Analysis of importing process of Canadian Ice Wine to Finland

The thesis was made for the needs of a company planning to import dessert wine called ice wine from Canada. The objectives of the thesis were to research the steps of the importing process, the laws, formalities, prerequisites, and stakeholders related to importing alcohol to Finland. In addition, the objectives were to find out what kinds of challenges and problems a wine importer might face and what kinds of sales and distribution channel alternatives there are for wine in Finland. Since the company has no prior importing experience, the purpose of the thesis was to define importing process related issues the company should be prepared for. The results can be useful also for other small companies interested in wine import. The thesis was based on secondary research and analysis of that information for the company’s needs and on one interview with a Finnish wine importer. Literature review was conducted by studying information related to the importing process from an operative point of view. The main results and the conclusions of the thesis are that it is very important to have a sufficient cargo insurance due to long distance and possible theft. For a small company the use of freight forwarders for transportation arrangements and customs declarations is essential since they have the expertise and network needed when importing from outside the European Union. A wine importer can sell and distribute wine in Finland through the retailing monopoly Alko Oy, or via restaurants and bars. The distribution is most efficient when it takes place either from the importer’s own or subcontracted warehouse