Shipping To Iceland: Efficient Guide and Cargo Services

Iceland, one of the five Nordic countries, is an island nation located at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean, with its economy primarily centered around marine fisheries. China has established trade relations with Iceland, and in recent years, the trade volume has shown an increase. The main products exported from China to Iceland include machinery and electrical products, furniture, toys, miscellaneous manufactured items, textiles, and raw materials.

Consult Shipping Services to Iceland from China.

2025 Update: Shipping costs from China to Iceland

The latest Rate Shipping to Iceland from China

Shipping costs from China to Iceland are influenced by the choice of shipping method, the type of cargo, and the volume and weight level of the shipments. The above is an updated summary of the potential costs you can anticipate in 2025.

Latest Reminder

Please note that the biggest traditional Chinese holiday, the Chinese New Year, is coming up soon. There will be around 7-30 days of holiday in China(13 Jua.-12 Feb.). As a result, factories close down and shipping rates from China to Iceland may slightly increase around this period. Shipping schedules might also be adjusted. Jike, please remind everyone to pay attention to shipping plans and arrange your shipments.

2025 Update: Shipping time from China to Iceland

For urgent or time-sensitive shipments, air freight and express delivery are the fastest options to Iceland. Their average transit time is 3 to 10 days. While quicker, they are generally more expensive. Sea freight is most cost-effective for larger, non-urgent shipments with 35-45 days of transit time. So, you should choose a suitable shipping method based on your time schedule and cost budget.

Cost-saving Tips: When is the best time to ship from China to Iceland?

Compared with the peak season, shipping goods in below China’s off-season is the best choice.

• February to April

  The China freight market typically enters a slow season after the Chinese New Year. This is because production and procurement activities usually recover slowly after the CNY, leading to a decrease in logistics demand. This slow season generally lasts until mid-spring, typically from February to April.

  
  

• June to September

  This is the period after the second Golden Week and before the back-to-school season. During this period, sellers and consumers are not in a hurry to sell or buy goods from China to Icela, so shipping costs will also be cheaper.

  
  

• Late December:

  Right after Christmas, the demand for goods decreases as the holiday peak has passed and demand declines.

As a professional freight forwarding company based in China, Jike Logistics specializes in shipments to Iceland We know when and how to ship your goods from China to Iceland to save costs.

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Contact us to ship your goods.

Shipping to Iceland——Key Steps to Successful Entry into Arctic Lands

Before shipping to Iceland, we need to be ready to cope with any problems that may occur during the shipment, which requires to a great deal of personal experience. If you are a beginner, please contact us; we are confident enough to lead you through an unhindered trip! When you are preparing goods for export to Iceland, you need to consider:

● Clearance Document Preparation: 

Before your goods arrive in Iceland, you will need to prepare a series of clearance documents such as invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and certificates of origin. These documents will be used to declare and verify the nature, value, and source of your goods.

● Customs Declaration: 

You will need to submit an electronic customs declaration to Icelandic Customs before your goods arrive in Iceland. The declaration includes information about your goods, such as their description, quantity, and value. This step is crucial to ensure that your goods enter Iceland's territory legally.

● Prohibited Import Items: 

Iceland prohibits the import of certain items such as narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, and more. You must ensure that your goods do not include any prohibited import items.

● Payment of Fees: 

The customs clearance process may involve various fees, including customs agent fees and clearance procedure fees. You need to be aware of these fees and ensure timely payment.

In summary, customs clearance in Iceland is a crucial step to ensure the legal entry of your goods into Icelandic territory. It involves a series of procedures and requirements. To facilitate a smooth clearance process, we recommend preparing all necessary documents and information in advance. We here strongly advise you to collaborate with a professional freight forwarder like Jike Logistics to ensure seamless shipping and import.

Why do you need a freight forwarder for transport from China to Iceland？

A freight forwarder can reduce risks, manage the process, and solve problems when needed, making the complex process of shipping from China to Iceland easier.

When choosing a freight forwarder, it is very important to look for one with rich experience in China-Iceland shipping, comprehensive services including customs clearance, and strong customer service that can communicate effectively and resolve issues.

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Why are we one of the Top Chinese freight forwarders shipping from China to Iceland?

1. Tailored Solutions

Currently, 42% of our staff have more than 10 years of freight shipping experience from China to Iceland. We have worked on various shipping projects for different kinds of cargo.

No matter what your cargo is, what shipping method you want, and where your shipment goes in Iceland, as long as they are shipping from China, our experts will optimize the best shipping solution to meet your specific shipping needs. 

2. Competitive Rates

Optimizing your shipping costs is also our top mission in shipping from China to Iceland. We have yearly contracts with airlines and ship-owners in the Sino-Iceland route. To some extent, we have cheaper First Leg Shipping in China and Iceland.

We have also been partnering with renowned carriers and agencies in Iceland. With rich shipping experience, we know how to clear and deliver your shipments to Iceland in capable hands at competitive prices.

Jike Offers Comprehensive Services:

• Strategic Offices Across China

• Cost-Effective Consolidated Pickup Service

• Providing shipping advice and important notes before transport

• assist with verifying import/export documents

• Flexible Storage and Repackaging Solutions

• Customized Shipping Options

• Timely Tracking and Update

• 24/7 Customer Support

Air Freight/Express Shipping to Iceland from China

Speed: 

Air shipping is one of the fastest ways to transport goods. Items can reach Iceland in a short amount of time, making it suitable for urgent deliveries and high-time-sensitive products.

Traceability: 

Air shipping typically provides robust tracking and monitoring systems, allowing you to stay updated on the location and status of your cargo.

Security: 

Goods in air transportation are subject to stringent security controls, reducing the risk of loss or damage.

Suitable for Long Distances: 

Air shipping is ideal for long-distance transport, especially when goods need to be transported from other continents or international regions to Iceland.

Arrival Airports

Iceland has several international airports, with two main ones being:

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Sea Freight Shipping to Iceland from China

Cost-Effective: 

Sea shipping is typically more cost-effective than air freight. It is often the more competitive choice for bulk cargo or large-volume shipments.

Suitable for Large Quantities: 

Sea shipping has a large capacity, making it suitable for transporting large quantities of goods, oversized equipment, and bulk cargo.

Environmentally Friendly: 

Compared to air transport, sea shipping usually has a smaller carbon footprint and lower environmental impact.

Stability: 

Sea shipping schedules are less susceptible to seasonal or weather-related disruptions compared to air transport, providing more predictability.

Arrival Ports

Iceland has several major ports, with two significant ones including:

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What is the cheapest way to ship to Iceland from China?

If you want to achieve the most cost-effective transportation from China to Iceland without considering the time it takes, then you should opt for sea freight. This is because sea freight from China to Iceland is the most familiar and cost-effective mode of transportation for imports and exports, as opposed to air freight. There are additional advantages as well, such as significant cost savings if you choose full-container shipping. However, it's important to note that sometimes sea freight from China to Iceland may not be suitable for transporting containers, such as when dealing with bulk or loose materials.

What is the starting point for Icelandic customs duties？

Icelandic customs duties range from 0% to 76%, with an average rate of 10%. Duties on certain goods are levied in units of measurement. The standard VAT rate on imports into Iceland is 24%, which is the sum of the CIF price and the customs duty. Food and books are subject to a reduced VAT rate of 11%. There is no threshold for customs duties in Iceland, but import duties and taxes are payable regardless of the value of the imported goods.

What are the prohibited items for shipping from China to Iceland?

The prohibited items for shipping from China to Iceland typically vary depending on Icelandic and international laws and regulations, as well as the policies of shipping companies.

1. Hazardous Materials: This category includes flammable, explosive, toxic, or corrosive substances like chemicals, explosives, gas canisters, matches, fireworks, and the like.

2. Illegal Drugs: Any unlicensed drugs or drugs regulated by international or local authorities fall into this category.

3. Weapons and Ammunition: This includes firearms, ammunition, knives, and other dangerous weapons.

4. Illegal Flora and Fauna and Their Products: This involves endangered wildlife and products derived from them. Importing these without proper permits or compliance certificates may be illegal.

5. Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Unauthorized copies, counterfeit, pirated goods, and items infringing on intellectual property rights fall into this category.

6. Hazardous Waste: Improperly managed and unlicensed disposal of waste materials is considered hazardous.

7. Frozen Foods: Frozen food items that require special permits.

8. Prohibited Pharmaceuticals: This category encompasses illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and other controlled substances.9. Cultural and Historical Artifacts: Antiques, artwork, and cultural heritage items require legal permits or compliance documents for import.

10. Other Prohibited Items: Depending on international and local regulations, there may be additional specific prohibited items.

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Is shipping price to Iceland from China fixed?

Keep in mind that freight rates are seasonal and fluctuate regularly throughout the year.

Incident Impact on shipping when:

1. Chinese New Year: Factories and transshipment centers will be closed for several weeks due to the festivities, causing price spikes and delays Late January/early February (exact dates depend on the lunar calendar). 

2. Dragon Boat: Festival Businesses usually close for three days, which can cause delays June (exact dates depend on the lunar calendar) 

3. Golden Week: This week-long festival exacerbates price spikes and delays during the vacation period October 1 and the following week

4. Holiday shopping season: Prices rise steadily over a period of months as businesses prepare for holiday shopping October-December (air), July-December (sea)

What are Incoterms and how do they affect freight prices from China to Iceland?

When comparing freight quotes, consider the level of service offered by the carrier.

For example, if you are shipping from Shenzhen in China, you should ask your supplier about the cost difference between shipping from the supplier's warehouse in Shenzhen - which means that the Incoterm EXW is used - and shipping from the port of Shenzhen - which means that the Incoterm FOB is used.

Prices for FOB are usually lower, but shipping as FOB does not necessarily mean that your overall costs are lower. The cost advantage could disappear if you have to pay your supplier to bring your goods to the port. Consider all costs when comparing prices.

Note that some Incoterms, including FOB, are only used for sea freight.

Learn all about Incoterms here.

Do I need insurance when shipping from China to Iceland?

When calculating your shipping costs, don't forget to cover yourself in case your goods are damaged or lost. 

You can cover insurance through your freight forwarder or an insurance agent. Insurance costs are usually around 0.3%*1.1 of the invoice value, i.e. the amount you paid for the goods.

What documents are required for shipping from China to Iceland?

The required shipping documents depend on the route and local customs regulations for what you are shipping.

Some of the most commonly required documents shipping from China to Iceland are the shipping label, the original invoice(s) of the item(s), the packing list, the Certificate of Origin, and a customs declaration if applicable. 

How can I check the current status of a shipment from China to Iceland?

You can track your parcel import from China easily and free of charge via our shipment tracking - regardless of whether you are sending via standard or express rates.

In addition to tracking shipments with the renowned shipping service providers UPS, DHL Express, and FedEx, you can also easily check the shipment status of more than 500 other shipping service providers via shipment tracking.

You can also track your ocean freight shipment on this platform: https://www.track-trace.com/. Enter your container number or Bill of Lading number into the blank, and you will get real-time tracking of your shipment. If what you have is only the vessel name, you can enter the vessel name on www.marinetraffic.com, and you can see the real-time tracking. If your ocean freight shipment is delayed or lost, our customer service team will work with you to resolve the issue and provide updates on the status of the shipment.

If you have any questions, our customer service team will be happy to help you personally.

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How to keep costs and delivery times from China to Iceland low?

1. 1. Book in advance.

2. Shipping by sea is the cheapest, but also takes the longest. Booking in advance will save you money - and reduce stress if there are delays.

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4. 2. Ship outside peak times

5. When carriers are busy, both shipping prices and transit times increase. Ship off-peak whenever possible.

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7. 3. Get your paperwork in order.

8. Complete and correct documentation can be crucial for fast customs clearance.

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10. 4. Find out about the HS codes for your shipment.

11. Many shippers are surprised at the impact customs duties can have on business costs. Inform yourself so that you can budget effectively.

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13. 5. Compare quotes from different providers.

14. Quotes can vary. Check quotes from different providers before making a decision.

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16. 6. Find out what is included in your quote.

17. Is your offer port-to-port or door-to-door? What services are included? Find out what you are paying for to avoid surprises.

Conclusion

From vibrant China to the enchanting landscapes of Iceland, we guarantee the safe and reliable transport of your cargo, unlocking endless business possibilities. Shipping to Iceland, when you partner with us, you gain access to a seasoned team dedicated to guiding your cargo every step of the way. Our expertise ensures a smooth passage through Icelandic customs, paving the way for your business to embark on a prosperous new journey. Let's collaborate with Jike for an easy and hassle-free shipping!

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