Travelling abroad? See Customs’ tips for returnees

You’re going on a visit overseas and your thoughts revolves across the climate on the vacation spot and round what to pack. At this stage, few folks take into consideration the return journey. Nevertheless, on the newest if you go away for house, it’s good to remember that you would be able to’t convey again no matter you wish to Finland. Earlier than travelling, you need to study prematurely about import restrictions and prohibitions to keep away from disagreeable surprises if you arrive at customs.

Many merchandise can solely be imported in restricted portions, whereas some require a licence or might even be prohibited. If you’re bringing medicines or pets with you or the purpose is to purchase completely different merchandise corresponding to tobacco merchandise or costly issues on the vacation spot, you need to put together prematurely by studying Customs’ directions. It additionally is determined by from which nation you’re arriving in Finland.

– Our recommendation to an individual travelling is easy: learn prematurely in regards to the import restrictions and prohibitions, for instance on Customs’ web site. This fashion, you may keep away from disagreeable surprises, says Senior Customs Officer Nadja Painokallio.

Do I’ve to declare my purchases? The nation of departure and the way you journey are of significance

From the customs and financial territories of the EU, you may import items you will have bought in your personal private use with out having to pay customs obligation or tax. Nevertheless, the importation of sure items corresponding to medicines and tobacco merchandise is restricted or prohibited.

Should you arrive in Finland by automotive or prepare from outdoors the EU, you may usher in items price a most of 300 euros with out having to pay obligation and tax. Should you arrive by air or by sea, you might usher in purchases price not more than 430 euros with out having to pay obligation and tax. The appropriate is private, and the worth of a single buy can’t be divided between journey companions. Nevertheless, these worth limits don’t apply to alcohol or cigarettes; slightly there are cut-off dates and quantitative restrictions on the tax-free import of those merchandise.

What occurs if one thing inappropriate was left within the suitcase?

If the traveller carries extra items which are underneath import restriction or any items underneath an entire import prohibition, they are often surrendered to Customs on the traveller’s personal initiative. In such instances, the purple channel is chosen on the port or airport.

– Should you’re uncertain, select the purple channel. Then you may ask the customs officers for recommendation – we’re joyful that will help you, says Painokallio.

If the traveller has chosen the inexperienced or blue channel and customs officers discover items within the traveller’s possession which are topic to tax or underneath import restrictions or prohibitions, then Customs can detain or seize such items. Double tax might must be paid on the products, or the traveller may even be suspected of a customs offence, so it pays to watch out.

The import restrictions and situations must be checked prematurely for no less than the next merchandise:

• Medicines and medicinal substances

  • From outdoors the EEA, you might usher in in your personal private use, medicinal merchandise in a amount akin to not more than three months’ use. Don’t overlook the prescriptions.

• Tobacco merchandise

  • The restrictions on the tobacco merchandise travellers can usher in differ from product to product and relying on whether or not the imports are taxable or tax-free. These imports will also be topic to restrictions regarding journey time and the mode of transport.

• Dairy, meat and fish merchandise

  • You may’t usher in to Finland meat or dairy merchandise from outdoors the EU. This consists of sandwiches.

• Vegetation

  • You may’t usher in most species of vegetation or plant merchandise to Finland from outdoors the EU territory with no phytosanitary certificates. Please be aware that the restriction additionally applies to Norway.

• Pets

  • Should you arrive in Finland with a canine, cat or ferret, it’s essential to concentrate on the entry necessities and ensure that your animal fulfils them. Please be aware that the entry necessities rely on the nation from which you arrive in Finland.

• Money

  • There aren’t any prohibitions or restrictions on importing money to Finland. Nevertheless, if you’re carrying 10 000 euros or extra in euros or different currencies it’s essential to fill in a customs declaration.

• Endangered species and by-product merchandise, corresponding to caviar or orchids

  • Bringing in CITES merchandise to Finland is both prohibited or requires a allow from the Finnish Setting Institute. CITES merchandise can solely be introduced in by way of particular border crossing factors.

Extra info on import restrictions on the Customs website and our leaflet.

Supply: Finnish Customs