Air freight from the USA to Finland

Which US airports do you ship from?

Shipments usually leave from major cargo airports such as New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). From smaller cities the goods are first trucked to the nearest cargo airport. Some routes have direct flights to Helsinki, others connect in Europe; we choose by price, capacity and schedule.

How long does air freight from the USA take?

Indicative, updated 12 October 2026. Times assume the supplier hands over goods and documents on time. Capacity is tight from Thanksgiving (late November) to Christmas, so plan extra time.

What does the US shipper need to do?

• Export filing (EEI in AES): the shipper or its forwarder files Electronic Export Information when the value of one Schedule B commodity in the shipment exceeds USD 2,500, or when the goods need an export licence.
• Export control classification: for electronics, software, lasers and other technology, the invoice should show the ECCN or “EAR99”. Some items need a US export licence, and US re-export rules can follow the goods to Finland.
• Cargo screening: air cargo in the US is screened before loading unless it comes from a shipper known to the airline. Pack so that pieces can be screened, and allow an extra day if needed.
• Units: US suppliers usually give inches and pounds. Send them as they are and we convert, or use the same rule as everywhere: length × width × height in inches / 366 = volumetric weight in kg.
• Invoice details: name the Finnish importer and its EORI number on the commercial invoice.

How much duty and VAT do you pay on goods from the USA?

• No comprehensive trade agreement: there is no full EU–US free trade agreement, so preferential duty generally does not apply. EU duty on some US goods has changed with trade decisions in 2025–2026, so we check the rate valid on the day of import.
• Duty depends on the CN code.
• Import VAT is generally 25.5% of the customs value (goods plus freight to the EU border) plus duty. VAT-registered companies report it in OmaVero.
• Currency: invoices in US dollars are converted to euros at the customs exchange rate in force on the day of the declaration.
• Returned goods: if you send EU goods back from the US, for example after repair, duty relief may apply. Keep the original export declaration and the repair invoice.
• Food, supplements and cosmetics: they must meet EU rules before they are shipped. Food of animal origin goes through a border control post. Ask us before ordering.

Documents for air freight from the USA

• Commercial invoice with the Finnish importer, EORI number, value in USD and Incoterm
• Packing list with pieces, dimensions and weights (inches and pounds are fine)
• Air waybill (house and master AWB)
• EEI/AES confirmation (ITN) when a filing is required
• Safety Data Sheet and battery information if the goods contain batteries or chemicals
• Original export documents if the goods are returning to the EU

Common problems on the US lane, and how we avoid them

1. Missing EEI filing: the cargo waits at the US airport. We confirm with the shipper whether a filing is needed.
2. Inches and pounds read as centimetres and kilos: the quote is wrong and the invoice surprises you. We convert and confirm the chargeable weight in the quote.
3. Invoice without the Finnish importer or EORI: clearance stops in Helsinki. We send the shipper the details to show.
4. Old duty assumptions: rates have changed since 2025. We check the CN code and the current rate before shipping.
5. Repaired goods paying full duty: the return documents were missing. We tell you what to keep before the goods leave Finland.

How air freight from the USA works

1. Send the supplier’s address, goods description, dimensions, weights and Incoterm.
2. You get a price and transit time, and our partner agrees the pickup.
3. The goods are collected, the export filing is made if needed, and the flight is booked.
4. You get the AWB number, and we clear import customs at Helsinki Airport.
5. We deliver, or you collect from the cargo area.

Updated 12 October 2026