Estonia
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Tallinn
Tallinn has close ferry and road links to Finland and Sweden in addition to its airport.
Services in Tallinn
- Air freight in TallinnAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in TallinnFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in TallinnImport 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 Tallinn
- AirportTallinn Airport
TLL - SeaportPort of TallinnMuuga Harbour
Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL) is Estonia's main airport and air cargo gateway, with belly cargo on passenger flights to European hubs and freighter services. Long-haul freight usually connects via Helsinki or a continental hub. For sea freight, the Port of Tallinn operates Muuga Harbour, Estonia's main cargo and container port, the Old City Harbour with frequent ferries to Helsinki and Stockholm, and Paldiski South Harbour with ro-ro links to Sweden.
The Via Baltica (E67) runs south from Tallinn towards Pärnu and Riga, the E20 leads east to Narva, and the E263 connects the capital with Tartu. Muuga Harbour is rail-connected. Ferry and ro-ro services link Tallinn with Finland and Sweden, carrying trucks and trailers. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Tallinn and Harju County.
Industries in Tallinn and how we support them
Tallinn is the centre of Estonia's digital economy, with technology companies and start-ups, and has a strong electronics manufacturing sector, including contract manufacturers and an Ericsson production site. Wood processing and timber products are major exports from the region. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight through our airline network via Tallinn or Helsinki, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for electronics and prototypes, sea freight via Muuga Harbour, road freight via the ferries to Finland and Sweden, and in-house customs clearance with the Estonian Tax and Customs Board.
Operational logistics facts for Tallinn
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport (TLL) | Belly and freighter cargo | Estonia's main air cargo gateway |
| Muuga Harbour | Containers and bulk | Estonia's main cargo port, rail-connected |
| Tallinn ferry terminals | Ferries and ro-ro to Finland and Sweden | Road freight to the Nordic countries by sea |
| Tallinn electronics sector | Contract electronics manufacturing | Urgent components by NFO or OBC |
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
Can air freight fly directly from Tallinn?
Yes, for many European destinations Tallinn (TLL) offers belly or freighter capacity. Long-haul shipments usually connect via Helsinki or a continental hub. Shipments move as air freight through our airline network, and we confirm cut-off times with every booking.
Does winter weather affect departures from Tallinn?
Yes, de-icing between November and March can delay departures. We plan urgent shipments with this in mind and keep you informed of any changes.
Can you send electronic components from Tallinn urgently?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out on the first available flight with customs pre-lodged, or an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the parts. Battery and dangerous-goods status are checked before collection.
Who clears imports arriving at Tallinn Airport or Muuga?
Our own customs team files the import declaration with the Estonian Tax and Customs Board under the EU Union Customs Code. We need your EORI number, the commercial invoice, packing list and transport document.
Are customs formalities needed on the ferries to Finland?
Estonia and Finland are both EU members, so goods in free circulation travel without customs formalities. Non-EU goods or exports need the correct transit or export documents, which we prepare.
Do electronics exports from Estonia need licences?
Some electronic and encryption products are dual-use and need an export licence for destinations outside the EU. We check the classification and include the licence reference on the declaration.