Customs Information

Finland - All

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Finland

  • Passport (Copy)
  • Proof of Employment
  • Import declaration (Customs form 45) in Finnish, Swedish, or English
  • Inventory (in English, Finnish, German or Swedish) stating exact number of packages, showing detailed contents of each carton, alcohol and any other dutiable items
  • Owner's Declaration stating goods are his property, have been used abroad and are for his continued use in Finland
  • Bill of Sale may be required by Customs for dutiable items

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

  • CUSTOMER MUST BE IN FINLAND AT THE TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
  • For shipments originating outside of the European Union (EU), household goods and personal effects can be imported free of duty if:
  •  The goods have been owned and used by the owner of the goods or the owner of the goods’ family abroad and not to be re-sold for at least six months
  • The owner of the goods has lived in a primary residence abroad for at least 12 months and intends to settle in Finland
  • Goods must not be imported for commercial use
  • The owner of the goods must have a primary residence in Finland to begin the Customs clearance process.
  • Personal property imported from the EU is admitted free of Customs duty, tax, and other restrictions, except prohibitions referred to Article 36 of the Treaty of Rome.
  • Diplomats may import household goods and personal effects duty free provided a detailed inventory has been completed and an obligation for privilege granted by the Foreign Ministry.
MOTOR VEHICLES
  • All vehicles subject to taxes; however, the car tax on one taxable private vehicle imported by the owner of the goods at transfer of the normal place of residence is reduced by a maximum of Euro 13,450 if the following three conditions are met:
    • The owner of the goods has stayed abroad continuously for at least 12 months immediately before moving to Finland
    • The vehicle has been in the ownership, or in the possession leading to ownership, of the owner of the goods or a spouse and in the owner of the goods’ use abroad for at least six months immediately before the move to Finland.
    • If the owner of the goods has previously brought in a vehicle free of tax, it is required that the time limit within which that vehicle may not be transferred without payment of tax has expired before his moving to Finland.
  • A tax reduction will not be granted to a person under the age of 18 nor a person who has previously lived in Finland and stayed abroad mainly for educational or study purposes.
  • Vehicles imported duty free by a foreigner are subject to prohibition on the sale, hire, and transfer of the vehicle for 3 years, one of which must be in Finland.
  • Motor vehicles imported from within the EU are subject to the Finnish Value Added Tax (VAT) Act and Car Tax Act.
  • As a rule, VAT is not collected in Finland on vehicles imported as removal goods from within the EU. 
  • One auto may be imported duty-free if owned and used abroad for six months and Customer qualifies for duty-free import of household goods
  • Duty free value is limited up to $34,000.00.  If the customs value of the car exceeds this amount the exceeding value is dutiable.  Customs determines the customs value
  • Cannot be sold or otherwise used by others for two years without full payment of all duties and taxes
  • If vehicle does not qualify for exemption, import taxes will be 50-60% of the retail price of a similar new vehicle in Finland
  • Duties levied will also depend on the amount and type of accessories and equipment on the vehicle
  • Must comply with the U.S. or European exhaust regulations

Documents required:

  • Purchase-deed and receipts of payment
  • Certification of title / registration
  • Registration documents
  • Employment Certificate proving auto bought with earnings from abroad
  • Passport
  • Finnish insurance policy
  • Foreign insurance policy
  • Driver's License
  • ABOVE DOCUMENTS MUST ALL BE ORIGINALS

PETS

Documents Required:

  • Veterinary health certificate
  • Vaccination record
Specific Information:
  • Dogs and cats must have a valid vaccination against rabies
  •  Pets are subject to minimum of three months quarantine and veterinary examination upon arrival to Finland; contact the destination agent to confirm the duration.
  • Health Certificate required
  • Import Permit from Ministry of Agriculture
  • Duty-free if proof of ownership is available
  • Pets without the vaccination record will be returned to the port of origin.
  • Pets may be imported duty free with proof of ownership.

WEDDING TROUSSEAU/ GIFTS

  • Wedding trousseaux (may be imported duty free as part of the household goods shipment)
  • Inheritances (may be imported duty free if the owner of the goods’ primary residence is in Finland; a detailed inventory and a certified copy of the will).

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

  • New Items (less than six months old) invoices required (are subject to VAT and duty and must be declared separately on Customs form 45; a commercial invoice is also required)
  • Food and fabrics
  • Precious metal objects
  • Professional or business equipment
  • Firearms and ammunition (will be held by Customs until valid Firearm Certificate is obtained and a special permit by police authorities is required)
  • Collectors items which are plugged and unusable may be imported with restriction
  • Art, antiques, and precious metal objects (are duty free as part of the household goods shipment; otherwise subject to VAT and duty; a detailed inventory is required)
  • Live animals and animal products (a special permit is required)
  • Alcoholic products, narcotics, tobacco (are subject to duty and VAT and incitements require special permits)
  • Plants and vegetable products (Phytosanitary Certificate required, if no certificate is present, items will stay in custody for inspection and charges will be billed to Customer)
  • Certain feathers, furs, tusks, skins, etc. of animals falling under the Protected Species Regulations
  • Walkie-talkies and radios
  • ALL DUTIABLE ITEMS MUST BE STOWED FOR EASY ACCESS

PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Explosives, ammunitions, and dangerous edged weapons including knives, swords, fireworks, and clasp-knives
  • Automatic weapons
  • Narcotics / illegal drugs of any kind
  • Pornography and subversive material
  • Products of animals coming under the protected species regulations
  • Feathers, furs, tusks, skins etc. of animals included on the Endangered Species List and those protected under the CITES Convention