# Lithuania (LT)

**Capital:** Vilnius  
**Currency:** Euro (EUR) (EUR)  
**Population:** 2,890,700 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 65,300 km²

> As the largest Baltic state, Lithuania is a key transit and port country between Central/Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The ice-free deep-sea port of Klaipeda (around 40 million tonnes, over 1 million TEU per year) is the only seaport and leads the Baltic in container handling. As an EU and eurozone member, the Union Customs Code applies and import VAT is 21 percent. Roads (Via Baltica), rail (Rail Baltica under construction) and the cargo airports of Vilnius and Kaunas complete the network. The border with Belarus and Kaliningrad keeps the geopolitical situation tense.

Lithuania (ISO code LT) is the largest of the three Baltic states, bordering Latvia, Belarus, Poland, the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and the Baltic Sea. It is a parliamentary republic and a member of the EU, NATO and the eurozone. The climate is temperate-continental with cold winters and mild summers. The economy is diversified, with strengths in industry, information technology, transport and logistics. Lithuania is a central transit corridor between Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, above all through the ice-free deep-sea port of Klaipeda. The logistics infrastructure comprises this seaport, the cargo airports of Vilnius and Kaunas, the road network (Via Baltica) and rail links that are being connected to the European standard-gauge network through Rail Baltica. The national currency is the euro. The geostrategic location on the EU external border offers hub opportunities but also geopolitical risks from sanctions and border controls.

**Top Import Partners:** PL, DE, RU, LV, NL

**Top Export Partners:** LV, PL, DE, RU, EE

**Top Import Goods:** Crude oil, Machinery, Vehicles, Chemicals, Electronics

**Top Export Goods:** Petroleum products, Machinery, Furniture, Chemicals, Food products

**Key Airports:**
- [Vilnius International Airport (VNO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/vilnius-international-airport-vno)
- [Kaunas International Airport (KUN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kaunas-international-airport-kun)
- [Kėdainiai Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kedainiai-air-base-airport-17606)
- [Palanga International Airport (PLQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/palanga-international-airport-plq)
- [Panevėžys Air Base (PNV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/panevezys-air-base-airport-pnv)
- [Šiauliai International Airport (SQQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/siauliai-international-airport-sqq)
- [Akmenė Airfield](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/akmene-airport-462)
- [Alytus Airfield](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/alytus-airport-943)
- [Biržai Airfield](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/birzai-airport-3660)
- [Daugodai](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/daugodai-airport-27792)

**Key Seaports:**
- [Klaipeda (LT KLJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/klaipeda-port-lt-klj)
- [Butinge Oil Terminal (LT BOT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/butinge-oil-terminal-port-lt-bot)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Import VAT 21 percent standard rate  
**Customs complexity:** medium  
**Customs system:** EU customs union under the Union Customs Code (UCC). National import and transit processing via the iMDAS system; EORI number required, security data via ICS2.  
**Customs authority:** [Customs Department at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublikos muitine)](https://muitine.lrv.lt)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Transit and port country (Klaipeda) between Central/Eastern Europe and Scandinavia  
**Economic area:** EU / Eurozone / EU customs union  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### What is the import VAT rate in Lithuania?

The standard rate is 21 percent. Reduced rates of 12 percent (e.g. passenger transport, accommodation, culture) and 5 percent (books, medicines and medical devices) apply. As of 1 January 2026 the former 9 percent rate was abolished; books and medicines now fall under the 5 percent rate.

### Which customs authority and systems apply in Lithuania?

The Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance (Lietuvos Respublikos muitine) is responsible, with territorial offices in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda. As an EU member the Union Customs Code applies. Import and transit declarations run through the iMDAS system, exports through the Automated Export System (AES). An EORI number is required.

### Which ports and airports are important for cargo?

Klaipeda is Lithuania's only seaport, ice-free year-round and, with around 40 million tonnes handled and over 1 million TEU, one of the leading container ports in the Baltic. Air freight runs mainly through Vilnius (VNO) and Kaunas (KUN) airports, complemented by Palanga (PLQ).

### How do the EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus affect Lithuania?

Lithuania strictly implements the EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Sanctioned goods may not be imported, exported or transited. The border with Belarus has been largely closed since October 2025. Transit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad is only possible for non-sanctioned goods and is tightly controlled.

### Which road and rail corridors are central?

The key road corridor is the Via Baltica (E67) from Poland via Kaunas towards Riga, complemented by the A1 Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipeda. In rail, the IXB corridor (Kena-Klaipeda) and the Rail Baltica project under construction (standard gauge 1435 mm) connect the country to the European network. The Kaunas Intermodal Terminal links the 1435 and 1520 mm gauges.

### Which documents are needed for import and export?

For imports the usual documents are: commercial invoice, packing list, customs declaration (iMDAS), transport document (CMR or bill of lading) and the EORI number. For exports: commercial invoice, export declaration (AES with MRN), packing list, transport document and, for preferential trade, a proof of origin (EUR.1 or statement under REX).

### Which currency is used in Lithuania?

Lithuania has been a eurozone member since 2015; the national currency is the euro (EUR). This provides stable conditions for trade and investment without exchange-rate risk against the euro area.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://muitine.lrv.lt/en/](https://muitine.lrv.lt/en/)
- [https://muitine.lrv.lt](https://muitine.lrv.lt)
- [https://muitine.lrv.lt/en/for-business-and-private-persons/restrictions-and-prohibitions/](https://muitine.lrv.lt/en/for-business-and-private-persons/restrictions-and-prohibitions/)
- [https://www.vmi.lt/](https://www.vmi.lt/)
- [https://www.vatupdate.com/2026/01/06/lithuania-abolishes-9-vat-rate-adjusts-tax-on-services-and-books-from-2026/](https://www.vatupdate.com/2026/01/06/lithuania-abolishes-9-vat-rate-adjusts-tax-on-services-and-books-from-2026/)
- [https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/gyventojai1](https://osp.stat.gov.lt/en/gyventojai1)
- [https://www.portofklaipeda.lt/](https://www.portofklaipeda.lt/)
- [https://www.ltou.lt/en/about-lithuanian-airports](https://www.ltou.lt/en/about-lithuanian-airports)

*Last verified: 2026-07-23*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/lt](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/lt)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/lt](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/lt)*