You still have time to visit the Customs Museum this summer! Step on board the world of car ferries and dive into the depths of smuggling
The Customs Museum, always free-of-charge to enter, offers you an insight to Customs activities and the car ferry traffic on the Baltic Sea. The Customs Museum will be open until 1 September from 12.30 to 17.30, Tuesday through Sunday.
The Customs Museum has had a busy summer season which will continue until the start of September. Our new video shows you the route to the Museum so you can find your way easily to the experiences it offers. The Customs Museum displays changing thematic exhibitions, as well as a basic exhibition focusing on the history of Finnish Customs.
In August, there is still time to explore the history of Customs, and to see and hear stories about car ferries, smuggling and the work of the Customs Laboratory, and many other things.
Revive your personal memories of boat cruises and check out the Finnjet speedometer
The “By Ferry from the West” thematic exhibition focuses on the history of Customs and the car ferries that once sailed the Baltic Sea. The nostalgia-laden exhibition explores the world of car ferries through old objects, miniature models and items that once were a part of Customs activity.
These days, the Baltic Sea car ferries are known most of all for the experiences they offer, as well as their shopping and leisure options. Car ferries have provided an important link to the west for Finland and the Finns since the mid-1900s. For a long time, the most important travel destinations for Finns were Sweden and Germany. In later times, Estonia and the ship traffic to Tallinn took on an important role. The exhibition delves into the significant role that Customs has in terms of customs regulations and in combating smuggling, among other things.
The exhibition displays brochures, souvenirs and photographs that cover the entire colourful history of car ferries. You will also learn why car ferries were such a huge success story particularly on the Baltic Sea.
Take a walk through Customs history and delve into smuggling
The basic exhibition at the Customs Museum covers the history of Finnish Customs from the medieval period to the present day. The focal themes of the exhibition are the development of customs procedures, the significant changes that Customs has experienced, and the combat against smuggling which has been a key element of our work throughout history. In addition to other topics, the exhibition takes a look at the tasks of the Customs Laboratory and addresses interesting cases that Customs has encountered over the years. For example, you get to see items that were smuggled back when alcohol was prohibited in Finland, as well as objects that Customs has seized.
The basic exhibition at the Customs Museum is currently under renewal. For example, this summer for the first time the exhibition displays a fur coat that once belonged to a border prosecutor. The exhibition will undergo further expansion for next summer.
The Customs Museum closes on 1 September 2024. In the autumn, you can visit the Museum when you contact us for a guided group tour. Our exhibitions will be open to the public once again next spring.
You are welcome to spend a summer day in Suomenlinna, and pay a visit to the Customs Museum on Susisaari island. Entry to the Customs Museum is always free of charge.
Have a look at the Customs Museum and watch the video on how to get there on the Customs Museum website.