Finland customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026·Official source

Finland is in the EU customs union, so rules differ sharply between EU and non-EU arrivals. The biggest trap for non-EU travellers: you must be 20 to bring in spirits, and the 1-litre spirits limit is strict. From 2026, cash declaration threshold remains €10,000 for all travellers entering or leaving the EU.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 L spirits (over 22% ABV) OR 2 L of other alcoholic beverages (under 22% ABV) AND 4 L still wine AND 16 L beer. Must be 18+ for all alcohol, 20+ for spirits. Duty-free value threshold: €430 (approx. USD 470).

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,900

€10,000 (approx. USD 10,900) or equivalent in any currency. Declare using the EU Cash Declaration Form at the red channel or to Customs before the green channel. Applies to cash, bearer cheques, money orders, and gold coins.

Goods duty-free

$470

Duty-free allowance for goods up to €430 (approx. USD 470) for air/sea travellers, €300 (approx. USD 330) for land travellers. Above that, flat 2.5% duty plus 24% VAT (ALV) applies. Personal goods up to €430 are duty-free.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, even for medical use without permit)
Counterfeit goods (brand fakes, pirated items)
Endangered species products (CITES items without permit, e.g., ivory, caviar over 125g)
Firearms, ammunition, and explosives without a permit
Pornography depicting minors or extreme violence
Certain plants and soil (e.g., potatoes, oak trees, soil from non-EU countries)

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Medications containing narcotics or psychotropics (require Fimea import permit)
Firearms and ammunition (must have a European Firearms Pass or Finnish permit)
Live animals and pets (require rabies vaccination, EU pet passport, and possibly blood test)
Cultural heritage objects (antiques over 50 years old may need export permit from the National Board of Antiquities)
Drones (must comply with EU drone regulations; registration and insurance required)

Arriving: red vs green channel

Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare (goods within duty-free limits, no restricted/prohibited items). Use the red channel if you have goods to declare, cash over €10,000, or restricted items. No arrival card; customs relies on random checks and risk profiling.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Global Blue / Planet Tax Free: minimum purchase €40 per receipt. Claim at Helsinki-Vantaa or other border points before check-in. Show goods, receipt, and passport. Refund is 14-16% of the VAT (24% standard rate).

Bringing medication

Personal medications for up to 3 months allowed without a permit if you have a prescription or doctor's note. Narcotics and psychotropic substances (e.g., strong painkillers like codeine, ADHD meds like Ritalin) require a prior import permit from Fimea. Some common Western meds (e.g., melatonin, certain antidepressants) may be restricted.

Food, plants & animal products

No meat, milk, or dairy products from outside the EU. Fruits, vegetables, plants, and seeds must be declared and may require a phytosanitary certificate. Banned: potatoes, soil, and certain tree species. From EU countries, most food is allowed in reasonable personal quantities.

Rules worth knowing

EU vs. Non-EU rules

If you arrive from another EU country, you can bring unlimited alcohol and tobacco for personal use (no duty-free limits). From outside the EU, strict limits apply. Customs officers may ask for proof of personal use (e.g., receipts, quantity).

Alcohol age limits differ by strength

You must be 18 to buy or possess beverages up to 22% ABV (wine, beer, cider), but 20 for spirits (over 22% ABV). This applies to duty-free imports as well.

Cash declaration is mandatory for all travellers

Any person entering or leaving Finland with €10,000 or more in cash or equivalent instruments must declare it. Failure to declare can result in seizure and a fine of up to €10,000.

No duty-free for land border arrivals from Russia

Due to sanctions and border restrictions, travellers arriving by land from Russia are subject to stricter controls and may have zero duty-free allowances for certain goods. Check current rules before travel.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, for up to 3 months' supply, but you need a prescription and a doctor's note. If the medication is classified as a narcotic (e.g., codeine over 30mg per dose), you must apply for an import permit from Fimea at least 2 weeks before travel.

If your luggage is checked through to Helsinki, you clear customs at your final EU entry point (Helsinki). The non-EU duty-free limits apply because your journey originated outside the EU. If you have a long layover and re-check bags, you may clear customs at the first EU airport.

Yes, if you are connecting within the EU, you can carry duty-free liquids in a sealed STEB bag. If connecting to a non-EU country, the bag may be subject to security screening again. For flights within the EU, there are no limits on duty-free alcohol for personal use.

You still must declare it. The declaration is about the amount, not the source. Customs may ask about the origin and purpose, but lack of a receipt is not a crime. Failure to declare, however, is a violation.

Yes. All drones over 250g must be registered with Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency) and the pilot must have an EU drone operator certificate. You also need liability insurance. Customs may ask for proof of registration.

Yes, if you are travelling within the EU (including from Norway, which is in the EEA but not EU), you can bring up to 10 kg of meat per person for personal use. From outside the EEA, meat is generally prohibited.

Yes, personal effects (laptop, phone, clothes, books) for your own use are duty-free as long as they are not new or for resale. If you are moving permanently, you can import household goods duty-free within 12 months of moving, but you must file a customs declaration.

Official source

Finnish Customs (Tulli)