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The Customs Laboratory as part of comprehensive security

Publication date 29.10.2018 12.27
Press release

The Comprehensive Security 2018 Fair was arranged at the Lahti Fair Centre on 7 to 8 September 2018. The event covered a wide range of current security topics with safety and security experts, demonstrations and equipment. At the stand of Finnish Customs, visitors had a chance to learn about the work of Customs and the Customs Laboratory and to talk with our experts.

The stand of Customs had a display of samples examined by the Customs Laboratory as well as a fun beans and peas identification quiz. On Friday, most of the visitors were schoolchildren and students. Many of them asked: “How can I get a job at Customs?” Based on the discussions, there were many who wanted to get a job at Customs or in safety and security. The next question concerned the competence required at Customs in addition to the traditional enforcement tasks. At the Customs Laboratory, for example, there are not only chemists and laboratory technicians but also physicists, microbiologists, instrument technicians and application administrators. At the Customs Laboratory, it is also possible to do practical training related to laboratory technology studies.

Won’t a bag ordered online be examined?

The Customs Laboratory’s work is varied, which surprised many. Very few knew what its activities include and what its operation is based on. The operation of the Customs Laboratory is based on risk assessment, and samples are taken randomly for analysis mainly from products from outside the EU. It would be impossible to examine all products brought to Finland.

The Customs Laboratory controls foodstuffs and consumer goods brought in by importers. Contrary to what many visitors thought, products ordered online by private persons are not examined by the Customs Laboratory. Some products imported for commercial purposes may not enter the Finnish market if they don’t meet the requirements. The Customs Laboratory also controls the quality of fuels sold at service stations. Visitors to the fair associated the Customs Laboratory with tasks related to examinations concerning illegal imports, such as narcotics.

Visitors were particularly interested in the following topics: “What kind of products are rejected the most? What kind of findings are typical in certain product groups? Will the Customs Laboratory examine the scarf I’ve ordered from abroad? Why are counterfeit products prohibited?” Regarding products ordered from outside the EU, the responsibility lies with the orderer, and the product may not meet the European safety requirements.

Some of the questions were not really related to Customs’ activities, such as: “What can I take with me when I travel to the United States?” or “Where is the parcel I ordered from abroad, it never arrived?” The authorities of the country concerned and the carrier are the ones to answer such questions, not Finnish Customs.

The Child Fair is next

The visitors thanked us for the good and valuable work we do for the safety of citizens. After the weekend, we had a strong feeling that our work is considered important and that the Customs Laboratory needs visibility also in the future, so that our work for the good of society becomes better known to the general public.

Next April, the Customs Laboratory will participate in the Child Fair at the Expo & Convention Centre Messukeskus in Helsinki. See you there!

Tullilaboratorion tiedotteet