Buying a vehicle from abroad

When you buy a vehicle from another EU country When you buy a vehicle from outside the EU

When you buy a vehicle from another EU country

The Tax Administration is responsible for car taxation and related guidance. The importer must lodge a declaration of use and a car tax declaration to the Tax Administration within the prescribed time. The declaration of use must be submitted before the vehicle is used in Finland. 

No customs declarations are submitted to Customs for vehicles bought within the EU’s customs and fiscal territory, if the vehicle has been manufactured in or cleared into the EU.

In order to use a vehicle bought abroad in Finland, the vehicle must also have a valid registration in an EU or EEA country or a transfer permit issued by vehicle inspection station as well as motor liability insurance. If the vehicle does not have a valid registration or a transfer permit, the only legal way to transfer the vehicle is by trailer. You are not allowed to even tow the vehicle, as this is regarded as use on the road.

If you need a transfer permit, get it in advance from the vehicle inspection station. To acquire the permit, you need to know the specifications of the vehicle (vehicle identification number). You can find the vehicle inspection stations on the map on Traficoms website.

Transfer permits can also be bought from certain customs offices, for example from offices on the Finnish-Russian border. Please observe that transfer permits cannot be bought from all customs offices, for example Turku and Hanko Customs do not carry them.

When you buy a vehicle from an area that is part of the customs territory but not of the VAT territory of the EU

If you wish to buy a vehicle from or to the Åland Islands, read the instructions here: Vehicles on the Åland Islands.

If you buy a vehicle from within the customs territory of the EU but from outside its fiscal territory (for example from the Canary Islands), you must declare the vehicle and pay the VAT due.

Declare vehicle in the Import Declaration Service for private persons.

 

 

When you buy a vehicle from outside the EU

Vehicles bought from outside the EU must be cleared through Customs

When buying a vehicle from outside the customs and fiscal territory of the EU, you are to lodge a customs declaration in conjunction with importing the vehicle. Customs duty and VAT will be levied on the vehicle. Declare vehicle in the Import Declaration Service for private persons.

The vehicle may be used provided that it has a valid registration in an EU or EEA country or a transfer mark issued by a vehicle inspection station as well as motor liability insurance. 

If you need a transfer permit, get it in advance from the vehicle inspection station. To acquire the permit, you need to know the specifications of the vehicle (vehicle identification number). You can find the vehicle inspection stations on the map on Traficoms website.

Transfer permits can also be bought from certain customs offices, for example from offices on the Finnish-Russian border. Please observe that transfer permits cannot be bought from all customs offices, for example Turku and Hanko Customs do not carry them.

The declaration of use must be submitted before the vehicle is used in Finland. The car tax declaration must be submitted within the prescribed time. The Tax Administration is responsible for car taxation and related guidance. 

Any questions?

Contact Customs Information Mon–Fri 8 am–4.15 pm

Please have a look at the frequently asked questions.

If you have a question about the arrival of parcels, its contents or the handling fee, please contact Posti.

Customs Information Service