Finland
FI · FIN
As of: 7/23/2026
EU-Nordland / Ostsee-Hub / Transitland
Capital: Helsinki
EU / EurozoneSeaRoadRailAirImport VAT: Einfuhr-MwSt Normalsatz 25,5 Prozent (seit 1.9.2024)Customs: mittelRisk: niedrigPharma/Cold Chain: mittelDangerous Goods: mittel bis hochE-Commerce: hoch
Overview
Finland (FI) is an EU and eurozone country in Northern Europe with a long Baltic Sea coastline, acting as the EU's northern gateway and a Baltic hub. As an EU member, Finland is part of the EU customs union; national clearance runs in Finnish Customs' (Tulli) UTU system, with transit via NCTS. Import VAT is 25.5 percent (reduced rates 13.5 and 10 percent). The main gateways are Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) for air cargo and the seaports of HaminaKotka (the largest universal and container port), Helsinki, Turku/Naantali and the oil port of Sköldvik/Porvoo. By road, the E18 (Turku–Helsinki–Vaalimaa), E75, E12 and E8 connect the country; rail runs on 1,524 mm broad gauge along the Helsinki–Tampere–Oulu axis with a link to Sweden via Tornio/Haparanda. The land border with Russia has been closed since late 2023. Key exports are paper and pulp, machinery and electronics; main trading partners are Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US.
Mentioned countries
Area338,424 km²
Population5,653,000
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Economic areaEU / Eurozone
ContinentEurope
ReligionsLutheranismus, Orthodoxie, Islam, Katholizismus
ISO codeFI / FIN
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Finnischer Zoll (Tulli / Finnish Customs)Import system
EU-Zollunion; nationale Abwicklung im Customs Clearance System UTU (löst AREX/ITU schrittweise ab), Versand über NCTS, EORI-Nummer erforderlich.
Export system
Ausfuhr im Customs Clearance System UTU; seit Okt. 2024 neue Ausfuhr-/Ausgangsmeldungen, AREX wird abgelöst. EU-Ausfuhrverfahren mit MRN.
Import VAT
- Einfuhr-MwSt Normalsatz 25,5 Prozent (seit 1.9.2024)
- ermässigte Sätze 13,5 Prozent (seit 1.1.2026) und 10 Prozent. Verwaltung Steuerverwaltung Vero.
Customs complexitymittel
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Frachtbrief (CMR/B-L/AWB)
- Einfuhranmeldung (UTU)
- ggf. Präferenznachweis
- ggf. Einfuhrgenehmigungen
Export documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Ausfuhranmeldung (MRN)
- Frachtdokument
- Ursprungsnachweis (EUR.1/REX)
- ggf. Ausfuhrgenehmigung
Origin proofs / FTA
EU-Präferenzursprung über die EU-Freihandelsabkommen; Nachweise EUR.1, Ursprungserklärung auf der Rechnung und REX (registrierte Ausführer).
Restricted & prohibited goods
EU-weite Verbote und Beschränkungen; Genehmigungspflicht u.a. für Waffen, Dual-Use, Lebensmittel, Pflanzen/Tiere (SPS), Abfälle und Sanktionsgüter.
Export controls & sanctions
EU-Dual-Use-Verordnung 2021/821 (Genehmigungspflicht); EU-Sanktionen gegen Russland/Belarus. Aufsicht Aussenministerium und Zoll (Tulli).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (EU) — General process
Quick operational overview for shipments to the EU. The EU is a customs union; for imports from non‑EU countries, customs clearance and import VAT are typically key topics.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification (duties/taxes and restrictions)
- Importer EORI and (where relevant) origin/preference documents
- Transport documents (AWB / Bill of Lading) depending on mode
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin/preference)
- Import clearance at the EU entry customs office (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; import VAT/duties based on classification and value
Common pitfalls
- Incoterms unclear → who clears customs/pays import VAT?
- Missing/wrong HS code/classification → delays and cost risk
- Origin/preference not properly documented → preference may not apply
- Inconsistent documents (invoice vs packing list vs shipment data)
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Air
mediumSea
highRoad
highRail
mediumInland Waterway
lowCargo airports
- Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL)
Seaports / access ports
- HaminaKotka
- Helsinki
- Turku/Naantali
- Kotka
- Sköldvik/Porvoo (Öl)
Road corridors & border crossings
- E18 (Turku-Helsinki-Vaalimaa)
- E75
- E12
- E8 (Bottnischer Bogen)
Rail corridors
- VR-Netz, Breitspur 1524 mm
- Helsinki-Tampere-Oulu
- Anbindung Schweden via Tornio/Haparanda
Top trade lanes
- Finnland-Deutschland
- Finnland-Schweden
- Finnland-Niederlande
- Ostsee/Baltikum
- Finnland-China
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskniedrig
Customs delay riskniedrig
Port congestion riskniedrig bis mittel
Risk notes
Stabiles EU-Land mit zuverlässiger Infrastruktur. Hauptrisiken: strenges Winterwetter, lange Distanzen im Norden und die seit Ende 2023 geschlossene Landgrenze zu Russland.
Seasonal & weather risks
Strenge Winter (Schnee, Eis, Frost) von Nov. bis März; Eisgang in der Ostsee erfordert Eisbrecher-Assistenz für Häfen. Kurze, milde Sommer.
Current logistics notes
Keine landesweite Störung verifiziert; Landgrenze zu Russland seit Ende 2023 geschlossen, Transitgeschäft nach Osten entfallen. Bevölkerung rund 5,65 Mio. (Ende 2025). (Stand 2026-07-23)
As of: 2026-07-23
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
As of: Jul 23, 2026
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | National | |||
| Jan 6, 2026 | Epiphany | National | |||
| Apr 3, 2026 | Good Friday | National | |||
| Apr 5, 2026 | Easter Sunday | National | |||
| Apr 6, 2026 | Easter Monday | National | |||
| May 1, 2026 | May Day (Vappu) | National | |||
| May 14, 2026 | Ascension Day | National | |||
| May 24, 2026 | Whit Sunday | National | |||
| Jun 20, 2026 | Midsummer Day | National | Midsummer (incl. Juhannusaatto on the eve) largely shuts down Finnish business and transport; many companies already close on Friday. | ||
| Oct 31, 2026 | All Saints' Day | National | |||
| Dec 6, 2026 | Independence Day | National | |||
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | National | Jouluaatto (24 Dec) is not a statutory holiday, but most businesses are de facto closed. | ||
| Dec 26, 2026 | St. Stephen's Day | National |
New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2026
Customs closed
Epiphany
Jan 6, 2026
Customs closed
Good Friday
Apr 3, 2026
Customs closed
Easter Sunday
Apr 5, 2026
Customs closed
Easter Monday
Apr 6, 2026
Customs closed
May Day (Vappu)
May 1, 2026
Customs closed
Ascension Day
May 14, 2026
Customs closed
Whit Sunday
May 24, 2026
Customs closed
Midsummer Day
Jun 20, 2026
Customs closed
Midsummer (incl. Juhannusaatto on the eve) largely shuts down Finnish business and transport; many companies already close on Friday.
All Saints' Day
Oct 31, 2026
Customs closed
Independence Day
Dec 6, 2026
Customs closed
Christmas Day
Dec 25, 2026
Customs closed
Jouluaatto (24 Dec) is not a statutory holiday, but most businesses are de facto closed.
St. Stephen's Day
Dec 26, 2026
Customs closed
Sources: https://almanakka.helsinki.fi/en/flag-days-and-holidays-in-finland-2026/ · https://almanakka.helsinki.fi/en/
Airports in this country
Helsinki Vantaa Airport
HEL · Helsinki (Vantaa)
Enontekio Airport
ENF · Enontekio
Halli Airport
KEV · Jämsä
Helsinki East-Redstone Aerodrome
Helsinki (Pyhtää)
Ivalo Airport
IVL · Ivalo
Joensuu Airport
JOE · Joensuu
Jyväskylä Airport
JYV · Jyväskylän Maalaiskunta
Kajaani Airport
KAJ · Kajaani
Kauhajoki Airfield
KHJ · Kauhajoki
Kauhava Airfield
KAU · Kauhava
Kemi-Tornio Airport
KEM · Kemi / Tornio
Kitee Airport
KTQ · Kitee
Seaports in this country
Latest News
More content for this country
As content becomes available, additional information and articles will automatically appear here.
Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-07-23
Official sources
- tulli.fi
- vero.fi
- stat.fi
- um.fi
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Is Finland part of the EU customs union?
Yes. Finland is an EU member and part of the EU customs union and the eurozone. There are no customs controls within the EU; the Common Customs Tariff applies to third countries.
What is the import VAT rate in Finland?
The standard VAT rate is 25.5 percent (since 1 Sept 2024). Reduced rates are 13.5 percent (since 1 Jan 2026) and 10 percent.
What are Finland's main ports?
HaminaKotka is the largest universal and container port, Helsinki leads by cargo value, and Sköldvik is the main oil port. Others include Turku/Naantali and Kotka.
Which airport handles air cargo?
Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) is the central cargo airport; about 90 percent of Finland's international air traffic passes through it.
Which customs system does Finland use?
Finnish Customs (Tulli) processes imports and exports in the UTU clearance system; transit runs via NCTS. An EORI number is required.
What are the special logistics risks?
Harsh winters with Baltic sea ice require icebreaker assistance. In addition, the land border with Russia has been closed since late 2023, ending eastbound transit business.
Which trade partners are important for Finland?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Finland?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Last updated: