We monitor and the movement of goods across the nation’s border and inspect goods. We protect the environment and the health of citizens by seizing from the flow of goods products that are harmful to health and the environment. This way, we combat illicit activity and prevent the spread of plant and animal diseases. We also protect biodiversity, the forestry industry’s operating conditions, the food industry and food production in cooperation with several public authorities.
Finnish Customs has a new role as the national authority in charge of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The CBAM creates an economic incentive system for third-country manufacturers and EU importers to reduce emissions from production processes. As a national authority, we also naturally contribute to sustainable activities as part of our field of operations.
By monitoring hazardous materials, chemical and waste transportation, and the roadworthiness of vehicles, we ensure that hazardous substances, chemicals, and waste do not cause harm to nature and to citizens. Among other things, we stop vehicles that are malfunctioning, overloaded or incorrectly loaded from entering the flow of traffic in Finland.
We monitor product safety by testing the regulatory compliance of products in the Customs Laboratory. With the targeted control of food and consumer goods, we protect the health of consumers first and foremost. Meanwhile, we also prevent food fraud and promote fair competition among companies. Every year, up to one in ten products are found to be non-compliant with product safety regulations. For example, a toy can present a strangulation or choking hazard for a child, and a food product can contain microorganisms or pesticides that are harmful to health.
