International Shipping To Iceland
How to ship household goods to Iceland by sea or air freight, including verified carriers, duty-free customs rules, realistic costs, transit times, and a step-by-step shipping process.
Shipping your belongings to Iceland
Moving your household to Iceland means choosing between sea freight and air freight, clearing Icelandic customs, and deciding what is actually worth bringing across the Atlantic. The process is straightforward if you plan ahead, but slow and expensive if you don't.
This article covers the main shipping methods, verified carriers, customs and duty-free rules, costs, timelines, and what you cannot bring into the country.
Before committing to a full container, consider whether it makes more sense to rent a furnished apartment or buy household goods locally after you arrive. Shipping a full household from abroad can cost thousands of dollars and take weeks. For many people relocating to Iceland, bringing only personal items and buying furniture locally is the more practical choice.
For an overview of the full relocation process, see our guide to moving to Iceland.
Sea freight vs air freight
Most people shipping to Iceland choose one of two methods: sea freight for large shipments or air freight for small, time-sensitive items.
Sea freight is the standard for household moves. You can book a full container (FCL) or share space in a container with other shipments (LCL, or less-than-container-load). Sea freight handles furniture, appliances, boxes, and vehicles. It is significantly cheaper per kilogram than air freight, but slower.
Air freight is faster but far more expensive. It makes sense for small shipments (a few boxes of personal items, documents, or electronics) where the cost of waiting weeks for sea freight outweighs the higher per-kilogram price. DHL, FedEx, and Icelandair Cargo all handle air freight to Iceland.
Express couriers (DHL Express, FedEx) are the fastest option for individual packages and small shipments. Delivery typically takes two to four business days. Costs are high relative to weight, but for a single box of essentials you need immediately after arrival, they are the simplest choice.
In practice, many people use a combination: send the bulk of their belongings by sea, carry essentials in checked luggage, and ship a few urgent boxes by air or courier.
What shipping to Iceland costs
Shipping costs vary significantly depending on origin, volume, method, and time of year. The figures below are rough estimates to help you budget. Always get quotes from multiple carriers for your specific shipment.
Sea freight (container shipping)
Container size | Volume | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
20-foot (standard) | ~33 cubic metres | $3,800–$6,200 USD |
40-foot (standard) | ~67 cubic metres | $6,000–$9,800 USD |
40-foot high cube | ~76 cubic metres | $6,500–$10,500 USD |
These estimates cover port-to-port shipping from major European or North American ports. They do not include pickup, packing, local transport, insurance, or customs fees on either end. Door-to-door service, which includes collection from your home and delivery to your address in Iceland, typically adds $1,000–$3,000 USD depending on distance and access.
LCL (shared container) rates are charged per cubic metre or per pallet. For small shipments under 10 cubic metres, LCL is usually cheaper than booking a full container.
Seasonal pricing. Rates tend to be higher from July through October, when demand for North Atlantic shipping peaks. If your timeline is flexible, shipping in the off-season (November through April) may save money.
Air freight
Air freight rates to Iceland typically range from $4–$8 USD per kilogram, with minimum charges that make very small shipments proportionally expensive. A 50 kg shipment might cost $300–$500 USD. Express courier services (DHL, FedEx) charge more but include door-to-door delivery and tracking.
How long shipping to Iceland takes
Transit times depend on origin, carrier, and method. These are approximate ranges for the ocean transit portion only. Add one to two weeks on each end for pickup, port handling, customs clearance, and delivery.
Route | Sea freight (port-to-port) | Air freight |
|---|---|---|
Northern Europe (UK, Netherlands, Scandinavia) | 4–7 days | 1–2 days |
Southern/Central Europe | 7–14 days | 1–3 days |
US/Canada East Coast | 7–14 days | 2–4 days |
US/Canada West Coast | 14–21 days | 2–4 days |
Asia/Australia | 25–40 days | 3–5 days |
Total door-to-door time for a sea freight shipment from Europe is typically three to five weeks. From North America, expect four to seven weeks. These ranges include packing, local pickup, ocean transit, customs processing in Iceland, and final delivery.
Most container ships arrive at Sundahöfn (East Harbour) in Reykjavik, Iceland’s main cargo port. Eimskip and Samskip both operate container terminals there. The exception is Smyril Line Cargo, whose Ro-Ro ferry arrives at Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland.
Customs and duty-free rules
Iceland allows duty-free import of personal household goods under specific conditions. The rules are administered by the Directorate of Customs (Skatturinn).
Duty-free eligibility
To import household goods duty-free, all three conditions must be met:
You lived abroad for at least 12 months before moving to Iceland.
You owned the goods for at least 12 months before the move.
You import the goods within six months of establishing residence in Iceland. (The total import window is 12 months, but the first shipment must arrive within six months.)
If you meet these conditions, there is no limit on the value of goods you can bring in duty-free. Customs may ask for proof of foreign residence (obtainable from Registers Iceland) and proof of ownership (receipts, photos, or a dated inventory list).
Items owned less than 12 months
If some of your belongings are newer than 12 months, you can still import them, but they may be subject to duty and VAT. There is a duty-free allowance for newer items:
Adults (18+): goods valued up to 140,000 ISK (as of March 2026)
Children (under 18): goods valued up to 70,000 ISK
Anything above these thresholds is assessed at standard Icelandic customs rates plus 24% VAT. Iceland’s customs calculator can help estimate the duty on specific items.
What qualifies as household goods
The duty-free exemption covers moveable indoor possessions and household furnishings. This includes furniture, household appliances, electronics (TVs, computers, audio equipment), books, artworks, clothing, bicycles, sporting equipment, musical instruments, and personal collections.
It does not cover commercial goods, inventory for resale, vehicles (which have separate import rules and taxes), or alcohol and tobacco beyond personal allowances.
Documentation
Prepare a detailed inventory list of everything you are shipping. Include descriptions, approximate values, and approximate purchase dates. Customs officials may request this list at the port. Having it ready speeds up clearance.
What you cannot bring into Iceland
Iceland has strict import restrictions on certain goods, enforced to protect the island’s isolated ecosystem and disease-free livestock. The Directorate of Customs and MAST (the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority) publish the full list.
Prohibited items
Uncooked meat and meat products (including bacon, salami, smoked sausages, and deli meats). Meat must be fully cooked or canned to be imported. Smoking, salting, and drying are not sufficient.
Unpasteurized dairy products and raw eggs
Narcotics
Weapons and knives with blades over 12 cm
Restricted items requiring special attention
Used fishing equipment. Rods, reels, lures, waders, and angling tackle that have been used outside Iceland must be disinfected before entry. Approved disinfectants are Virkon-S or 70–85% alcohol. You need a certificate of disinfection from an authorized veterinary officer. If you arrive without a certificate, disinfection is available at Keflavik Airport. New, unused fishing equipment is exempt.
Used riding clothing and outdoor equipment. Gloves, boots, and waders previously used abroad also require disinfection with a veterinary certificate.
Plants. Cut flowers (up to 25 plants), bulbs (up to 2 kg, European origin, original packaging), and potted plants (up to 3, European origin) are allowed. Anything beyond these limits requires a health certificate and a permit from MAST.
If you are an angler or equestrian, deal with the disinfection paperwork before you leave. Getting a veterinary certificate abroad is easier than sorting it out at the airport or port.
Shipping carriers that operate to and from Iceland
The carrier list below includes companies verified as operating in 2026. For the most accurate quote, contact two or three carriers directly with your shipment details (origin, volume, and timeline).
Sea freight carriers
Carrier | Services | Notes |
|---|---|---|
FCL, LCL, door-to-door, warehousing | Iceland’s largest shipping company. Operates the main container terminal at Sundahöfn. 56 offices in 20 countries. | |
FCL, LCL, door-to-door, cold storage | Weekly sailings to Iceland from Northern Europe. Four vessels on regular routes. | |
Door-to-door sea and air freight, customs clearance, warehousing | Icelandic company operating since 1979. Offices in Denmark, UK, Netherlands, USA, Sweden, Norway. | |
Container, Ro-Ro, customs clearance | Weekly Rotterdam to Iceland schedule. Handles vehicles and oversized cargo via Ro-Ro. | |
Ro-Ro cargo, vehicles, refrigerated freight | The only Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) service in the North Atlantic. Good option for shipping a vehicle. Routes via Faroe Islands and Denmark. | |
LCL, FCL, vehicle shipping, luggage | Partners with major ocean carriers (Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd). Also handles air freight and parcels. |
Air freight and express carriers
Carrier | Services | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Air freight, cold chain logistics | Dedicated freighter aircraft plus lower-deck cargo on Icelandair passenger flights. Hub at Keflavik. | |
Express (2 business days), global forwarding | Full range: parcels, air freight, ocean freight. | |
Express (1–3 business days), customs clearance | International Priority service to Iceland. | |
Air and sea freight, customs clearance, fragile cargo | Icelandic freight forwarder. Specialises in complex and time-sensitive shipments. | |
Air freight, multi-carrier | Part of the Eimskip group (owned by TVG-Zimsen). Air cargo agent representing multiple carriers. |
Step-by-step process for shipping to Iceland
Decide what to bring. Review the household goods guide to decide what is worth shipping versus buying in Iceland. Factor in the cost of living when comparing prices.
Calculate your volume. Measure or estimate the cubic volume of your shipment. Carriers price sea freight by volume (cubic metres) or container size, not weight. Most moving companies can do an in-home survey or video assessment.
Get quotes from multiple carriers. Contact at least three carriers with your origin address, destination (Reykjavik/Sundahöfn), estimated volume, and preferred timeline. Compare door-to-door pricing, not just port-to-port.
Prepare your inventory list. List every item with a description, approximate value, and purchase date. This is required for customs clearance and for claiming the duty-free exemption.
Check your duty-free eligibility. Confirm you meet the 12-month residency and 12-month ownership rules. Gather supporting documents: proof of foreign residence, receipts for major items, and a signed declaration that the goods are for personal use.
Book shipping and arrange insurance. Standard carrier liability covers a fraction of your goods’ value. If you are shipping anything valuable, buy separate transit insurance. Your carrier or a marine insurance broker can arrange this.
Pack and ship. For FCL, the container is delivered to your home for loading. For LCL, you deliver your goods to the carrier’s warehouse or arrange pickup. Label everything clearly and keep a copy of your inventory.
Clear customs in Iceland. Your carrier or freight forwarder typically handles customs paperwork on your behalf. You may need to provide your kennitala (Iceland’s national ID number), your inventory list, and proof of residence. If everything is in order, clearance takes one to three business days.
Receive your shipment. For door-to-door service, the carrier delivers to your Icelandic address. For port pickup, you collect from Sundahöfn. Confirm delivery against your inventory list.
Practical tips
Start early. Book shipping four to eight weeks before your move date, longer if you are moving during the July to October peak season. Sea freight schedules are weekly at best, and delays happen.
Insure your shipment. Carrier liability limits are low (often under $1 per kilogram). For a household shipment worth tens of thousands of dollars, separate transit insurance is worth the cost.
Photograph everything. Before packing, photograph your belongings. This helps with insurance claims and with proving ownership dates to customs.
Don’t ship what you can buy cheaply in Iceland. IKEA in Garðabær stocks the same products as other Nordic IKEA stores. Basic furniture, kitchenware, and linens are readily available. Shipping heavy, low-value items across the Atlantic rarely makes financial sense. See our household goods guide for where to shop.
Label boxes by room and priority. If your shipment arrives before your permanent housing is ready, knowing which boxes contain essentials saves time and stress.
Keep essentials with you. Pack a few weeks’ worth of clothing, important documents, medications, and electronics in your checked luggage or carry-on. Your sea freight shipment will arrive weeks after you do.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a container to Iceland?
A 20-foot container costs roughly $3,800–$6,200 USD port-to-port, and a 40-foot container costs $6,000–$9,800 USD. Door-to-door service, insurance, and customs fees add $1,000–$3,000 or more. Prices vary by origin, season, and carrier.
Can I bring my furniture to Iceland duty-free?
Yes, if you lived abroad for at least 12 months and owned the furniture for at least 12 months before your move. You must import the goods within six months of establishing residence in Iceland. Items owned for less than 12 months are duty-free up to 140,000 ISK for adults (as of March 2026). Amounts above that threshold are subject to duty and 24% VAT.
How long does shipping to Iceland take?
Door-to-door, expect three to five weeks from Northern Europe and four to seven weeks from North America. Ocean transit alone is four to fourteen days depending on origin. Add time for packing, port handling, customs clearance, and final delivery.
What items are banned from import to Iceland?
Uncooked meat products, unpasteurized dairy, raw eggs, narcotics, and weapons. Used fishing equipment and riding gear must be professionally disinfected with a veterinary certificate before entry. See the Directorate of Customs import restrictions page for the full list.
Do I need a kennitala to clear customs?
It helps. Having your kennitala (national ID number) speeds up customs processing. If your shipment arrives before you have one, your freight forwarder can usually process clearance using your passport details, but expect potential delays.
Should I ship my car to Iceland?
It depends on the car and where you are shipping from. Importing a vehicle to Iceland involves registration tax, customs duty (for non-EEA origins), and a vehicle inspection. For older or lower-value cars, buying one in Iceland is often cheaper. Smyril Line Cargo offers Ro-Ro vehicle transport from Europe, and NEX handles vehicle shipments from other regions. See our guide to buying a car in Iceland for price context.
Last updated: March 2026
Helping you navigate your move and settling in the land of fire and ice.
