International move: moving abroad & moving from abroad to Finland

We recommend letting us handle all packing for you. During the assessment visit, we’ll determine the number of boxes and packing materials needed, as well as any other relevant details for your move.

Unfortunately, if you pack items yourself, we cannot provide insurance coverage. If you prefer to pack some items yourself while maintaining insurance coverage, you may pack non-fragile items such as books and clothes. In this case, please leave the boxes open to be checked and sealed to our staff.

If moving inside the EU, VAT will have to be paid according to the origin country. For example, when moving from Finland to Sweden, the VAT rate is 25.5% and when moving from Sweden to Finland, the VAT rate is 25%. Moves outside the EU do not include VAT. Diplomats are entitled to tax-free service, subject to certain restrictions. For business relocations, VAT is determined by the country in which the business is registered.

Victor Ek offers insurance for your belongings. The insurance premium is based on the current market value of your effects plus you can also insure the moving costs in the very unlikely instance of a disaster. A small deductible applies.

The duration depends entirely on the destination country. A move from Finland to Sweden can be completed in a few days, and in turn, a shipment to Australia takes around 9-12 weeks.

Documentation requirements vary by country. Victor Ek’s experienced coordinators are familiar with country-specific requirements and will assist you throughout the process, as well as our strong network of professional partners around the World.

You can transport your car in a sea container. A 20′ container can accommodate approximately 5 cubic meters of household goods in addition to your car, while a 40′ container can hold about 25-30 cubic meters. Importing a vehicle requires specific documentation, which Victor Ek will help you prepare. Stricter regulations have recently been introduced for sea transport of vehicles. Our coordinators and sales staff can provide guidance on these matters.

We do not recommend including liquids, as they may spill or freeze and damage other items. Food items are also not recommended. Dry food and spices should be checked against destination country regulations. Air shipments are subject to stricter regulations than sea shipments.

Alcohol is normally subject to a declaration and payment of duties and taxes. This can cause delays and additional port storage costs, so is not recommended.