Car Shipping to Finland
2026 Guide
Car shipping to Finland is simple with an agent who can guide you through the steps, costs, and import requirements. Whether you’re moving to Finland, selling a vehicle overseas, or importing a classic car, an experienced international auto transport company can help you comply with Finland and EU regulations and protect your vehicle during the journey overseas.
Why CFR Classic?
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How Our Container Loading System Protects Your Car on the Trip to Finland
R-RakThe R-Rak system replaces traditional wooden ramps with a secure steel racking system, allowing up to five classic vehicles to be safely loaded into a single container while minimizing movement and reducing the risk of damage during transit.
Shipping a Car to Finland– Key Takeaways
Quick SummaryThe most important facts about shipping a car from the US to Finland — before you dive into the detail.
Shipping a Car to Finland– Key Takeaways
Transit time: 4–6 weeks (ocean), 3–10 days (air)
VAT: 25.5%
Cost: $1,650–$7,000+ (ocean), $15,000+ (air)
Main ports: Helsinki, Kotka, Turku
Import duty: 10% (0% for vehicles over 30 years old in some cases)
Required inspection: Finnish registration inspection (rekisteröintikatsastus) via Traficom-authorised inspection station
Car Shipping Process Summary
The ProcessFrom your first quote to keys in hand, here’s the full journey.
Request a Free Quote
Submit your vehicle details online. Our team responds within 24 hours with a personalized cost breakdown and recommended shipping method.
24-hour response
Prepare Your Documentation
Gather your title, bill of sale, and other required paperwork.
Schedule Pick-Up or Vehicle Drop-Off
Have your vehicle picked up from your location and trucked to the port or drop it off at the agreed upon US port terminal.
Ocean Transit to Finland
While your vehicle is in transit, you can track its progress through our customer portal.
Customs Clearance in Finland
Our local broker handles all Finnish customs paperwork, VAT, customs duty, and the car tax declaration to the Finnish Tax Administration.
Delivered & Registered in Finland
Your vehicle passes the Finnish registration inspection at a Traficom-authorised station before plating and release.
Finland Car Shipping Costs, Major Ports & Shipping Methods
PricingShipping a car from the U.S. to Finland starts around USD $1,650, depending on departure port, method (container vs RoRo), vehicle size and destination port. The Port of Helsinki is the primary entry point, with additional service available to Kotka, Turku, Oulu and Hamina. The estimated transit time is 14–28 days, but this can also vary.
Route | Roll-On/Roll-Off | Shared Container Load | Full Container Load | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
US East Coast → Helsinki | $995 | $1,025 | $1,825 | Contact for Pricing |
US West Coast → Helsinki | $1,650 | $1,600 | $3,050 | Contact for Pricing |
Get an Instant Car Shipping Quote
Tell us about your vehicle and we’ll respond within 24 hours with a personalised cost breakdown.
* Please note that your information is saved on our server as you enter it.
US Departure Ports
LogisticsWe offer multiple departure locations for car shipping services. In addition, we can arrange for pickup from another location and have your vehicle transported to the departure port.
Ports Served in the USA
Los Angeles
New York
Houston
Miami
Savannah
Baltimore
Finnish Destination Ports
LogisticsWe can ship your vehicle directly to any of Finland’s main seaports, with onward inland delivery available across the country.
Ports Served in Finland
Helsinki
Kotka
Turku
Oulu
Hamina
Duties, Taxes & Fees
Taxes & FeesIn addition to the costs associated with shipment, you’ll need to prepare for other costs, such as those levied by the Finnish government. Some of these fees could include:
Finland Import and Registration Fees
Customs duty
VAT (Arvonlisävero)
Optional marine insurance/shipping protection
Technical inspection fee
Car tax (Autovero), based on the vehicle's CO₂ emissions and value
Motor liability insurance (liikennevakuutus)
Registration inspection (rekisteröintikatsastus) fees
Registration fee
Your agent can help you navigate these questions. When importing from a non-EU country, you can generally expect to pay a 10% customs duty on the value of the vehicle (purchase price plus delivery costs to the EU’s external border) and 25.5% VAT on the customs value plus duty. Vehicles over 30 years old may qualify for a 0% duty rate in certain cases. The Finnish car tax (autovero) is assessed separately by the Finnish Tax Administration once the vehicle has been declared for use, and must be paid before the vehicle can be registered.
Finnish Import Duty and Tax Exemptions
Duties & ExemptionsMost importers pay 25.5% VAT plus excise — but several categories are fully or partially exempt.
Exemption Type | How to Qualify & Exemption Details |
|---|---|
Classic / Vintage Vehicles | Vehicles over 30 years old may, in certain cases, qualify for a 0% customs duty rate. Eligibility is confirmed by Finnish Customs (Tulli) on a case-by-case basis and the vehicle must meet the relevant historical/collectors’ criteria. |
US Citizen or Resident Relocating to Finland (Removal Goods) | If you are transferring your normal place of residence to Finland from outside the EU, your car may be imported duty-free and VAT-free as removal goods, provided you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months, have owned and used the vehicle for at least 6 months before relocation, and continue to use it for personal purposes in Finland. The exemption does not cover the Finnish car tax, which may still apply on first registration. |
Returning EU Citizen | An EU citizen who was resident in the USA for over a year, and who has owned and registered the vehicle for over six months, may be granted a one-time opportunity to import the car free of import duty and VAT under the removal goods rules. The autovero may still apply on first Finnish registration. |
Shipping Methods
Choose your shipping methodYour vehicle can be shipped via container, via air freight, or on a roll-on/roll-off ship (think of it like a parking lot on a shipping vessel).
The method you choose will impact the cost and timing of your shipment. A quick summary of the benefits of each:
- Cheapest → Ro-Ro
- Balanced → Shared Container Load
- Maximum protection → Full Container Load
- Fastest → Air Freight
Ro-Ro (Roll-On/Roll-Off) Shipping
Ro-Ro shipping is typically the most affordable option, with the additional benefit that these ships have more frequent departures, meaning your shipment will have a shorter lead time before arrival.
Ro-Ro’s main drawback is that your vehicle will be in the open on the Ro-Ro deck with hundreds of other vehicles, and you will not be able to transport personal items inside the vehicle.
Shared Container Load (SCL)
With shared container load, we’ll use our R-Rak method to safely load your vehicle into a container, along with a few other customers’ vehicles. This allows you to share the cost of a container while benefiting from added security compared to Ro-Ro shipping.
However, it’s generally more expensive than Ro-Ro and takes longer as the container won’t ship until it’s been filled.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Full container load offers the benefits of shared container load shipping; however, the container is reserved exclusively for your vehicle or vehicles. This offers the highest level of protection and security, allows you to ship your vehicle with personal goods inside, and departs as soon as it can be loaded onto a vessel – no waiting to fill the container. The primary drawback is that FCL is more expensive than SCL and Ro-Ro.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest method. It’s exactly what it sounds like – we load your vehicle into a plane and then it is transported by air to its destination in Finland.
While significantly more expensive than other options, it’s ideal for time-sensitive shipments, reducing the process to days rather than weeks or months.
Import Eligibility & Documentation Required
Compliance
To ship a car to Finland, you’ll need to confirm a few details. Your agent can assist you in the process of determining your vehicle’s eligibility for shipment to Finland.
- Your vehicle will need to comply with Finnish and EU emissions standards.
- Your vehicle will need to comply with EU safety standards. Before importing a used vehicle, check with the brand’s general agent in Finland or with Traficom whether an EU type-approval exists or whether an individual approval is required.
- If your vehicle does not conform to safety or emissions standards, it will need to undergo a modification or individual-approval process, which will be an additional expense.
- Finland distinguishes between new and used vehicles for tax purposes — a vehicle is generally treated as new if it has been driven less than 6,000 km or was first put into use no more than six months before importation.
- Your vehicle may be exempt from some requirements if it qualifies for classic/vintage status (over 30 years old).
You’ll also want to ensure you have all proper documentation for import. You’ll need the following documentation to ship a car to Finland:
Documents for Shipping
Bill of Sale or Purchase Invoice
showing ownership, date, and vehicle value
US Title or Registration Certificate
confirming ownership transfer
Vehicle Photos
(VIN plate/chassis number, exterior, interior, engine bay) if required by the carrier or Finnish authorities
Shipping Contract/Booking Confirmation and Marine Insurance Certificate
Marine insurance recommended but not required
US Export Clearance Documents
and proof of vehicle condition
Upon arrival in Finland, you’ll need the following to complete your import and register your vehicle:
Documents for Import
Declaration of Use to Finnish Customs (käyttöönottoilmoitus)
submitted online
Car Tax Declaration (autoveroilmoitus) to the Finnish Tax Administration
due within five days of the declaration of use
Proof of value
(invoice with payment confirmation or purchase agreement)
Sales Contract / Bill of Sale
Customs clearance and duty/VAT assessment documents
Certificate of Conformity (COC) or evidence of EU type-approval
where applicable
Registration Inspection Certificate (rekisteröintikatsastus)
from a Traficom-authorised inspection station
Proof of valid traffic insurance (liikennevakuutus)
Passport or other ID
Proof of registered address in Finland
Vehicle Registration in Finland (Traficom)
RegistrationAll vehicles shipped to Finland must be registered with Traficom before they can be legally driven on public roads. As part of this process, the vehicle must pass a Finnish registration inspection (rekisteröintikatsastus) at an authorised inspection station, which checks the vehicle’s identity, technical condition, and compliance with Finnish and EU safety and emissions standards.
If your vehicle requires any modifications or individual approval to meet Finnish requirements, such as lighting adjustments or emissions compliance, these will need to be handled before the registration inspection. Our agent can assist you with finding a homologation specialist mechanic.
The typical sequence is: clear customs and pay duty/VAT, file the car tax declaration with the Finnish Tax Administration, pay the autovero (with 15 days from the decision), pass the registration inspection, and then complete registration. Customs sends the registration permission electronically to Traficom, and the vehicle can be registered at the inspection station.
You’ll also need the vehicle title, proof of identity (identity card or passport), proof of valid traffic insurance, and the car tax payment confirmation. The vehicle must be registered before the driving rights granted by the declaration of use expire.
If all of this sounds like a lot to process, don’t worry! With agents in Finland, the US, and abroad, the team at CFR Classic can assist with inspections, compliance requirements, and the full registration process.
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Car Overseas Now!
Our agents are ready to answer any questions you have! Pop in your vehicle’s details below and we’ll get you a free quick quote for your car shipment within 24 hours.
Finland Car Shipping FAQ
Common QuestionsEverything commonly asked about shipping a car from the US to Finland.
Should I use escrow or a secure payment service when buying a car overseas?
Using a secure payment service is highly recommended. Services like CFR SafePay act as a trusted intermediary—verifying the seller, confirming the vehicle details, and holding funds until everything checks out—helping protect you from fraud.
Are there special considerations for shipping electric vehicles?
Yes. Electric vehicles are classified as hazardous cargo due to their batteries, which means:
- Additional documentation is required
- Shipping costs may be higher
- Some carriers have restrictions or require special containers
- Working with an experienced shipper is essential for EV transport.
Can I ship a new car overseas?
Yes, but you’ll need proper ownership documents, such as:
- Vehicle title or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MSO)
- Notarized bill of sale
- Proof of full payment
- In many cases, it’s easier to ship once the official title is issued.
Is air freight available for car shipping?
Yes. Air freight is the fastest option, delivering vehicles in days instead of weeks. However, it is significantly more expensive than ocean shipping and is typically used for high-value or time-sensitive vehicles.
Do departure and arrival ports affect shipping cost?
Yes. Popular shipping routes are usually more affordable due to higher volume and efficiency. Less common routes can cost more due to limited availability.
Is it cheaper to import a car or buy one locally in Finland?
It depends. Importing can make sense for:
- Classic or specialty vehicles
- Personal vehicles during relocation (often tax-exempt)
However, for standard vehicles, taxes, duties, and modification costs can make local purchasing more economical.
Do I need marine insurance?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended. Carrier liability is limited (often around $500), which may not cover your vehicle’s value. Marine insurance typically costs about 1–2% of the car’s value and provides full protection during transit.
What is EU “mutual recognition” for vehicles?
Mutual recognition means that if a vehicle is approved in one EU country, it can generally be registered in another without additional testing. This simplifies importing within the EU, though compliance with local regulations is still required.
What is the Finnish car tax (autovero)?
The autovero is Finland’s car tax, assessed by the Finnish Tax Administration and payable by the importer. It is calculated based on the vehicle’s general retail value in Finland and its CO₂ emissions, so the final amount can vary considerably between cars. It must be paid before the vehicle can be registered for use in Finland and is separate from import duty and VAT.
Addtional Resources
Explore moreWe’ve rounded up some extra guides, handy tools, and useful links to help you keep rolling. Check them out below.
Joey has spent his entire teen and adult life in cars. Joey’s father owned a Jeep store, and Joey had his own used car lot that he ran himself from age 22 until I was 30. At 30 years old, Joey got “out of” the car business and joined CFR Rinkens. Joey started when there were only 9 people at CFR, but the company grew to over 150 employees during his time there.
When Joey started, CFR Rinkens was shipping about 40 vehicles per week from Los Angeles. Joey established locations in Houston, Miami, and New York and within the first year, CFR went to shipping 150 cars per week. Joey started as a customer service rep and later moved up to sales manager, operations manager, and marketing manager.
Joey then moved to Europe for two years and spent the entire time traveling through Europe meeting with clients. In 2022, Joey and his partners purchased CFR Classic from CFR Rinkens and he returned to California to watch over the operation more closely.