How to identify yourself and grant authorisations

Suomi.fi e-Identification and e-Authorisations will gradually be introduced for all of Customs’ e-services. The Katso ID is in use until all Customs customers have access to Suomi.fi authorisations.

Why does it pay to be identified when using our services?

Even though a service does not require identification, the process runs smoother when you are identified. An identified declarant can usually carry out their business electronically without having to visit a customs office. Moreover, an identified user can use previously lodged declarations as templates for new declarations and can browse previous declarations in the service for a specific time. However, declarants using the Transit Declaration Service must always visit Customs when starting a transit procedure.

Suomi.fi e-Identification
Suomi.fi e-Authorisations
Identification in the EU’s e-services
Katso identification and roles

More information on identification:

Private customers

As an identified customer in our e-services you can

  • clear your goods and pay import duties
  • submit export declarations
  • submit attachments to export and transit declarations
  • send a question to our service Contact Customs Information.

You can identify yourself in different ways

If you have a Finnish personal identification number, you can identify yourself with

  • online banking codes
  • a mobile certificate (a mobile phone with a SIM card that has a mobile certificate) or
  • a certificate card (an identity card granted by the Police, an organisation card granted by VRK, i.e. a civil service card, or the card for professionals in social services or medical professionals, i.e. a Sote ID card ).

Read more on the Suomi.fi means of identification used by Customs: Information on e-Identification (Suomi.fi).

If you cannot identify yourself electronically, you can do business with us in alternative ways or use a representative, for instance a forwarding company or Posti. Customs clearance cannot be done over the phone or by email.

Identifying an EU citizen

Unfortunately, eIDAS identification is not yet in use in our Import Declaration Service, our service Contact Customs Information and Export Declaration Service or Attachment Upload. You can, however, do business with us in the following ways:

  • Authorise another person to submit an import declaration, i.e. perform customs clearance, on your behalf online in our Import Declaration Service.

  • Ask for advice by phone from the Customs Information Service.

  • Authorise an agent, e.g. a forwarding company or Posti, to perform customs clearance on your behalf.
  • Submit an export declaration without identification in our Export Declaration Service
  • Send attachments to Customs by email.
  • Visit a customs office. Contact information and opening hours

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Companies and corporations

As an identified customer in our e-services you can

apply for Binding Tariff Information

apply for AEO authorisation

  • clear your consignment and pay import duties
  • submit export declarations
  • apply for an authorisation for comprehensive guarantee and an authorisation for payment deferment
  • submit attachments to export and transit declarations
  • submit declarations on transit area movements of goods
  • submit declarations on the arrival and exit of goods
  • submit customs warehousing declarations
  • send a question to our service Contact Customs Information
  • apply for an EORI-number
  • submit Intrastat declarations on intra-EU trade
  • submit VAT declarations on imports concerning the Åland Islands
  • test cases in the direct message exchange for customs warehousing
  • test sending attachments to declarations in the message exchange for import, export and warehousing
  • apply for authorisation involving more than one Member State
  • apply for Binding Tariff Information (1 October 2019)
  • apply for AEO authorisation (1 October 2019)

 

Suomi.fi identification and authorisations will gradually be introduced for all of Customs’ e-services

To start with, Suomi-fi identification and authorisations will first be used in the Customs Decisions System (CDS) for authorisations involving more than one member state.  In the search database for binding tariff information (EBTI) and in the e-service AEO authorisation applications (eAEO), the new identification methods and authorisations will be introduced in October. As regards the Åland Island Tax Border Declaration Service (ALA), import, export, Intrastat declarations, security data declarations, transit and other authorisation matters, the Suomi.fi identification and authorisations is likely to be introduced in 2019.

The solutions for identifying foreign nationals and for providing authorisations for special groups will be ready at a later stage. We will provide information on these separately.

The services will be published on this page as and when the Suomi.fi identification and authorisations are introduced in them. Katso identification can be used until the service is discontinued.

You can see all of Customs’ e-authorisations in the e-Authorizations service of Suomi.fi.

Identification using Suomi.fi identification and authorisations

Suomi.fi identification is used every time when logging in to the e-service. Personal online banking IDs, mobile identification or a certificate card are used in Suomi.fi identification.
Suomi.fi authorisation is needed whenever a company employee who is not the CEO or who does not have signatory rights is using Customs’ e-services. The CEO must grant such other employees a mandate to handle the customs transactions that are necessary for the company.

How are mandates granted in practice?

The CEO can grant mandates using Suomi.fi e-Authorizations.

 

The Suomi.fi mandates for transactions used in Customs’ e-services


Customs Decisions System (CDS)

Viewing authorisations for customs operations: With this authorisation, the authorised party (assignee) can view valid customs authorisations on behalf of the authorising party.
Preparing authorisations for customs operations: With this authorisation, the authorised party can view valid customs authorisations, prepare authorisation applications and edit application drafts, as well as send and receive messages related to applications on behalf of the authorising party.
Applying for authorisations for customs operations: With this authorisation, the authorised party can view valid customs authorisations, create, supplement and send in authorisation applications, as well as send and receive messages related to applications and authorisations on behalf of the authorising party.

 

Identification with the Katso identifier

Businesses can log in to several of our services with a Katso ID, which is free of charge. Corporations can also use Katso IDs as well as other public organisations with a business ID. In addition to the Katso Master User role, other roles can also be used in our services.

How do I apply for a Katso identifier?

Obtain the Katso ID from the Finnish Tax Administration. Instructions on how obtain a Katso ID and how to create sub-IDs as well as how to authorise someone else (vero.fi)

You can get support on how to use the Katso-service from our telephone service 029 497 040.

Katso identifiers and roles in Customs’ e-services

Intrastat Declaration Service
Master user ID, Setting up a parallel-Master user ID, Katso ID + CUSTOMS Intrastat role, Katso sub-ID (company representative)

Safety and Security Declaration Service (AREX)
Master user ID, Katso ID + CUSTOMS Customs clearance role

Export Declaration Service
Master user ID, Katso ID + CUSTOMS Customs clearance role

Import clearance
Master user ID, Katso ID + CUSTOMS Customs clearance role

Transit Declaration Service
Master user ID, Katso ID + CUSTOMS Customs clearance role

Customs Warehousing Declaration Service
Master user ID, Katso ID + CUSTOMS Customs clearance role

Åland Tax Border Declaration Service (ALA)
Master user ID, Katso ID + CUSTOMS Customs clearance role

Attachment Delivery Service
Master user ID, Katso ID + CUSTOMS Customs clearance role

Message Exchange Testing Service
Master User ID, Katso ID + Customs role Service provider

Authorisation services
Master user ID, Katso ID + Customs Authorisation Service, consultative role

  • The user can log in to the Customs Authorisation Service. The user can browse authorisation decisions in the main view and view detailed information on the decisions.

Master user ID, Katso ID + Customs Authorisation Service, administrative role

  • The user can log in to the Customs Authorisation Service. The user can browse authorisation decisions as well as authorisation applications sent to Customs. The user has the right to enter information in authorisation applications. The user can manage appendices to an application. 

Master user ID, Katso ID + Customs Authorisation Service, executive role

  • The user can log in to the Customs Authorisation Service. The user can browse authorisation decisions as well as authorisation applications sent to Customs. The user has the right to enter information in authorisation applications. The user can manage appendices to an application. The user can also send applications as well as authorisation-related information and requests to Customs.

The service Contact Customs Information
Katso ID (no user roles)

Applying for an EORI Number Service
Katso ID (no user roles)

The online service “Applying for a message exchange authorisation”
Master User ID, Katso ID + Customs role Service provider

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General instructions for businesses

General instructions for businesses offers advice from Monday to Friday 8 am–4 pm. Have a look at the FAQ or contact us with your question.

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FAQ

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