’s largest and busiest airport, it carries most of Finland’s air cargo volume.
- Oulu Airport: Oulu Airport is well-known for its strategic location in northern Finland and is an important hub for regional and international freight.
Rail Freight
Rail transport is between the two modes of transport. It is faster than sea transport and cheaper than air transport. It is suitable for medium and high-value goods with certain requirements for timeliness. The land route is stable and less affected by weather, which is suitable for companies with stable supply.
Major railway centers
- Kouvola: It is one of the largest railway logistics centers in Finland, and regular freight train services have been opened between it and China.
- Helsinki: It is an important railway transportation hub connecting Finland with other countries.
Shipping Cost from China to Finland
The cost of shipping from China to Finland depends on many factors, including the mode of transport (sea, rail, air), type of goods, weight and volume, departure and destination, and customs clearance services. The following are the costs of different modes of transport:
Sea Freight Cost from China to Finland
The cost of shipping from major ports in China 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 | Kotkahamina | $85-$190 | $1950-$2950 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Kotkahamina | $75-$170 | $2000-$3000 | $3500-$5000 |
| Ningbo | Kotkahamina | $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 | Oulu | $5.5 – $12.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Oulu | $5.0 – $11.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Oulu | $5.5 – $10.8 |
Rail Freight Cost from China to Finland
The cost of rail transportation from China to Finland is generally charged in two modes: LCL or FCL. Similar to sea transportation, the cost range is as follows:
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Finland) | LCL Shipping Cost | FCL Shipping Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Kouvola | $180 – $250 / CBM | $5500-$6500 /40FT |
| Chongqing | Kouvola | $175 – $260 / CBM | $5600-$6700 /40FT |
| Xi’an | Kouvola | $185 – $240 / CBM | $5500-$6800 /40FT |
| Chengdu | Helsinki | $180 – $250 / CBM | $5800-$6700 /40FT |
| Chongqing | Helsinki | $170 – $250 / CBM | $5600-$6700 /40FT |
| Xi’an | Helsinki | $185 – $260 / CBM | $5500-$6500 /40F |
If you are interested in the costs of shipping from China to other countries:
Shipping Cost from China to Sweden
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Poland?
Shipping Time from China to Finland
The common modes of transportation from China to Finland are sea, rail and air. The transportation time of each mode is different and is also affected by many factors. The specific time range is as follows:
Sea Freight Time from China to Finland
It takes 30-45 days for goods to reach Finnish ports from major Chinese ports (such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shenzhen) via the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean.
Influencing factors:
- Weather conditions (such as storms, freezing periods)
- Channel congestion (especially the Suez Canal)
- Loading and unloading efficiency and port congestion
- Shipping companies and route arrangements
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping days |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Helsinki | 30-43 days |
| Shenzhen | Helsinki | 32-44 days |
| Ningbo | Helsinki | 31-45 days |
| Shanghai | Kotkahamina | 30-45 days |
| Shenzhen | Kotkahamina | 31-42 days |
| Ningbo | Kotkahamina | 30-43 days |
| Shanghai | Turku | 31-44 days |
| Shenzhen | Turku | 32-42 days |
| Ningbo | Turku | 30-41 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Finland
It usually takes 4-7 days for cargo to arrive at Finnish airports from major Chinese airports (such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou) via hubs such as Frankfurt and Amsterdam or directly.
Influencing factors:
- Flight frequency and route arrangement
- Weather conditions (especially in winter)
- Airline freight rate fluctuations
- Fuel prices and aviation policy changes
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Finland) | Shipping days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Helsinki-Vantaa | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Helsinki-Vantaa | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Helsinki-Vantaa | 4-7 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Oulu | 4-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Oulu | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Oulu | 4-7 days |
Rail Freight Time from China to Finland
It usually takes about 14-22 days for goods to be transferred from inland cities in China (such as Chongqing, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Yiwu) to Finland via Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Poland
Influencing factors:
- Railway customs clearance time
- Switching between wide and standard gauges between China and Europe (usually at the border between Belarus and Poland)
- Policy changes (such as sanctions, war, etc.)
- Railway capacity scheduling and seasonal impact
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Finland) | Shipping days |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Kouvola | 14-22 days |
| Chongqing | Kouvola | 15-20 days |
| Xi’an | Kouvola | 14-21 days |
| Chengdu | Helsinki | 15-22 days |
| Chongqing | Helsinki | 14-20 days |
| Xi’an | Helsinki | 15-22 days |
Learn more about shipping times from China to nearby areas:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Poland?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Germany?
Shipping from China to Finland Customs Clearance Process
Document Submission
The following documents are usually required for customs clearance:
- Commercial Invoice: specifies the value, quantity and description of the goods.
- Packing List: details the weight, dimensions and contents of the goods.
- Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB): serves as proof of shipment.
- Certificate of Origin: proves the origin of the goods and is usually required to calculate customs duties.
- Import License: Import licenses are required for certain regulated goods, such as electronics or pharmaceuticals.
- Special Licenses: Required for specific categories, such as hazardous materials or agricultural products.
Customs Inspection
Finnish Customs may inspect the goods to verify that they comply with regulations. For goods that require special customs clearance (such as food or chemicals), a physical inspection may be carried out.
Tax and Tax Assessment
Customs calculates duties and taxes based on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight) of the goods.
Payment of Duties and Taxes
The importer or his agent must pay the assessed duties, VAT and any other applicable fees before customs releases the goods.
Release of Goods
Once customs clearance is complete, the goods are released and eventually delivered to the consignee.
Duties and Taxes in Finland
Duties
Duties vary according to the product classification (HS code) and range from 0% to 14% depending on the type of goods.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Finland applies a standard VAT rate of 24% to most imported goods, calculated on the CIF value plus customs duty.
Excise Duties
Certain goods, such as alcohol, tobacco and energy products, may be subject to additional excise duties.
Anti-dumping Duties
Specific goods, such as certain steel products or solar panels, may be subject to additional duties to protect EU industries.
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Shipping from China to Finland is a complex process involving multiple links. Through this article, you can choose the right method and find a reliable freight forwarder to ensure that the goods arrive efficiently and smoothly.