Sea freight from China to Finland

FCL or LCL?

• LCL (shared container) suits a few pallets. It is priced per revenue tonne (1 m³ or 1,000 kg, whichever is greater) and takes longer because of consolidation.
• FCL 20 ft holds about 33 m³ and 40 ft / 40 ft HC about 67 / 76 m³. You pay a fixed price per container, and the container stays sealed from the factory.
• From about 10–15 m³, a 20 ft container is often cheaper than LCL. We price both for you.

Ports and transit times

There is no direct container service from China to Finland, so cargo transships at Hamburg, Rotterdam or another North European hub.

These times are indicative (updated 12.10.2026). Chinese New Year, peak season and carrier re-routing can add time.

What drives the container price

Ocean freight, fuel (BAF), peak-season (PSS) and EU ETS surcharges, terminal handling at both ends, pickup and export clearance in China (depending on the Incoterm, e.g. EXW or FOB), Finnish customs clearance and delivery, and demurrage or detention if a container is held beyond free time. Ocean rates change weekly, so we quote per shipment.

Duty, VAT and documents

Duty depends on the commodity code and is charged on the customs value, which is usually the goods price plus freight and insurance to the EU border. Some Chinese products also carry anti-dumping duty. Import VAT at the general rate of 25.5% is charged on the customs value plus duty and transport to the destination in Finland. VAT-registered businesses report it in their VAT return. You need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, the importer’s EORI number, product certificates where required, and ISPM 15 marked wood packaging.

CIF or FOB: why the Incoterm decides your costs in Finland

When a Chinese supplier sells CIF or CFR, it chooses the carrier and forwarder, but you still pay the destination charges. Terminal handling at the port of discharge, the bill of lading release fee and other local charges are billed to the consignee, and they can be a surprise. On FOB or EXW terms we book the freight ourselves and you see the full cost in advance. Ask us to compare the supplier’s CIF price plus Finnish charges with the FOB price plus our freight before you order.

CBAM: are you importing steel, aluminium or other CBAM goods?

If you import iron, steel, aluminium, fertilisers, cement or hydrogen, or products made from them (such as screws or steel structures), the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) may apply. From 2026 importers above an annual weight threshold must be authorised CBAM declarants (threshold 50 tonnes per year). Check this before your first container; we tell you what data you need from the supplier.

Common problems on the China container lane

1. Bill of lading not released: the container is in Finland but cannot be collected because the supplier releases the B/L (telex release) only after final payment. Agree payment terms so the container does not wait, as demurrage runs.
2. Wood packaging without ISPM 15 marks: the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) can order treatment or return of the packaging. Ask the supplier for marked pallets.
3. Imprecise commodity codes: a wrong CN code can mean extra duty later or unexpected anti-dumping duty. We check codes before loading.
4. Heavy goods: tiles, stone and metal reach the container’s weight limit before its volume, so a 20 ft container is often better than a 40 ft.
5. Chinese New Year: factories close for a long time and containers fill up just before the holiday. Book early.
6. Re-routing: because of the Red Sea situation, some Asia–Europe services have sailed around the Cape of Good Hope, which adds time. We confirm routing and schedule when you book.

How it works

1. Send the cargo details and the supplier’s address.
2. We book and arrange pickup.
3. You get sailing dates and the bill of lading.
4. We file the import declaration before arrival.
5. We deliver the container or the pallets.

Updated 12 October 2026