Estonia
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Pärnu
Pärnu exports timber and furniture; its harbour can need icebreaker support in hard winters.
Services in Pärnu
- Air freight in PärnuAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in PärnuFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in PärnuImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Pärnu
- AirportTallinn
TLL - SeaportPort of Pärnu
Pärnu, on Estonia's south-west coast, has a small airport (EPU) with limited traffic, so air freight is trucked by road to Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL) or, depending on the routing, to Riga International Airport in Latvia. The Port of Pärnu handles timber, wood products and general cargo. In hard winters the harbour can freeze and need icebreaker support, so Muuga Harbour near Tallinn is the alternative for sea freight.
Pärnu lies on the Via Baltica (E67), which links the city with Tallinn to the north and Riga to the south. Route 59 and other regional roads serve the surrounding county. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Pärnu and Pärnu County.
Industries in Pärnu and how we support them
Pärnu and its county are known for wood processing, timber exports and furniture manufacturing, together with food production and some light industry. Many of these goods are exported to Scandinavia and Western Europe by sea or road. Ziem Logistics supports these companies with sea freight via the Port of Pärnu or Muuga Harbour, road freight along the Via Baltica, air freight through our airline network via Tallinn or Riga, Next Flight Out for urgent machinery parts, and in-house customs clearance for exports to non-EU markets.
Operational logistics facts for Pärnu
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Pärnu | Timber, wood products, general cargo | Local port for wood and furniture exports |
| Via Baltica (E67) | Road corridor between Tallinn and Riga | Direct road freight to the Baltic capitals and Poland |
| Pärnu wood and furniture industry | Sawn timber, furniture | Exports to Scandinavia and Western Europe |
| Tallinn Airport (TLL) | Belly and freighter cargo | Main air cargo gateway reached by road |
Customs clearance in Estonia
In-house customs team
Customs clearance in Estonia is handled by our own in-house customs team.
Air freight to and from Estonia is booked through our carrier network.
Importers in Estonia need an EORI number issued by the Estonian Tax and Customs Board.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport do you use for air freight from Pärnu?
Usually Tallinn (TLL), or Riga in Latvia when it offers a better routing; both are reached along the Via Baltica. Shipments move as air freight through our airline network, and we confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Can you get urgent machinery parts to a sawmill or factory in Pärnu?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out into Tallinn or Riga with customs pre-lodged, or an On-Board Courier, and arrange delivery to your site once the goods are released.
Do you collect across Pärnu County?
Yes. We arrange pick-up across Pärnu County and truck freight along the Via Baltica to Tallinn or Riga for air freight, or to the port for sea freight.
Can you clear exports of wood products from Pärnu?
Yes. Our own customs team prepares export declarations with the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Some destinations require phytosanitary certificates for wood products or packaging, which we check with you.
Does winter ice affect shipments through the Port of Pärnu?
In hard winters, typically January to March, the harbour can freeze and need icebreaker support. We plan seasonal shipments with this in mind and can route via Muuga Harbour instead.
Can you clear imports for Pärnu companies arriving at Tallinn?
Yes. We file the import declaration in-house, coordinate release at Tallinn and arrange road transport to Pärnu once the goods are cleared.