Diplomatic consignments for foreign missions brought in as freight must be cleared for import electronically as of 1 June 2021

As of 1 June 2021, import declarations on diplomatic consignments for foreign missions that arrive in Finland as freight, are to be submitted to Finnish Customs electronically. At the same time, the use of paper SAD forms for import declarations by foreign missions ends, i.e., SAD forms can no longer be submitted to customs offices of Finnish Customs. The change is related to the renewal of import declarations. 

As of 1 June, missions can either submit electronic import declarations in the service – Import declarations for businesses, or authorise a representative to clear the goods. Please note that, in order to log in to the service – Import declarations for businesses, you must identify yourself using Suomi.fi identification, and you need an EORI number. 

A consignment addressed to a diplomatic agent or to a family member of their household, can still be cleared through customs by visiting a customs office or by authorising a representative to clear the goods.

Details required for customs clearance

The details required for the clearance can be found in the consignment note and in the arrival notice. A declaration for a diplomatic consignment containing goods must be accompanied with a certificate approved by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, stating that the goods are exempt from tax (the so-called French paper). 

The warehouse keeper releases the diplomatic consignment against a decision on release. If the diplomatic consignment arrives by Posti, or is delivered by an express freight company, the customs system sends the decision on release electronically to the warehouse keeper.

Online services user support

The online services support gives guidance to missions on how to complete the declaration, tel. 0295 5207, Mon–Fri, 8 am–6 pm and to private customers, tel. 0295 5206, Mon–Fri, 8 am–6 pm.
 

More information: Diplomatic removal goods - Customs