Firearms and dangerous objects

Dangerous objects

It is prohibited to bring dangerous objects, such as knuckle dusters, shurikens, edged weapons disguised as other objects, tasers, electric batons, spring batons and precision slingshots into Finland.

However, you can bring in or order a knife or a sword to Finland. According to the Public Order Act, the import of them is not prohibited, but the possession of knives and swords in a public place is subject to restrictions.

The Customs restrictions manual - dangerous objects (in Finnish).

Firearms, firearm components, cartridges and gas sprays

As regards firearms, firearm components that require a permit, gas sprays and cartridges, their

  • import from outside the EU
  • export to countries outside the EU
  • transit via Finland
  • movement from one EU country to another

is restricted and requires a permit or licence.

In Finland, permits and licences for acquiring and possessing firearms and firearm components are granted by the police, and in some cases by the National Police Board. Customs does not grant permits and licences under the Firearms Act.

Contact the police to find out if a permit is needed in your case. Read more about permits and licences and how to apply for them on the police’s website.

Before you travel

Check with the police what permits or licences you need in Finland in order to take firearms, firearm components that require a permit, gas sprays and cartridges with you abroad. Note that the police and the National Police Board only grant permits that are required in Finland.
You should find out from the authorities or embassy of the destination country what the procedure is for permits and declarations in that country.

Read the Customs restrictions manual (only available in Finnish) to find out in what situations you have to present the firearms, the firearm components that require a permit, the gas sprays and cartridges as well as the permit certificates to Customs.

When you return

Check with the police what permits or licences you need in Finland in order to bring firearms, firearm components that require a permit, gas sprays and cartridges into Finland.

Read the Customs restrictions manual (only available in Finnish) to find out in what situations you have to present the firearms or restricted goods, as well as the permit certificates, to Customs.
Present the required goods and permit certificates to Customs on your arrival in Finland. Choose the red channel.

Deactivated firearm refers to an object that used to be a functioning firearm, but has since been rendered permanently unfit for use.

Deactivated weapons may not have been sufficiently deactivated. Deactivated weapons are imported to Finland for, for example, collectors. In some cases, firearms have not been deactivated to the extent prescribed by Finnish law, which means that they are still classified as firearms. The weapons have to be deactivated again before they can be handed over to the importer. 

Guidance on imports of deactivated firearms can be found in the Customs restrictions manual (only in Finnish) under Ampuma-aseet, aseen osat, patruunat ja erityisen vaaralliset ammukset (Firearms, firearm components, cartridges and specially dangerous projectiles).

Find out the permits and licences required for import of firearms, firearm components, cartridges and gas sprays from the police or from the National Police Board.

Read the Customs restrictions manual (only available in Finnish) to find out in what situations you have to present the weapons or restricted goods, as well as the permit certificates, to Customs.

If you are planning to buy a weapon from abroad, contact the police to find out if a permit is required in your case.

Read the Customs restrictions manual (only available in Finnish) to find out in what situations you have to present the weapons or restricted goods, as well as the permit certificates, to Customs.

Note that, as a rule, you must lodge a customs declaration for goods ordered from outside the EU and pay any import duties and taxes due on the goods. Read more about import duties and taxes.

Customs supervises import goods that are subject to restrictions by means of risk analysis and X-ray, with the help of detector dogs, and by performing goods inspections when needed.

The applicable legislation can be found in the Customs restrictions manual: