Air Freight from China to Reykjavik
China → Reykjavik · via KEF air / Reykjavik sea · clearance by Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn)
Reykjavik is capital and the destination for nearly all imports, and it is served through KEF air / Reykjavik sea. That combination is what actually sets your delivery date on this lane — the inland leg is same-day, so the clearance date is effectively the delivery date.
Clearance itself is handled by Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn), and typical dwell at the gateway runs 2–5 days.
Import duty and tax position for Reykjavik
Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Reykjavik consignees. Current regime: VAT 24% standard, 11% reduced; customs duty 0% on most manufactured goods, with a de-minimis position of ISK 2,000 for duty; VAT applies from the first króna.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: CE marking under EEA rules; Icelandic labeling for food. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Iceland: Feeder frequency drives the schedule — a missed connection can cost a full week. Most duty is zero but 24% VAT dominates landed cost.
How this lane actually runs
Iceland is served by feeder services from Rotterdam, Hamburg or Aarhus rather than by direct Asian calls, so sea transit is long and sailing frequency, not vessel speed, is what determines the date. Air via Keflavík is disproportionately popular here for that reason.
| Air gateways used | KEF (Keflavík) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 5–8 business days |
| Gateway serving Reykjavik | KEF air / Reykjavik sea |
| Inland leg to Reykjavik | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 2–5 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: CE marking under EEA rules; Icelandic labeling for food.
- Ask for the HS code in writing from your supplier and verify the Iceland duty rate against it yourself.
- Confirm the consignee in Reykjavik can act as importer of record — Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) will not release cargo to an unregistered party.
- Put the Reykjavik delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders up front — retro-declaring after booking usually means re-planning the whole shipment.
- Budget for the inland leg: same-day delivery beyond gateway clearance to reach Reykjavik.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Reykjavik take?
China to the Iceland gateway is 5–8 business days. On top of that, allow 2–5 days of clearance with Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) and a same-day inland leg to Reykjavik.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Reykjavik?
Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) applies: VAT 24% standard, 11% reduced; customs duty 0% on most manufactured goods. The de-minimis position is ISK 2,000 for duty; VAT applies from the first króna. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Reykjavik.
Which port or airport does cargo for Reykjavik clear through?
Cargo for Reykjavik is routed via KEF air / Reykjavik sea. Sea gateways for Iceland are Reykjavík, Reyðarfjörður; air gateways are KEF (Keflavík). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
Can you deliver door-to-door in Reykjavik?
Yes. Delivery to a Reykjavik address is quoted as one figure covering freight, duty and tax owed to Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn), and the same-day inland leg. Confirm whether your consignee wants the goods at a warehouse, a marketplace fulfillment center or a shop front, because the last-mile requirement differs.
What certification do I need for Iceland?
For regulated goods, plan for: CE marking under EEA rules; Icelandic labeling for food. Missing conformity paperwork is the single most common cause of a hold, and in most cases it cannot be remedied once the cargo has arrived.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Reykjavik?
Yes. Battery cargo by air follows IATA PI 965–970 depending on how the cells are packed, and moves on certified channels via KEF (Keflavík). Surcharges apply and the declaration has to be made before booking.
Other delivery cities in Iceland
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Iceland change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) or your broker before you ship.
- Iceland Revenue and Customs
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- ICC — Incoterms 2020 rules (DDP, DAP, FOB definitions)
- IPPC — ISPM 15 wood packaging standard
- WCO — Harmonized System nomenclature
- IMO — IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea
Page data last reviewed: 10 月 2026.
Shipping by industry
This page covers the route and clearance picture for the destination. Packing, classification and the compliance step that actually holds a shipment depend on what you are sending — these guides cover that by commodity.
- Home Decor Furniture & Home Products
- Technical Textiles Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Outdoor Products Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Fasteners Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Electric Motors General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Wire & Cable New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Wall Panels Building Materials & Construction Products
- Injection Molded Parts Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Furniture Furniture & Home Products
- Home Storage Products Furniture & Home Products
- Exhibition Display Equipment Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
- Aluminum Coils Steel & Metal Materials
Checking the Iceland duty position yourself
Duty and tax figures on this page are planning estimates. The binding assessment is made by Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn) against your declared HS code at the time of entry; where the amount is material, verify the current rate through ITC Market Access Map before committing to an order.
Most landed-cost surprises trace back to classification rather than freight. the WCO Harmonized System defines the heading structure every customs administration builds on, and ITC Market Access Map will show you the duty a given heading attracts in this destination.
On the air side, anything with a cell or a battery in it, plus liquids, powders, magnets and aerosols, is governed by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Those articles are not refused outright, but they need to be declared at booking so the shipment is built correctly — declaring them late is the single most common cause of an air consignment being offloaded.
Watch: the process behind this route
This guide covers routing and clearance for Reykjavik. The video below covers the wider shipping process that sits around it.
How to Check Import Tariffs for Any Country | HS Code Lookup Tutorial 2026 — Vixnk - English. Published on YouTube by a third party; we link it because it explains the process well, not because we produced it or endorse the provider.
Customs clearance in Iceland
Duty and tax position, certification, typical port dwell and what actually holds shipments at this border — plus who files the entry.
Iceland clearance requirements →