Estonia, e-commerce and logistics

Estonia is an emerging hub for global e-commerce activity. Find out more about this potential e- commerce trading destination.

Image of Tallinn TV Tower, Estonia

Why Estonia?

E-commerce is a booming sector in Estonia, a small Baltic country known for its digital innovation and e-government services. There, you will f ind a strong digital infrastructure and tech-savvy population, all contributing to rapid e-commerce growth.1

Estonian e-commerce companies have been quick to advance technology and automation to streamline operations and enhance the consumer experience. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics are increasingly used for personalisation and data-driven decision-making.

According to the Bank of Estonia, e-commerce turnover in Estonia was 3.54 billion euros in 2022, which was a 34% increase compared to 2021. E-commerce already accounts for at least 20% of the total volume of retail trade.2

  • 91%3
    Internet penetration
  • 69%
    % of e-shoppers
  • 1.3%
    e-GDP
  • 34.6%
    Turnover growth

The e-commerce landscape

E-commerce was growing at a steady pace before COVID-19, however, since the pandemic it has experienced a more pronounced growth, as more people have adopted online shopping habits. An increasing number of consumers are now turning to online shopping for convenience and variety.

Today, Estonia has the highest online shopping penetration in the Baltics. Over seven out of ten residents have purchased goods and services online in the past year.

Some leading e-commerce platforms are Hansapost and Kaup24, both part of the Pigu Hobby Hall group (PHH) headquartered in Finland, as well as On24, a popular furniture retailer.

There are over 6,000 e-stores in Estonia. 98% of Estonians aged 16-74 use the internet and more than 90% of the population, aged 16-74 has used e-commerce.4

Opportunities

Since the pandemic, concert, cinema and theatre tickets are the most purchased items online, which is as much as 42%. Electronics come 2nd place (30%). Followed by clothes and shoes (25%), cosmetics (23%), perfumes (21%), men’s clothes (20%), Sporting goods (19%) and medicines (7%).

Estonia has a well-developed banking sector dominated by both domestic and foreign banks. Visa and Mastercard are the most preferred e-commerce payment methods.

Logistics

Most e-shoppers in Estonia prefer to pick up their orders from parcel locker stations or receive them at home. According to a survey carried out in 2023, delivery to a parcel locker station was the most popular delivery location among regular Estonian e-shoppers. Delivery to a person’s home ranked second, used by over half of Estonian shoppers.

788 the number of parcel lockers across the country in 2021.

You can familiarise yourself with the weights and prices of sending a package to Estonia using our helpful shipping rates chart .


Keep in mind

Estonia is part of the EU and follows EU e-commerce regulations. The main authority that regulates e- commerce in Estonia is the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority. Sellers need to ensure they comply with the Consumer Protection Act, VAT act and Accounting Act, as well as other relevant laws and standards.

What our experts say:

“E-commerce in Estonia offers many opportunities for sellers who want to reach a tech-savvy and affluent market.”

Simon Perkins, Commercial Director, SAMOS


To find out more about how SAMOS can help you achieve fast and cost- effective deliveries to Estonia get in touch today