Moving with pets

Before the animal arrives in Finland

Find out about the import requirements that apply to your pet and any need for a veterinary border inspection. Read the instructions from the Finnish Food Authority for arranging an inspection.

1. Submit the documents about the animal to Finnish Food Authority in advance for approval.
2. The Food Authority will let you know if the animal must undergo a veterinary border inspection. If an inspection is not needed, Customs inspects the microchip on the animal, as well as the documents relating to import requirements (vaccination certificate)
3. If the animal has to be inspected by the border veterinarian, you should book the veterinary border inspection with the Food Authority no later than 24 hours before the arrival of the animal.

When the animal arrives at Helsinki Airport among air freight

1. The animal arrives in the temporary storage facility of the freight carrier.
2. The veterinary border inspection takes place at the veterinary border inspection post.
   - The inspection post is located in the temporary storage facility of Finnair Cargo Oy (Turbiinikuja 4, 01530 Vantaa)
   - The veterinarian will arrive at the BIP at the time you have booked.
   - The person who imports the animal must participate in the inspection.
   - If the animal arrives in some other temporary storage facility besides that of Finnair Cargo Oy, the storage operator transports the animal to the border inspection post, and back to the temporary storage facility.
3. If a veterinary border control is not performed on the animal, Customs will control the animal's documents and microchip. The person who imports the animal must participate in the inspection.
4. After the veterinary border inspection, you can
   - authorise a representative to take care of customs clearance on your behalf
   - visit our customer service point for customs clearance at the address Rahtitie 1 A.
   The service point is open on weekdays from 8.00 to 16.15. At other times, you can call the number 0295 527 039.
   If a veterinary border control was performed on the animal, attach the CHED-A document from the Traces system to the customs clearance. If you are moving to Finland from outside the EU, you should attach a document verifying your residency abroad to your customs clearance. This qualifies you to import your animal as removal goods, and you do not have to pay customs duty or tax.
5. Submit the decision on release to the temporary storage operator so they can hand over the animal to you.