moving to helsinki, finland from new york

Are you moving to Finland from New York and in need of a professional overseas moving company to help you get there?

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We’d love to make your move to/from Finland  as seamless and stress-free as possible.

If you are looking for a free estimate, go here to calculate it.

What to Expect When Moving to Finland from New York
Are you looking to relocate from the Tri-State area to Helsinki or another city in Finland, NY International Shipping is at your service, bringing over a decade of specialization in relocating individuals, families and corporate employees to and from destinations worldwide. NY International Shipping is reliable, experienced and courteous, making your overseas moving experience as stress-free and simple as possible. If you have any questions regarding moving to Finland, please feel free to contact us. We are always available to answer questions and would be more than happy to provide you with a free quote.
If you’re planning on moving to Finland you probably want to know a bit about this Nordic country and what you can expect after moving overseas. Finland, the capital of which is Helsinki, is located in Northern Europe.

Moving to Helsinki, Finland
It is bordered by Sweden, Norway, Russia and Estonia. The official language in Finland is Finnish with Swedish as a secondary language. Finland’s climate is fairly cool and temperate with cold winters and warm, humid summers. Because Finland has lush forests, there is a wealth of different native plants and animals. Finland is a large European country with a population of just over 5 million, so it is fairly sparsely settled, with the majority of the population settling in a more concentrated group in the large cities—Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Tampere, Turku and Oulu. Finland has a strong economy that is primarily supported by services, then refining and manufacturing. Healthcare in Finland is held to high standards and is provided primarily through a government funded program, though smaller private sectors exist. Like much of Europe, Finland’s currency is the Euro. Consult your international relocation specialist regarding the best way to go about exchanging your money for Euros. Although citizens of European Union countries are not required to attain visas prior to moving to Finland, everyone else will need to apply for a visa before moving overseas to Finland. NY International Shipping suggests you contact your local Finnish Consulate to discuss the different types of visas available to determine which is best for your particular situation. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to apply for your Finnish visa prior to moving to Finland as processing time can be quite lengthy.

What to Look for in an Moving Company When Moving to/from Finland

Finding the right overseas moving company can be tricky, but NY International Shipping has some great tips that should help get your search started off on the right foot. You should definitely look for an overseas moving company that is connected and well-versed in international moving solutions at all times. You want to find a company that is not limited as to where they can transport your shipment from and to, so having an extensive global network of international moving agents is vital! You also want to make sure that you go with an overseas moving company that specializes in international moving, not one that does it in addition to domestic moving. Perhaps most importantly, it is critical that you find an overseas mover that has a great track record of providing excellent customer service. In order to figure out who has the best customer service, the most specialization and offers the best all around overseas moving experience, you must dig a bit deeper. Though many overseas moving companies market themselves well, it is important that they have referrals from satisfied past clients to back up their claims. It’s also a good idea to check out third-party review sites which allow past clients to rate companies based on their experiences with them. Overseas moving companies that take their jobs seriously should be associated with industry-related organizations. NY International Shipping is affiliated with or holds a membership to the following groups:
• Employee Relocation Council/Worldwide ERC®
• Foreign Commerce Club of New York
• IAM (International Association of Movers)
• NY/NJ Foreign Freight Forwarders & Brokers Association Inc.
• YP 25 (Young International Movers)

Lastly, NY International Shipping always suggests that customers visit the overseas moving companies they are considering for moving to Finland with. Not only does it give you a first-person view of how the company conducts business, but it provides you with peace of mind knowing that the company is legitimate. Never trust an overseas moving company that does not have a physical office you can visit!

Ports: Helsinki

Prohibited: Narcotics, Drugs, Explosives, Pornographic

Cont: None

Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco

Required Documents: Inventory with exact number and sizes of bottles and containers

Customs Regulations: Owner has to pay full taxes and duties.

Clearance: 1 Day.

Remarks: If volume of alcoholic beverages exceeds 5 liters, a permit from the Alcoholic Monopole is required.

Diplomatic Removals

Required Documents: Obligation for Privilege to be lodged by the Foreign Ministry of Finland.

Clearance: 1 Day.

 

Firearms and Weapons

Required Documents: Valid Firearm Certificate issued to the owner by the Police authorities in Finland.

Clearance: 1 Day.

Remarks: If documents not available at the moment of import, the weapons will be taken by Customs and released only after receipt of the missing documents.

 

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Required Documents:

  1. Import Declaration [Customs form]
  2. Inventory of the goods with exact number of packages
  3. Copy of passport

 

Customs Regulations: Used household goods and personal effects in the owners’ use and possession abroad and for continued use of the owner in his new residence are permitted. Duty-free if in owner’s use for at least six months in the foreign country; if returning Finn, the length of stay abroad is a minimum of one year.

Clearance: 1 Day.

 

New Furniture

Required Documents:

  1. Sales invoice with prices, dates and place of purchase
  2. Separate packing list

Customs Regulations: New items (owned less than 6 months) are liable to payment of duties and VAT.

Clearance: 1 Day

 

Pets and Animals

Required Documents: (1) Health Certificate (2) Import Permit from Ministry of Agriculture

Customs Regulations: Duty-free if proof of ownership available.

Clearance: 1 Day

Remarks: Veterinarian inspection at port of Entry (Helsinki) required for all animals except cats and dogs. Cats and dogs must have valid vaccination against rabies. Forms for application of

Import Permit and rules are available from Ministry of Agriculture, Veterinary Dept. (FAX 358-

0-160 3338)

Vehicles

Required Documents:

  1. Certificate of Registration
  2. Sales Invoice with price, date and place of purchase
  3. Valid passport
  4. Traffic insurance policy valid in Finland

Customs Regulations: Duty-free if in owners’ use and possession abroad for more than one year. Only one vehicle per person.

Clearance: 1 Day

Remarks: If from Scandinavian countries, no regulations apply.

Please note:

The information on this page is intended as a guide and NOT as a complete or definitive resource.

The information on this page should not be used as an authoritative reference.

If you have any questions or would like to begin booking moving to Finland, feel free to contact us.

Written by Einat Mazafi
Einat Mazafi is the owner of NY International Shipping, an International Shipping and moving company based in New York. She is also a specialist in providing the best relocation solutions to clients worldwide.