Customs supervises on land and water - certain repetitive discrepancies observed through boat controls

The boating season has started. During the winter months, many people have been planning boat trips from Finland to locations abroad. When you return from your trip to Finland, you may also encounter a Customs boat control team. It is good for boaters to remember that persons arriving by boat from Åland are subject to stricter regulations on imports of gifts than persons arriving from the EU.

Customs enforces compliance with import and export restrictions and customs procedures also on water areas. Customs is entrusted with the task of preventing smuggling, collecting import duties and protecting society.

– On water, we also control fuels used in leisure craft and fishing boats in addition to water traffic in general, as well as hunting and fishing. We can also stop and question arriving and departing boaters and carry out customs controls when necessary, says Henrik Wahlroos, head of the boat control team.

Boat captains have obligations

Customs can also breathalyse boaters. Everyone taking part in navigating and steering a boat must give a test result that is under the penalty limit. Often in water traffic controls, boaters are not aware of the requirements and obligations around captaining a boat, and are not able to point out the captain.

Customs has observed that the piece of equipment most often lacking from boats is a portable extinguisher. It may also be that portable extinguishers have not undergone yearly maintenance. Vessels are required to have equipment prescribed by the Water Traffic Act, as well as registration plates attached in accordance with regulations. Occasionally, Customs must intervene in how boats are driven and in failures to comply with good seamanship, especially on waters just outside cities. Such situations often involve jet skis.

Efficient PCB cooperation also on waters

Customs is one the authorities responsible for sea rescue, and cooperates closely with for example the Police and the Border Guard on waterways.

– Our cooperation often involves sea rescue and various control tasks. We also cooperate in training and practicing, says Henrik Wahlroos.

The people who work in Customs boat patrols are professionals at seafaring, and when required they assist in problematic situations and give instructions regarding cross-border boat traffic.

To Finland by boat – consider where you are arriving from

Inside the territory of the EU, you can import passenger gifts without any value limits. There are restrictions on alcohol, tobacco products and fuel, and you should check them in advance. You can import goods for the same amount and value from Åland to mainland Finland as from outside the EU, as Åland is a part of the customs territory of the EU, but not a part of the EU fiscal territory.

Checklist for boaters on arriving in Finland

To Finland from EU territory

• You can bring in passenger goods without value limits.
• Restrictions apply to goods such as alcohol, tobacco products and fuel.

From Åland to other parts of Finland

• Åland is part of the customs territory of the EU but not part of the fiscal territory of the EU.
• There are restrictions on imports between the region of Åland and mainland Finland.
• In your boat, you can bring in purchases in personal passenger belongings free of tax and customs duty for a maximum value of 300 euros.
• From Åland, you can only import a limited amount of alcoholic beverages for personal use or as a gift.

If you have pets on board

Customs can inspect pets on board boats, and their documentation. Pets must have pet passports issued by a veterinarian. Customs boat patrols carry chip readers so they can easily read animal ID markings also on waters. The below instructions concern pets that accompany you on your arrival in Finland from another EU country or from Norway.

Remember to have these items for your pet:

• an ID marking
• a pet passport either from the EU or Norway
• a valid vaccination against rabies for animals older than 16 weeks
• an insurance form indicating that a pet puppy has not had any contact with wild animals in cases where pets are younger than 16 weeks
• dogs must also be treated against echinococcosis at least one day (24 hours) but at most five days (120 hours) prior to their arrival in Finland; this does not concern dogs arriving directly from Norway, Malta or Ireland.
  
  

Detailed instructions and further information on animal imports are available on the website of the Finnish Food Safety Authority.