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

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
   - see to it yourself in the Customs Clearance Service
   - visit our customer service point for customs clearance at the address Rahtitie 1 B.
   The service point is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4.15 p.m.
   If a veterinary border control was performed on the animal, attach the CHED-A document from the Traces system to the customs clearance.
5. 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.
6. Submit the decision on release to the temporary storage operator so they can hand over the animal to you.

Read instructions about how to declare a live animal in the Customs Clearance Service.