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Everything is declared also to the Åland Islands – even small consignments must now be declared

Are you ordering goods from online stores in mainland Finland, in EU-countries or in non-EU countries? All freight and postal consignments arriving in Åland must now be declared and VAT must also be paid for them.

White icons representing various goods, among other things, are displayed against a dark blue background along with the text “Customs checklist for Åland”.

Åland is part of the customs territory of the EU, but not of the fiscal territory of the EU. That is why the declaration requirement has applied to almost all consignments arriving in Åland. Consignments have also been subject to VAT. Exceptions to this have been consignments worth no more than 22 euros.

From July 2021, it has been mandatory to declare even small consignments arriving in Åland from mainland Finland, from other EU-countries and from outside the EU and to pay VAT for them. The change is due to a legal act on VAT that was amended on 1 July 2021. Consignments arriving in Åland are declared in much the same way as consignments arriving in Finland from outside the EU. Read more detailed instructions on the page Everything must be declared.

Check if the seller has a tax border number

When declaring consignments arriving in Åland, there are a few exceptions compared to mainland Finland.

If the consignment arrives from mainland Finland: 

If the seller has a tax border number, the seller declares the goods on your behalf and the VAT is included in the price of the goods. When the consignment arrives, you don’t have to declare it or pay the VAT again. That is, you will receive the goods in the same way as before.

If the seller doesn’t have a tax border number, the consignment must be declared and VAT must be paid in connection with customs clearance. This must be done, even if the VAT is included in the price.

The change in legislation also affects newspaper and magazine subscriptions

The change in legislation also affects subscribed newspapers and magazines arriving in Åland.

If the newspaper or magazine arrives from mainland Finland: 

If the seller has a tax border number, the seller declares the newspaper or magazine on your behalf and the VAT is included in the price of the newspaper or magazine. When the newspaper or magazine arrives, you don’t have to declare it or pay the VAT again. The newspaper or magazine arrives as before.

If the seller doesn’t have a tax border number, you may need to declare the newspaper or magazine and pay VAT in connection with customs clearance. This must be done, even if the VAT is included in the price of the newspaper or magazine. The seller usually declares the newspapers or magazines included in the same subscription period on your behalf and the VAT is included in the price of the subscription period. If the seller doesn’t declare the subscription period on your behalf, you can declare the newspapers or magazines included in the same the subscription period and pay the VAT for them at the same time. Membership magazines and magazines free of charge don’t have to be declared.

If the newspaper or magazine arrives from within the EU:

The newspaper or magazine must be declared and VAT must be paid in connection with customs clearance. You can submit a declaration and pay the VAT for the newspapers or magazines included in the same subscription period at the same time.

If the newspaper or magazine arrives from outside the EU:  

Each issue of the newspaper or magazine must be declared separately. You must also pay VAT individually for each issue. However, if you paid the VAT in connection with the subscription, the company sending the newspapers or magazines may declare them on your behalf.

What is a tax border number?

If the company has a tax border number, VAT is always included in the price of the sold goods. The tax border number is only used in the trade between Åland and mainland Finland.


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Any questions?

Contact Customs Information Mon–Fri 8 am–4.15 pm

Please have a look at the frequently asked questions.

If you have a question about the arrival of parcels, its contents or the handling fee, please contact Posti.

Customs Information Service


Keywords Åland