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
The Government has decided to close the border crossing points of Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius in addition to the border crossing points that were closed earlier. Traffic across Finland's eastern border has continued despite earlier restrictions. According to the assessment of the Finnish authorities and the Government, instrumentalised migration from Russia and the escalation of the situation pose a serious threat to national security and public order.
Due to this decision, both the freight traffic and the passenger traffic will end at the border crossing points of Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius as of Friday, 24 November 2023 at 00.00. This decision will remain in force until 23 December 2023.
At the eastern border, the border crossing point of Raja-Jooseppi will remain open and normal customer service is available within the opening hours. The freight train traffic in Vainikkala will also continue. You can check alternatives for your customs transactions and the service hours of the customs offices on the Finnish Customs website.
The border crossing points of Vaalimaa, Imatra, Niirala and Nuijamaa were closed through the Government’s decision on 18 November 2023. In accordance with the new decision, also these border crossing points will be closed until the end of Saturday, 23 December 2023.
More information:
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
Finnish Food Authority press release on 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
Finnish government press release on 16 November 2023: Government decides to close the border in Southeast Finland