Moving from Iceland

Eimskip emphasizes good, all round service in transport of personal belongings as well as all other cargo. There are usually several things to consider when moving from one country to another, so it is important that the owner of the cargo is well informed about the Eimskip transport system as well as the habitation rules of the countries in question.

It is in all parties’ interest that the transport of personal belongings is well organized before the actual transport commences. We would therefore ask all our clients to familiarize themselves with all of the steps before the first steps are taken.

1. Volume and mode of transport
A key question in deciding how to transport personal belongings is to find out the size of the cargo. To find that out, we would like to point to our personal belongings calculator. There, you can find an index for the volume of your cargo for use in the offer-section.

It is entirely in the hands of the client to find out the volume of his cargo. Eimskip recommends transporting in FCL rather than LCL, and that no cargo larger than 12 cbm is transported along with the personal effects, for safety and practical reasons.

Volume/Carriage 20‘ dry-container– DC22
L: 5900 mm 2.230 kg 33 m³ 21.770-
W: 2.350 mm b:2.340 mm 28.250 kg
H: 2.390 mm H:2.280 mm

Volume/Carriage 40‘ dry-container – DC43
L: 12.030 mm 3.800 kg 67m³ 26.680 kg
W: 2.350 mm B: 2.340 mm
H: 2.390 mm H:2.280 mm

2. Offers
When the volume of personal effects has been evaluated, the next step is to get an offer for the transport.
It is important to follow through with all the steps before the offer is sent to Eimskip’s representatives. It is also important to read the offer related text thoroughly.

3. Documentation
The following documentation must be filled out before the transport takes place:
a. Shipping instructions – for a safe and secure transport
b. List of contents – for the Customs’ Authorities and insurance matters

When moving to the US, a copy of the passport must also be attached as well as visas for all the moving individuals must be enclosed.
The shipping instructions and customs clearance form are filled out online, and later in the process in an original form, and returned signed to our office.

4. Insurance
It is necessary to state the total value of the cargo in the list of contents, for the insurance to be finalized. An insurance-fee is paid at the same time as the transport fees. All personal belongings are insured automatically, with the fee 1% of its value + transport fees. The minimum fee is ISK 5.000, and in case of any damage the coinsurance clause is ISK 10.000.

5. Sales Order number
Eimskip assigns Sales Order numbers to customers when the shipping instructions, list of contents and originals of customs papers are handed in.

6. Packing
Before Eimskip picks up the personal belongings, or the shipper delivers them to Eimskip, all items must be thoroughly packed and marked. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure every item is secured, and that every unit is marked well. Eimskip can take care of packing personal belongings with the assistance of a third party, for a separate fee.

7. Cargo security document
If a personal belongings shipment is shipped in a whole container (FCL), the owner must provide a cargo security document with the container, at the demand of the Customs' Authoroties, before or at the time of delivery to Eimskip.

Eimskip's Safety and Security Center takes care of cargo security documents. The phone is +354 525-7100 ana the email is portsecurity@eimskip.is  

8. Latest delivery
Southern-route: LCL cargo, Mondays before 16:00. FCL cargo, Mondays 16:00
Northern-route: LCL cargo, Tuesdays before 14:00. FCL cargo, Wednesdays 16:00

9. Payments
Transport fees must be paid before the shipment leaves the country. Payments can be made with credit cards, bank payments to Eimskip’s account or by invoice to the customer’s internet bank.

Eimskip‘s bank account: 0111-26-2914
I.D. number 421104-3520
IBAN: IS83 0111 2600 2914
Swift code: NBIIISR

10. Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the cargo’s owner to follow the arrivals of vessels to the port of loading, and to contact the office in the port’s country to take the final steps in the transport process. Personal items are not transported with Eimskip until the customer has taken this step. Personal belongings normally take around five days to be prepared in the port of loading.

11. Customs rules
We would like to point out the importance for transporters to familiarize themselves with customs‘ rules in the country they are moving to. The customer is responsible for customs clearance outside the harbours calls. Eimskip can take care of customs‘ clearances through a third party if wished, for a seperate fee.

12. Container rental and storage fees
If personal belongings are transported in a 40’ container and stored more than five days after the vessel arrives in Iceland, storage fees apply. After eight days, container rental fees are calculated. If the cargo is transported as LCL, then storage fees are calculated from day four.

Hopefully, these guidelines are of use when organizing transport to Iceland. If there are any further questions, please contact our personal belongings department at (+354) 525-7000 or buslodir@eimskip.is.

The Customs Authorities’ website has more information, and we encourage our customers to familiarize themselves with all the rules and regulations.


Where are you moving to?

For forms that are essential when moving to the respctive countries, please click the links below:


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