Are you looking to ship goods from China to Finland in 2025? Whether you’re a business owner, importer, or supply chain manager, understanding the shipping process from China to Finland is essential for timely and cost-effective delivery.
This comprehensive guide covers the main international shipping methods—including ocean freight, air freight, and rail transport—outlining each option’s pros and cons, estimated transit times, and typical shipping costs.
We also break down the customs clearance process in Finland, listing the required documents, compliance steps, and potential import duties you should be aware of. To help you optimize your logistics strategy, this guide highlights the top export ports in China and major logistics hubs in Finland. It shows you how to choose the right freight forwarder based on shipping type, volume, and cost efficiency.
Whether shipping small or large cargo, this page is your go-to resource for successful and compliant shipping between China and Finland.
How Is Shipping from China to Finland Done?
Shipping goods from China to Finland can be done through several transport methods, each with its advantages in terms of cost, speed, and suitability for different types of cargo.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the most common and cost-effective option for transporting large goods. It’s ideal for bulk shipments where cost efficiency is a priority.
- Full Container Load (FCL): The most economical option if you have enough cargo to fill a 20-foot or 40-foot container.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): If your shipment doesn’t fill an entire container, you can share container space with other shipments. Pricing is based on volume or weight. While the per-unit cost is higher than FCL, it’s a better option for smaller loads.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest but most expensive shipping method. It’s best suited for high-value, low-volume items or shipments that are time-sensitive and require fast delivery.
Rail Freight
Rail transport offers a middle ground between sea and air freight in terms of transit time and cost. Services like the China Railway Express allow goods to be shipped from China to Europe by rail and delivered to Finland. This is a reliable option for those seeking faster delivery than sea freight but at a lower cost than air freight.
Express Shipping
Express services (DHL, FedEx, and UPS) offer fast, door-to-door delivery and are ideal for small parcels, documents, product samples, or other time-critical items. This is the quickest method for shipping small goods from China to Finland.
Shipping Time from China to Finland
Several key factors can affect the shipping time from China to Finland. The choice of transportation method—whether sea freight, air freight, rail, or express delivery—comes with different trade-offs in terms of speed and reliability. The final delivery destination within Finland also plays a role, as shipments to remote areas may take longer. In addition, the efficiency of the customs clearance process is crucial—any delays at this stage can significantly extend the overall transit time.The specific time range is as follows:
Sea Freight Time from China to Finland
Shipping times can vary significantly depending on the specific ports of departure and arrival and the chosen shipping line. This highlights the importance of selecting the right route and carrier. Typically, sea freight from China to Finland takes between 30 and 45 days.
| 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.
| 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
| 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 |
Shipping Cost from China to Finland
The cost of shipping from China to Finland depends on several factors, including the chosen mode of transportation (sea, rail, or air freight), the type of goods being shipped, their weight and volume, the origin and destination locations, and any required customs clearance services. Below is a general overview of the costs associated with different shipping methods:
Sea Freight Cost from China to Finland
Shipping costs for 20-foot and 40-foot containers from major Chinese ports—such as Shanghai, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Ningbo, and Guangzhou—to Helsinki and other Finnish ports like Kotka, Turku, Rauma, and Kokkola can vary significantly.
These cost differences depend heavily on both the port of origin in China and the destination port in Finland, as well as the size of the container. A detailed cost analysis based on the origin and destination is essential for accurate budgeting and planning.
| 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 Freight is fast but comes at a higher cost. It is ideal for small-volume, high-value goods that require urgent delivery. The price is typically calculated based on the greater of the actual weight or the volumetric weight, which is determined by the formula: (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
Goods are typically transported from inland cities in China (such as Chongqing, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, and Yiwu) to Finland via Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Poland in 14 to 22 days.
| 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 |
Step-by-Step Guide to Customs Clearance in Finland
- Submit Import Declaration
- The Finnish Customs website provides a detailed guide on submitting an import declaration, emphasizing the importance of accurate information and proper documentation.
- EORI Number
- For companies established outside the European Union, obtaining an EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is mandatory for submitting customs declarations in Finland.
- HS Code
- Correctly classifying goods using the HS code is crucial for determining applicable tariffs and ensuring compliance with customs regulations.
- Commercial Invoice and Packing List
- These documents provide essential details about the goods, including their value, content, and the parties involved in the transaction.
- Certificate of Origin
- A certificate of origin may be required to qualify for preferential tariff rates or to comply with specific regulations.
- Submit a Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
- These documents serve as proof of shipment and the transportation contract for the goods.
- Declare Statistical Value in Euros
- The goods’ statistical value at the Finnish border must be declared in euros when submitting the customs declaration.
- Provide Documents for Any Import Restrictions
- Certain goods, such as alcoholic beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, and firearms, may be subject to import restrictions in Finland. Specific permits or certificates might be required. Importers should verify whether their goods fall under these restrictions. Finnish Customs and the U.S. Department of Commerce emphasize this point.
- Receive Release Decision and Pay Applicable Duties and VAT
- Once the customs declaration has been processed and necessary inspections are completed, the importer must pay the applicable duties and Value Added Tax (VAT). After payment, the goods will be officially released and can proceed to their final destination.
