How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Latvia? Cost by Mode (2026)
Indicative prices to ship to Riga by road, sea and air, plus import VAT and customs.
Shipping to Latvia ranges from ~€180 per pallet by road from the EU to €1,900–4,200 per sea container from China. Air freight is ~€4.00–8.00 per kg and sea LCL ~€100–180 per CBM. All non-EU imports add 21% VAT plus customs duty.
Indicative Cost by Transport Mode
| Mode | Typical origin | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Road (LTL pallet) | EU (DE, PL, ES) | €180–500 / pallet |
| Sea FCL (container) | China | €1,900–4,200 |
| Sea LCL (groupage) | China / Asia | €100–180 / CBM |
| Air freight | China / worldwide | €4.00–8.00 / kg |
Prices are indicative for orientation only — request a firm quote. Excludes import VAT (21%) and customs duty.
Courier tariffs suit small parcels. From roughly 100 kg or one pallet upwards, it is cheaper to move the shipment as freight with a forwarder.
What makes up the total landed cost
The freight rate is only part of the bill. For cargo from outside the EU, expect these lines on the invoice:
- Freight (the sea, air or road base rate)
- Origin and destination terminal charges (THC, documentation)
- Customs clearance in Riga; the importer needs an EORI number
- Customs duty under the EU Common Customs Tariff, set by the goods' HS code
- 21% Latvian import VAT, charged on the customs value (goods + freight + insurance) with the duty added
- Cargo insurance, charged as a percentage of the cargo value (how it is calculated)
- Final delivery to your door in Latvia
Shipments from another EU country carry no customs duty and need no import declaration.
To work out duty and VAT step by step, use the guide How to calculate customs duties and VAT. Chargeable weight is explained, with a calculator, in Air freight costs. Lane guides with transit times and documents: sea freight from China, LCL consolidation from China, air freight from China and air freight Riga ⇄ USA.
Cost FAQs
Q.How much does it cost to ship to Latvia?
It depends on mode and volume. Indicative 2026 ranges to Riga: road LTL from the EU ~€180–500 per pallet; a 20' sea container from China ~€1,900–2,700 and a 40'HC ~€3,200–4,200; sea LCL groupage ~€100–180 per CBM; air freight ~€4.00–8.00 per chargeable kg. Import VAT (21%) and any duty are added on the customs value.
Q.How much is sea freight to Latvia per CBM?
LCL (shared container) sea freight to Riga is indicatively €100–180 per cubic metre with a 1 CBM minimum, plus CFS handling and customs. For roughly 12–14 CBM or more, a full 20' container (FCL) is usually cheaper per unit.
Q.How much is air freight to Latvia per kg?
Indicatively €4.00–6.00 per chargeable kg for standard and €6.00–8.00 for express from China to Riga (RIX), with a €40–€120 minimum charge. Chargeable weight is the greater of actual and volumetric weight (1 CBM ≈ 167 kg).
Q.Is it cheaper to use a freight forwarder?
Usually yes for international B2B cargo. A forwarder consolidates volume across many clients to access lower carrier rates than a single shipper can, and bundles customs, documentation and insurance so you avoid demurrage, wrong HS codes and hidden local charges. For occasional small parcels a courier can be simpler; for pallets, containers and air cargo a forwarder like Unicore is typically both cheaper and lower-risk.
Q.Is Latvia good for logistics?
Yes. Latvia sits on the EU's eastern edge with the ice-free Port of Riga, Riga International Airport (RIX) cargo facilities, and road/rail links across the Baltics and to the EU single market. It is a common consolidation and customs-clearance gateway for cargo moving between Asia, the CIS and Europe.
Q.What import taxes and VAT apply when shipping to Latvia?
Goods imported from outside the EU are charged the EU Common Customs Tariff duty (rate depends on the HS code) plus 21% Latvian import VAT, charged on the customs value (goods + freight + insurance) with the duty added. An EU EORI number is required. Unicore can act as declarant and, where eligible, defer VAT via the reverse-charge mechanism.
Get an exact price for your shipment
Tell us the origin, volume and commodity — we'll return a firm quote including customs and delivery.
Request QuoteRelated resources
- Air Freight Costs CalculatorVolumetric weight, surcharges, and a built-in calculator.Read
- Sea Freight Costs to EuropeHow rates are built and what drives weekly spot fluctuations.Read
- Calculate Customs Duties & VATStep-by-step: HS code → CIF → duty → 21% VAT in Latvia.Read
- FCL vs LCL: Which to PickVolume break-even, transit time, and damage risk compared.Read