Border crossing points on the eastern border to remain closed until further notice

On 16 April 2025, the Finnish Government decided to continue the closure of the border crossing points on the eastern border. The decision will continue the restrictions from 17 April 2025 until further notice, in accordance with the Government decision that entered into force on 15 April 2024. The threat of the phenomenon of instrumentalised migration, which began in November 2023, has been interrupted by earlier decisions. However, the threat of a resurgence and expansion of the phenomenon is still considered likely. 

Until further notice, goods and passenger traffic by road at the land border between Finland and Russia is not possible at the border crossing points of Imatra, Kuusamo, Niirala, Nuijamaa, Raja-Jooseppi, Salla, Vaalimaa and Vartius. The Vainikkala border crossing point will continue to remain open for freight train traffic.

The new decision also extends the closure for leisure boats at the border crossing points for maritime traffic in Haapasaari, the port of Nuijamaa and Santio. However, the restrictions on maritime traffic do not apply to freight vessels.

You can check alternatives for your customs transactions and the service hours of the customs offices on the Finnish Customs website.

More information: 
Finnish Government press release of 16 April 2025: Finland's eastern border to remain closed until further notice
Government decision of 16 April 2025: Government decision (in Finnish) on the temporary closure of border crossing points and on the centralisation of the submission of applications for international protection 
Customer notice of 5 April 2024: Border crossing points on the eastern border remain closed until further notice