Border crossing points on the eastern border remain closed until further notice

The Finnish Government decided on 4 April 2024 to continue the closure of the border crossing points on the eastern border. With this new decision, the restrictions accordant with the decision that is currently in effect will continue for the time being as of 15 April 2024. The risk of re-emerging instrumentalised migration and of the phenomenon expanding on the eastern border remains likely according to the recent press release from the Finnish Government.

Until further notice, goods and passenger traffic by road at the land border between Finland and Russia is not possible at the border crossing points of Imatra, Kuusamo, Niirala, Nuijamaa, Raja-Jooseppi, Salla, Vaalimaa and Vartius. The Vainikkala border crossing point will continue to remain open for freight train traffic. 

According to the new decision, also the border crossing points for maritime traffic at Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio will be closed to leisure boating. However, the restrictions on maritime traffic do not apply to freight vessels.

You can check alternatives for your customs transactions and the service hours of the customs offices on the Finnish Customs website.

More information:

Finnish Government press release of 4 April 2024: Finland's eastern border to remain closed until further notice

Government decision of 8 February 2024 (in Finnish) on the temporary closure of border crossing points and on the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection 

Customer notice of 9 February 2024: Border crossing points on the eastern border remain closed 
Finnish Government press release, 8 February 2024: Finland's eastern border to remain closed

Government decision of 8 February 2024 (in Finnish) on the temporary closure of border crossing points and on the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection

Finnish Government press release, 11 January 2024: Finland's eastern border to remain closed

Government decision 11 January 2024 (in Finnish) on the temporary closure of border crossing points and on the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection

Customer notice, 15 December 2023: All border crossing points for road traffic at the eastern border closed again as of 20.00 on 15 December

Government decision 14 December 2023 (in Finnish) on the temporary closure of border crossing points and on the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection

Customer notice, 13 December 2023: The temporary traffic restrictions at the eastern border to continue ‒ Vaalimaa and Niirala will open on 14 December 2023

Government decision 12 December 2023 (in Finnish) on the temporary closure of border crossing points and on the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection

Government decision (in Finnish) on the temporary closure of border crossing points and on the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection

Customer notice, 23 November 2023: The border crossing points of Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius at the eastern border will be closing on 24 November 2023 – border crossings will be centralised at Raja-Jooseppi

Finnish government press release on 22 November 2023: Finland to close more border crossing points

Customer notice, 17 November 2023: Customer service continues normally at other customs offices than Vaalimaa, Imatra, Nuijamaa and Niirala

Notice from the Finnish Food Authority, 17 November 2023: The closure of border crossings affects the transport of animals, animal products and plants

Customer notice, 16 November 2023: Border crossing points of Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala are closed as of 18 November 2023