01 — Short answer
How goods move from Vietnam to Finland
Import from Vietnam to Finland works in practice in two ways. Sea freight (FCL or LCL) is the cheapest option: the shipment travels from a Vietnamese port — for example Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) or Hai Phong — to a European import port and on to Finland. Air freight suits urgent, valuable and light shipments. Typical transit times are indicatively around 35–45 days by sea and around 6–10 days by air — the actual time depends on the route, the season and the transhipment port. In between sits SEA-AIR combined transport, which balances price and speed.
02 — Transport modes
Sea freight, air freight and SEA-AIR
The transit times below are indicative and typical for the industry — the actual time and price depend on the route, season, shipping line or airline, and the size of the shipment. Use the table as a guideline, not as a quote.
| Factor | Sea freight | Air freight |
|---|---|---|
| Transit time | Indicatively about 35–45 days (+ customs and final delivery) | Indicatively about 6–10 days (+ customs and final delivery) |
| Cost | Cheapest, especially for large consignments | Pricier; worthwhile for small and urgent consignments |
| Best when | Large / heavy consignments, no rush, cost is the priority | Urgent, valuable or light shipments |
| Form | FCL (full container) or LCL (part load, from about 1 m³) | No container minimum; suits small consignments too |
| Port / airport of departure | e.g. Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai), Hai Phong → Europe → Finland | e.g. Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Hanoi (HAN) → Europe → Finland |
| Charged by | Volume/weight, per m³ for LCL; per container for FCL | Volumetric (dimensional) weight |
Indicative — the actual time and price depend on the route, season and size of the shipment. Between sea and air, SEA-AIR combined transport is often a good fit.
03 — EVFTA
EVFTA — the EU–Vietnam free trade agreement
Vietnam is one of the few Asian countries with an active free trade agreement with the EU. EVFTA (the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement) has been in force since 2020, and it removes or gradually reduces duties on most product groups. For an importer, this can mean a substantially lower duty than for many other Asian sourcing countries — but the benefit is not automatic.
To benefit from the reduced duty, the importer must present an approved proof of origin. In practice this is often a statement on origin made by the exporter under the REX system (registered exporter). Origin rules and product-specific duties vary by product group, so the duty benefit and the documents required should be checked per product before importing. We help work out whether the conditions are met for your shipment.
04 — Customs and EORI
Customs, EORI and VAT
When you import goods from outside the EU, such as from Vietnam, the importer needs an EORI number for customs clearance. The EORI number is applied for from Customs, and your freight forwarder handles the actual customs declaration on your behalf. On import, duty is charged on the customs value of the goods (which EVFTA may remove or reduce), together with VAT. The Incoterms rule (for example FOB, CIF or DDP) determines who arranges the transport and clearance and where responsibility transfers. We are happy to advise which delivery term suits your shipment.
Consolidation from multiple suppliers
In Vietnam, sourcing is often spread across several suppliers and factories in different parts of the country. Instead of every consignment shipping separately, we combine the shipments into one.
- We collect goods from several suppliers in Vietnam
- We combine the consignments into a single consolidated shipment
- One transport, one set of documents and one customs clearance all the way
- Savings on freight costs and less administrative work
- Suits both LCL part loads and full FCL containers by sea
06 — Dangerous goods
Electronics and batteries: a DGR note
Vietnam is a significant manufacturing country for electronics and battery-powered devices, and it is exactly those that need special attention. Lithium batteries and many battery-powered electronics are classified as dangerous goods. Air freight is governed by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR), which restrict or forbid the carriage of certain lithium batteries and other hazard classes on aircraft. For sea freight the rules (IMDG) are different, and many products restricted by air can be shipped by sea when properly packed.
In practice, for a DGR shipment the mode of transport, classification, packing and documents must be planned together and in advance — not after the fact. Take a look at our DGR packing service if your shipment contains batteries or other goods classified as dangerous.
07 — How we help
How Lotrekka helps
We are a Helsinki-based freight forwarder. You get a single point of contact who handles the whole chain from Vietnam to Finland — sea freight, air freight or the SEA-AIR combination, consolidation from multiple suppliers, customs, and the EVFTA and DGR documents. We compare the options for you and recommend the most sensible transport mode for your shipment.
08 — FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does freight take from Vietnam to Finland?
Sea freight from Vietnam to Finland typically takes around 35–45 days, and air freight around 6–10 days. These figures are indicative and depend on the route, the shipping line or airline, the season, and whether the sea freight routes via a European transhipment port. On top of that come pickup, customs clearance and final delivery to the door.
Sea or air freight from Vietnam?
Choose sea freight when the consignment is large or heavy and not urgent — it is clearly the cheapest way. Choose air freight when the shipment is urgent, valuable or light. For most import from Vietnam, sea freight is the default, and air freight is used when time matters more than money. In between sits SEA-AIR combined transport.
What does EVFTA mean for an importer?
EVFTA is the free trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam, in force since 2020, which removes or gradually reduces duties on most products. To benefit from the reduced duty, the importer must present an approved proof of origin — in practice often a statement on origin made by the exporter under the REX system. Product-specific duties and origin rules should be checked per product.
Do I need an EORI number?
Yes. When you import goods from outside the EU, such as from Vietnam, the importer needs an EORI number for customs clearance. The EORI number is applied for from Customs, and your freight forwarder handles the actual customs declaration on your behalf. On import, VAT and any duty are also charged.
Can electronics or batteries be sent by air freight?
Some can, some are restricted. Lithium batteries and many battery-powered electronics are dangerous goods that the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA DGR) restrict in air freight. Carriage may be possible when properly classified, packed and marked, or alternatively by sea freight, where the rules (IMDG) are different. Classification and packing must be planned in advance.
Get in touch
Tell us what you need to import from Vietnam.
Send the cargo details and destination — we compare sea, air and SEA-AIR and give you a transit time and a price. We also handle customs, the EVFTA documents and consolidation from multiple suppliers.