Commodity code

Customs needs to know the commodity code for the imported goods in order to calculate the correct amount of possible duties and taxes. When you declare goods in the Import Declaration Service for private persons, you can use the ‘Goods search,’ which contains the most commonly declared goods. Enter a search word in the goods search in the service, and select the goods to be declared from the list. If you find the goods by using the goods search, the commodity code is automatically transferred to Customs.

If you can’t find the goods by using the goods search, you can request the commodity code via chat (Monday to Friday 8.00‒16.15). The chat is available in the Import Declaration Service for private persons, when you declare in Finnish or Swedish.

If you need the commodity code for some other reason, you can search for it in the commodity code service Fintaric or ask the Customs Information Service. See YouTube for guidance on how to use Fintaric.

However, you do not need the commodity code

  • if you are declaring goods arriving
  • for gifts
    • that have a value of 45 euros or less AND
    • that you have received from a private person AND
    • that do not contain alcohol or tobacco products.

Points to consider

All commodities have been given numerical codes, or commodity codes, that work as a kind of common language for almost all foreign trade. The use of these numerical codes is required by the customs administrations of almost all countries, and various other authorities.

Goods imported from outside the EU must be cleared through customs, at which point a commodity code must be declared for all the goods. Goods cannot be cleared without a commodity code. Finding the correct commodity code is important, so that the correct amount and type of duties, taxes and other payments are made, and the right regulations are applied. As importer, you are responsible for classifying the goods correctly.


You can ask the Customs Information Service for advice about commodity codes, collected taxes and duties and any restrictions. Be prepared to explain what kinds of goods you are thinking about importing. Determining the correct commodity code requires an accurate description of the goods with at least the following information:

  • the material of the goods
  • purpose of use
  • in case of a device: what device, its basic functions (e.g. just ‘electronics’ is not sufficient)
  • what the product contains (e.g. natural health products).

The Taric database of the European Commission contains e.g. the following:

  • valid commodity codes and code texts as well as their footnotes
  • duties on imports from outside the EU
  • tariff measures, such as anti-dumping duties, according to the EU legislation
  • EU import and export restrictions and prohibitions
  • agricultural components (EA), additional duties for sugar and flour (AD S/Z, AD F/M)
  • some other measures applied to export or import.

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