While Finland is far from the biggest market in the EU, it’s the 38th largest eCommerce market. Experts expect revenue to grow about 8.8% by 2027 and reach a total of $9.88 billion. If you want to be one step ahead, entering the Finnish market now is a good idea.
There are a few reasons why expanding your market to Finland is smart. First of all, about 70% of the population speaks English. That’s great news for brands that don’t want to localise their store. Secondly, Finland’s time zone is only two hours ahead of the UK, making delivery logistics a bit smoother.
If you’re considering sending parcels from the UK to Finland, you have come to the right place. This article will tell you everything you need to know about the process, including shipping post-Brexit and formatting addresses correctly.
Shipping to Finland Post Brexit
Unfortunately, shipping from the UK to Finland is not as easy as it was pre-Brexit. Now, you must declare all goods to Finnish customs. You may need a few other documents, including a valuation declaration and a commercial invoice. A business sending goods from the UK must also have an EORI number (Operators Registration and Identification). This number is necessary when you are declaring imported goods.
In terms of fees, the good news is that duty fees are typically only applied to goods over €150. Another big change in regulations is that goods shipped to Finland may be subject to VAT (Value Added Tax). The rate in Finland is typically 24%.
We recommend using the EU’s Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) to make this process easier. You can either register through Pro Carrier or sign up yourself; the process is pretty straightforward.
There are certain goods you can’t send to Finland. These include:
- Hazardous waste
- Firearms
- Marijuana and other illegal drugs
- Perishable goods
- Furs
- Ivory
If you still have questions about what you can send to Finland, speak to a cross-border delivery expert like Pro Carrier.
How Long Does It Take to Send a Parcel to Finland?
Even with the additional customs documents you must prepare for each order, shipping to Finland from the UK won’t take long at all.
Standard delivery typically takes two to five business days. But your customers don’t even have to wait that long. If you want to pay a little extra, express delivery can be as quick as one business day.
The exact delivery time will depend on the courier service you choose and what kind of parcel you’re sending.
What Courier Services are Available in Finland?
Since Finland has an established eCommerce market, there are several couriers to choose from when shipping from the UK. At Pro Carrier, we work with the best carrier suitable for the eCommerce methods and needs specific to Finland.
How to Format a Finnish Address
When sending a parcel from the UK to Finland, it’s vital to format the address correctly. There are a few differences between UK and Finnish addresses that you’ll need to be aware of.
The main difference is that you write the city name after the postal code on the same line. Furthermore, the five-digit postal code is preceded by the letters “FI”; this is the ISO country code for Finland.
Overall, there is a maximum of six lines in a Finnish address; however, the typical address only requires four lines. Here is the order: addressee name, supplementary information, forwarding information, delivery address, postal code and city name, and country.
Here’s an example of a typical Finnish address:
John Doe
Hiomotie 10a
FI-50100 HELSINKI
FINLAND
Public Holidays in Finland to Note
Finland has several national and regional public holidays that retailers should be aware of. Find a list of every major holiday below:
- New Year’s Day
- Epiphany
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- May Day
- Ascension Day
- Pentecost Sunday
- Midsummer Day
- All Saints’ Day
- Independence Day
- Christmas Day
- Second Day of Christmas
How Can You Track Your Finland Parcel Delivery
In terms of tracking your shipment from the UK to Finland, it’s best to use a service like Pro Carrier.
The Pro Carrier customer portal allows retailers to manage and monitor each delivery; all you have to do is enter your parcel tracking number. You will find all the information you need on the dashboard, including detailed reports and the status of your order.
Your customers will also receive updates at regular intervals, all in their local language.
Ship to Finland with Pro Carrier
Eager to enter the eCommerce market in Finland and expand your business? Pro Carrier can help.
We provide a cross-border eCommerce solution that seamlessly integrates with your current platform and allows you to manage all your deliveries from one easy-to-use dashboard. Pro Carrier offers real-time visibility into the logistics of your operations and allows you to edit orders anytime.
Learn more about how Pro Carrier can help you send parcels to Finland by speaking to an expert today.
