Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Finland

The trade dynamics between the United States and Finland encompass various industries, from advanced technology to machinery to healthcare. These countries are bound by strong economic ties, creating a prosperous collaboration that is a testament to international cooperation. 

In fact, in 2022, the United States was Finland’s seventh-largest source of imports, exporting $3.5 billion worth of goods to Finland. 

To successfully ship from the United States to Finland, you need to be knowledgeable about the process, your ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance, and more. This article covers everything you need to know. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United States to Finland?

Ocean and air freight are your options for shipping cargo from the United States to Finland. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Finland

Ocean freight is the most flexible and budget-friendly way to ship goods from the United States to Finland. It can accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport and even gives you two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

LCL is for shippers transporting small goods or in small volumes. It involves the consolidation process, where goods from different shippers are consolidated and shipped together in one container. This makes LCL economical as shippers will only pay for the goods their goods occupy. 

FCL, on the other hand, is for those transporting large cargo or shipping in large volumes. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone. It’s much faster than LCL but can get more expensive unless you maximize the space in the container for all your shipping needs. 

Air Freight from the United States to Finland

The other way to ship goods from the United States to Finland is air freight. It’s the fastest mode of international shipping, preferred by shippers transporting time-sensitive or perishable items. Air freight is also suitable for high-value cargo because it has stricter regulations and processes that can help guarantee cargo security.

Air freight, however, has its drawbacks. For one, it’s the most expensive way to ship cargo overseas. Another is its strict limitations on the nature, size, weight, and volume of cargo you can transport by air. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From the United States to Finland?

The cost of shipping cargo from the United States to Finland will depend on the following: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to Finland:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Finland?

The transit time for goods shipped from the United States to Finland is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Finland?

Ocean freight from the United States to Finland can take 15 to 50 days.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from the United States to Finland?

Air freight from the United States to Finland is much faster, taking only 2 to 8 business days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in the United States and Finland

When your goods arrive in Finland, they will go through the customs clearance process, which requires that you prepare and submit the following requirements: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

Here’s a full documents list that you can take a look at for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now comes the decision of whether to ship via ocean or air freight. Here are some pointers to consider to help you make the right choice for your needs, priorities, and cargo.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It doesn’t cost too much to ship by sea, nor can it accommodate any cargo you need to transport. You also get to choose between LCL and FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Consider LCL if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You should ship via FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If your goal is to get your cargo to Finland fast, then air freight is undoubtedly the shipping mode for you. It’s perfect for time-sensitive and perishable goods that need to get to their destination in less than a week. Shippers of high-value goods will also appreciate air freight’s security to ensure their cargo arrives without damage or delay. 

However, before finally settling on air freight, consider the cost. Air freight is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also unable to ship all types of cargo and has weight, size, and volume limits. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of South Louisiana

The Port of South Louisiana handles 60% of all grain cargo handling in the Midwest. Its facility covers 54 miles in land area, making it one of the biggest ports in the United States. It handles over 238 million metric tonnes of cargo per year. 

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans connects 14,500 miles of trading waterways to the coast of America. It is one of the busiest ports in the United States, seeing 360,000 vessel calls annually. The port spreads across an area of 2000 feet and handles 92.2 million tonnes of cargo annually. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is one of the largest container handling terminals in the United States, handling over 80 to 85 million metric tonnes annually. It boasts 80 operational berths and ten cargo piers. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Finland

Port of Hamina-Kotka

The Port of Hamina-Kotka is a major seaport in Kotka and Hamina in Kymenlaakso, Finland. It merged the ports of Kotka and Hamina in 2011, making it the biggest port in the country. It handles a range of cargo, including containers, liquid and dry bulk, and RoRo. 

Port of Helsinki

The Port of Helsinki is Finland's main port of foreign trade. It is also the country’s leading cargo port, handling over 14.7 million tonnes of goods annually. Its primary import commodities are daily consumer goods. 

Port of Rauma

The Port of Rauma is located in the city of Rauma in Finland, specifically on the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia. It handles over 5.8 million tonnes of international cargo annually, over 70% of which are exports. 

Air Freight from the United States to Finland: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Kansas City International Airport

The Kansas City International Airport is located in Kansas City, Missouri, 15 miles northwest of downtown. It handles over 237 million pounds of freight per year and is a hub for Frontier Airlines, Trans World Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and more. 

Laredo International Airport

The Laredo International Airport is located three miles northeast of downtown Laredo, Webb County, Texas. It is a non-hub primary commercial service airport with over 45,000 aircraft operations annually. 

Piedmont Triad International Airport

The Piedmont Triad International Airport is located in Guilford County, North Carolina. It serves the Piedmont Triad region, comprising Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem. The port is a hub for FedEx Express and 21 Air.

Airports of arrival in Finland

Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport

The Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport is the biggest airport in Finland. It boasts three runways and a new cargo terminal that opened in 2018. The airport handles over 450,000 tonnes of freight per year.