Shipping Crates from the USA to Finland: Rates, Delivery Time, and Customs

Ship Crate From the USA to XXX

Introduction: Shipping a Crate from the USA to Finland:

Shipping a Crate from the USA to Finland: Business Equipment and Inherited Property

A custom wooden or aluminium crate provides the highest level of protection for international freight — used when boxes or pallets are not enough. The reasons are typically the same regardless of destination: the item is fragile, heavy, high-value, oversized, or irreplaceable. For shipments from the USA to Finland specifically, two purposes are most common.

The first is commercial: US companies exporting industrial equipment, technology hardware, medical devices, or precision instruments to Finnish companies and research institutions. Finland has a sophisticated industrial and technology sector — KONE (lifts and escalators), Wärtsilä (marine and energy equipment), and Valmet (paper and energy technology) are all Finnish multinationals that work with US suppliers. Medical technology, cleantech, and semiconductor-related equipment also flows regularly from the USA to Finnish facilities.

The second is personal and heritage-related: Finnish-Americans shipping inherited household items, antiques, or family heirlooms from the USA to Finland after the passing of a relative. Finland has a specific customs provision — the perintötavara (inheritance goods) exemption — that allows genuinely inherited property to be imported duty-free and ALV-free, administered by Tulli.

ExpediShip ships custom wooden and aluminium crates from any US address to any Finnish city. We handle pickup, export documentation, air freight to Helsinki-Vantaa, and delivery to any Finnish address.

For smaller shipments, see our box shipping page or luggage page. For pallet freight, see our pallet page.

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Who Ships Crates from the USA to Finland?

Who Ships Crates from the USA to Finland?

US Technology and Industrial Equipment Exporters

Finland’s technology and industrial sectors create steady demand for US-manufactured equipment shipped in crates. Nokia remains a significant Finnish technology company and has US supply relationships. KONE exports lifts and escalators globally and works with US component suppliers. Wärtsilä’s marine and energy equipment division has US technology partnerships. US companies exporting industrial machinery, manufacturing equipment, sensors, instruments, or technology hardware to these Finnish companies or their Finnish subcontractors regularly use crate shipping for protection.

Medical and Life Sciences Equipment Companies

Finland has a well-developed healthcare system and a growing medical technology sector. US medical device companies shipping demonstration units, surgical equipment, diagnostics instruments, and laboratory hardware to Finnish hospitals, research institutions, and distributors use crate shipping for protection during transit.

Finnish-Americans Shipping Inherited Property

Approximately 750,000 Americans are of Finnish descent — the Finnish-American community is concentrated in the Upper Midwest, particularly in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. When a Finnish-American family member passes away, inherited items — furniture, household goods, books, personal effects, artworks, and family heirlooms — sometimes need to be shipped from the USA to relatives in Finland. Crate shipping provides the protection that irreplaceable items require. Finland’s perintötavara (inheritance goods) exemption may allow duty-free and ALV-free import of these items, as explained below.

Collectors, Galleries, and Art Market Participants

Finland has an active contemporary art market. US galleries and private collectors occasionally ship artworks, sculptures, design objects, and collectibles to Finnish buyers, museums, or exhibitions in crates. Helsinki’s Amos Rex contemporary art museum and the Helsinki Art Museum are internationally active institutions that receive international art shipments.

Shipping Cost & Transit Time for Shipping crate from the USA to Finland

Our prices are highly competitive — that’s why so many customers choose Expediship for shipping crate from the USA to Finland. We offer affordable rates with reliable, professional service, guiding you step by step through the entire shipping process for crate shipment

Delivery to Finland. typically takes around 5 business days, not including customs clearance time, which may vary depending on Finland. government processing.

Below are estimated starting prices for shipping Crate from the USA to Finland. Final cost depends on box size, pickup address, and delivery city.

Weight Range Starting Price (USD)
150–200 lbsFrom $4/lbs
201–300 lbsFrom $3.8/lbs
301–400 lbsFrom $3.5/lbs
401–500 lbsFrom $3.0/lbs
501–600 lbsFrom $2.8/lbs
601–700 lbsFrom $2.5/lbs
701–800 lbsFrom $1.5/lbs
801+ lbs From $1.2 — for larger shipments, please contact customer service for an exact quote.

Note: Prices are estimated starting rates for air freight shipments. Expediship offers door-to-door service with full tracking and customs guidance.

Finnish Customs Rules for Business Equipment in a Crate from the USA

Finnish Customs Rules for Business Equipment in a Crate from the USA

Finland applies EU customs law to all business goods imported from the USA. Business equipment shipped in crates is subject to EU customs duty (at the applicable commodity code rate — typically 0% to 6.5% for most manufactured goods) and Finnish ALV of 25.5% on the CIF value.

Standard commercial import (permanent import)

Business equipment permanently imported into Finland — sold to a Finnish company, transferred to a Finnish subsidiary, or delivered to a Finnish business partner — is subject to EU customs duty and Finnish ALV of 25.5%. Finnish businesses that are VAT-registered (with an ALV-tunnus — Finnish VAT registration number) can typically recover the import ALV as input tax through their ALV returns filed with the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero). This means the 25.5% import ALV is typically a cash flow cost rather than a permanent expense for registered Finnish businesses.

The Y-tunnus and EORI number

All businesses importing commercial goods into Finland must have a valid EU EORI number. Finnish business EORI numbers are based on the company’s Y-tunnus (Yritys- ja yhteisötunnus — Finnish Business ID) preceded by “FI.” The Finnish importing company must be registered before the import declaration is filed. Tulli administers import declarations at tulli.fi/en/businesses/import.

Temporary import for business demonstrations

If business equipment is being temporarily imported for a demonstration, testing, or short-term business use and will return to the USA, the temporary admission procedure (väliaikainen tuonti) may apply. An ATA Carnet is also accepted for professional equipment temporarily used in Finland for business purposes.

The Fintaric commodity code tool

For any commercial crate shipment above the €150 threshold, checking the applicable customs duty rate and any import restrictions using Fintaric at tulli.fi/en/businesses/import/customs-duties-and-taxes before shipping ensures accurate documentation and avoids delays at Tulli.

Importing Inherited Property to Finland: The Perintötavara Exemption

Importing Inherited Property to Finland: The Perintötavara Exemption

Finland’s customs system provides a specific duty-free and ALV-free concession for goods acquired by inheritance (perintötavara — inheritance goods). When a person inherits personal property from a deceased relative who lived outside the EU and ships those items to Finland, Tulli may grant the import without customs duty or Finnish ALV, provided the correct documentation is submitted.

The conditions for the perintötavara exemption

The goods must have been owned by the deceased — not purchased by the estate specifically for import to Finland.

The importer must provide documentation from a competent authority in the country where the deceased resided — in this case, the USA — confirming that the goods are acquired by hereditary succession. This typically means a certified notarial document from a US notary or estate attorney, confirming the death and the inheritance. The document may need to be apostilled (authenticated under the Hague Apostille Convention) for Finnish use.

The importer must apply for the perintötavara exemption at the Tulli customs office responsible for the area where the goods will arrive. For crate shipments arriving at Helsinki-Vantaa, the relevant Tulli office is the Helsinki customs office. Tulli’s guidance on customs duty relief for inherited goods is referenced in EU Regulation 1186/2009 and available at tulli.fi/en.

What qualifies under the perintötavara exemption?

Personal household goods — furniture, clothing, books, kitchenware, and personal effects owned by the deceased. Artworks, antiques, and collectibles owned by the deceased, provided they are not subject to specific Finnish or EU cultural property restrictions. The goods do not need to have been owned for a minimum period — the exemption is based on the mode of acquisition, not the length of ownership.

What does not qualify: new goods purchased by the estate for import, commercial stock or inventory, alcohol and tobacco (always subject to Finnish excise duties), and firearms (require specific Finnish police permits).

Insurance Options for Shipping Boxes, Pallets, Crates, or Luggage from the USA to Finland

Every shipment automatically includes $100 of cargo insurance free of charge — if anything is lost or damaged, you are covered up to $100 at no extra cost. Need more protection? Add full coverage for just 3% of the declared value when requesting your quote. For eligibility rules, non-insurable items, and how claims work, see our Shipping Insurance Guide.

International Shipping Prohibitions and Restrictions

Ship from USA to Finland — Know What You Cannot Ship

Certain items cannot be received, stored, shipped, imported, or exported due to government regulations, safety concerns, or international trade laws. Transactions involving these commodities are strictly prohibited, regardless of the shipment’s origin or destination.

Note: These items are completely forbidden to be exported or imported between countries.

1
Illegal Substances
Includes drugs, narcotics, and controlled substances such as cannabis-derived products (including CBD).
2
Explosives & Flammable Materials
Fireworks, gunpowder, gasoline, and other flammable liquids.
3
Hazardous Materials
Toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, or substances posing environmental risks.
4
Firearms & Ammunition
All guns, bullets, weapon parts, and related accessories are prohibited.
5
Animal Products
Meat, hides, ivory, or other by-products restricted for health, safety, or conservation reasons.
6
Perishable Goods
Fresh food, fruits, and vegetables that may spoil during transit.
7
Counterfeit Goods
Fake or imitation branded items are illegal to ship.
8
Cash & Currency
Large amounts of cash, checks, or monetary instruments are subject to strict regulations.

Shipping Process

Ship Crate from USA to Finland

1
Contact Expediship
Reach out to Expediship with your shipping request (Pallet or Crate).
2
Provide Shipment Information
Share details such as number of pallets, size, weight, and destination address.
3
Get a Quote
Expediship will provide a competitive air freight quote for your shipment.
4
Accept the Quote
Confirm and proceed once you’re satisfied with the price and service.
5
Receive and Paste Shipping Label
Expediship sends your label and packing instructions. Print and paste it securely on your Pallet or crate.
6
Pickup by Expediship
Expediship arranges door pickup from your home or business.
7
Customs Clearance
Shipment arrives in Finland and goes through customs. Expediship guides you through any needed paperwork.
8
Final Delivery
Once cleared, your Pallet or crate are delivered directly to the recipient’s address.

Frequently Asked Questions When Shipping Crate from USA to Finland

A pallet is an open platform for stacking multiple boxes. A crate is a fully enclosed container providing protection on all six sides. Crates are for items that are fragile, high-value, oversized, or require structural enclosure. If your goods can be safely stacked in boxes on a pallet, a pallet shipment is sufficient. If your goods need enclosed protection with custom internal bracing, a crate is the correct solution.

Perintötavara is the Finnish term for goods acquired by hereditary succession. If you have inherited personal property — furniture, household items, antiques, personal effects — from a deceased relative in the USA and want to import them to Finland duty-free and ALV-free, you need to apply for the perintötavara exemption at Tulli with a certified notarial document from the USA confirming the inheritance. Contact ExpediShip before shipping to discuss the documentation requirements. Tulli’s customs duty relief guidance is at tulli.fi/en.

Via air freight, crate shipments from the USA to Finland typically arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa in 5 to 6 business days. Tulli customs clearance for well-documented commercial or inheritance crate shipments typically takes 1 to 3 additional business days.

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