Animals

Ask the Finnish Food Authority about the restrictions and regulations regarding the importation of pets.

Clear the pet through Customs when you enter the country. Present documents and the invoice for the pet in connection with the customs clearance. You can bring in the pet without paying duties or taxes as long as the value limit for imports by travellers is not exceeded. The value limit is 430 or 300 euros depending on which transport vehicle you use. If the value limit is exceeded, the amount of VAT payable is 24% of the purchase price plus transport costs and possible insurance costs. Read more about import duties and taxes.

1. For Customs to be able to check the ID markings of your pet and the import documents, you may only import it to Finland through approved entry points.
2. Choose the red channel at Customs and present your pet to the customs officers for inspection. Note: At Vaalimaa and Nuijamaa, pets are to be presented for inspection to the Border Guard.
3. The animal must carry an identifier, usually a microchip, and it must have been vaccinated against rabies. For certain countries, the animal must have been tested for rabies antibodies. The required certificates must be presented. Dogs must also be treated against tapeworm causing echinococcosis. Consult Finnish Food Authority in advance to find out what import requirements apply to your pet. 
4. If the import requirements are not met, the animal will be required to be returned to the country of dispatch or euthanised. As the importer, you are responsible for all costs incurred.
5. If your normal place of residence has been outside the EU for at least 12 months and you have owned the pet for more than six months, you do not have to pay customs duty and VAT for the pet. If this is not the case, be prepared to pay the duties and taxes due.
6. For more information about the above matters, go to Finnish Food Authority’s website.

Before the animal arrives in Finland

1. Consult Finnish Food Authority by email to find out about the import requirements that apply to your pet and any need for a veterinary border inspection.
2. Submit the documents about the animal to Finnish Food Authority in advance for approval.
3. Finnish Food Authority will notify you whether the animal will be inspected by the border veterinarian or by Customs.
4. If the animal has to be inspected by the border veterinarian, you should book the veterinary border inspection with Finnish Food Authority 24 hours before the arrival of the animal. Read Finnish Food Authority's guidance.

When the animal arrives at Helsinki Airport

1. The animal arrives at the freight carrier’s terminal.
2. The veterinary border inspection is performed at the border inspection post (BIP) at Finnair Cargo Oy:s terminal. The veterinarian will arrive at the BIP at the time you have booked.
3. If no veterinary border inspection is performed on the animal, Customs will check its documents and microchip when you come to pick up the animal and you clear it through Customs. 
4. After the veterinary border inspection, you should go to Customs’ customer service point for customs clearance at the address Rahtitie 1, Door D. The service point is open on weekdays from 8.00 am to 18.30 pm. At other times, the customs clearance is performed at Customs at the airport’s passenger Terminal 2B.
5. At the customs clearance point, you should present proof of your residence abroad, so that the animal can be imported free of customs duty and tax when you are moving countries. Be prepared to pay the taxes and duties due if the duty-free treatment for removal goods cannot be applied.