Authorisations 


A company can streamline its operation with authorisations granted by Customs. The authorisations are free of charge.

In some cases of import, export and transit of goods an authorisation granted by Customs is mandatory. A mandatory authorisation is, e.g., a customs warehousing authorisation, when the company stores undeclared goods in their own facilities. 

The authorisation used most often by companies is the comprehensive guarantee authorisation, which the company must have before applying for several other authorisations. Authorisations that require a comprehensive guarantee authorisation are, for example, the authorisations for inward processing, transit and warehousing. 

When the company is a holder a comprehensive guarantee authorisation and an authorisation for deferment of payment, it will have around five weeks to pay the charges to be levied on import. 

How to apply for an authorisation 

  1. The authorisations are applied for in the Authorisations and Decisions Service (Customs online services), in the CDS-system (EU Trader Portal), or with a form. AEO authorisations are applied for in the eAEO Service (EU Trader Portal). Check the authorisation type descriptions on these pages to know which application procedure to use. If you are unable to log into the Authorisation Service or the Customs Decisions System, please contact the Customs Information Service.
  2. Submit the application well before you need the authorisation. Completing the application with care will speed up its processing. 
  3. You will receive the decision regarding your application either to the Authorisations and Decisions Service or to the CDS-system, with a secure email or by post to the address you have provided in the application, depending on how you sent your application and whether you agree to use secure email. 
  4. The processing of your application is 30–120 days, depending on the type of authorisation. 
  5. You can apply for an amendment of a decision issued by Customs. The decision contains instructions on how to file a claim for revision. The claim must be filed within 30 days of receiving the decision.

Processing the authorisation application at Customs

For the application to be granted, the company must fulfil the obligations of the authorisation. When assessing if the conditions for the authorisation are met, Customs carries out different controls; for example of the applicant’s facilities, accounts and operation. The need for controls depends on which type of authorisation the application concerns.

  • Customs investigates the applicant’s earlier customs transactions, for example the quantity and quality of the applicant’s import and export declarations.
  • A questionnaire regarding the company's business operation is included in some of the authorisation applications. The questions concern, for example, the company’s system for accounts and logistics, competence and data security. It is advisable to read the questions before submitting the application. Attach the answers regarding your company to the application, since this speeds the processing of the application. Customs will analyse the answers and will contact you for more details if needed. 
  • Description on the accounting system and logistics system
  • When the authorisation requires it, the applicant’s economic situation is analysed during the application process. The economic situation affects the amount of comprehensive guarantee required, among other things. Read more: Comprehensive guarantee
  • The descriptions of the authorisations show in detail what the requirements are for granting the type of authorisation in question.

Notify Customs about changes well in advance 

Changes to an authorisation must be applied, for example, when changes occur to the range of goods, customs procedures, reference amount of the guarantee, the accounting system for customs purposes or to some other matter, which affects the application of the authorisation. 

Notify the changes well in advance. The processing of the application for changes may take 30–120 days, depending on the type of authorisation.

How to apply for a change to an authorisation?

In most cases a change to an authorisation is applied for electronically in the Authorisations and Decisions Service. In some cases a change is applied with a form. Check the authorisation type descriptions on these pages to know which application procedure to use.

Corporate arrangements

When corporate arrangements are imminent, contact the Business Information Service well in advance and find out how to act in that situation. A company merger or division usually cause changes to the authorisations granted by Customs. Forming a new company (new business ID) requires completely new authorisations. When the business ID changes it is not a question of a change to an authorisation, therefore, a new authorisation must be applied for. 

When the name of the contact person or the address of your company changes

When the name of the contact person or the address of your company changes, inform Customs by sending a message to lupakeskus(at) tulli.fi. Tell Customs from which date the changes are in force. 

If the changes concern AEO authorisation, notify Customs on the address aeo(at)tulli.fi. 
Changes to the company’s name or address do not require a change to the authorisation. 

Annulment of authorisation

If you require for an authorisation to be annulled, please notify the Customs Authorisation Centre by email to lupakeskus(at)tulli.fi. In your message, you should give the reason for the annulment, the number of your authorisation, as well as the name, EORI number and address of the authorisation holder, and the name and email address of your contact person. You should also indicate the date on which the annulment is to become effective.

Authorisations for private persons

A private person might also need an authorisation when moving from a non-EU country to Finland. For example, they might need an authorisation for advance import of removal goods free of customs duty, or a possible special authorisation. More detailed information on the different types of authorisations on the page Relief from customs duty.