Finland customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Finland's duty-free allowance for non-resident adults arriving from outside the EU is 1 liter of spirits (over 22% ABV) or 2 liters of wine/beer (under 22% ABV), 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco, and personal goods up to EUR 430 (air/sea) or EUR 300 (land). Cash of EUR 10,000 or more must be declared. Prohibited items include narcotics, unlicensed firearms, and certain animal products; restricted items require permits.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 liter of spirits (over 22% ABV) OR 2 liters of wine/beer (under 22% ABV). Traveller must be 18+ (20+ for spirits over 22%).

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,500

Cash (including banknotes, coins, checks, and negotiable instruments) of EUR 10,000 or more (approx. USD 10,500) must be declared to Finnish Customs upon arrival. Declaration form available at border points.

Goods duty-free

$470

Duty-free allowance for personal goods (gifts, souvenirs, personal items) is EUR 430 (approx. USD 470) for air/sea travellers; EUR 300 (approx. USD 330) for land travellers. Above these values, duty and VAT apply.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, even for medical use without a permit from Fimea)
Unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and explosives
Counterfeit goods (fake brand products, pirated items)
Endangered species products (ivory, rhino horn, certain furs) without CITES permit
Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries (unless commercially packaged and under 2kg total)
Obscene or racist materials (including certain publications and media)

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Medicines containing narcotics or psychotropics (require a doctor's prescription and a personal import permit from Fimea)
Plants, seeds, and soil (require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin)
Pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) require an EU pet passport, rabies vaccination, and microchip
Firearms and ammunition (require a Finnish firearms permit or European Firearms Pass)
Cultural heritage items (antiques over 50 years old may require an export permit from the source country)

Rules worth knowing

EU vs. non-EU rules

Allowances above apply to arrivals from outside the EU. If arriving from another EU country, duty-free limits are much higher (e.g., 10L spirits, 90L wine) but must be for personal use only.

Alcohol and tobacco age limits

You must be 18 to buy or import alcohol under 22% ABV, and 20 for spirits over 22%. For tobacco, you must be 18.

Tax-free shopping for non-residents

Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund (24% standard rate) on purchases over EUR 40 made in Finland, provided the goods are exported within 3 months. Use Global Blue or similar at the airport.

Reindeer meat and other Nordic specialties

Reindeer meat is legal to import from other EU countries but may require a commercial health certificate if from outside the EU. Smoked or dried reindeer from Norway is generally allowed for personal use.

Frequently asked questions

No. Cannabis is illegal in Finland, even for medical purposes, unless you have a specific permit from Fimea (Finnish Medicines Agency). Without a permit, it is treated as a narcotic and can lead to seizure and prosecution.

You can bring up to EUR 9,999 (approx. USD 10,500) without declaring. Any amount of EUR 10,000 or more (or equivalent in any currency) must be declared to Finnish Customs on arrival.

Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries are generally prohibited unless they are commercially packaged, shelf-stable, and weigh less than 2kg total. Fish and seafood are allowed up to 20kg. Fruits and vegetables are allowed for personal use if free of pests.

From an EU country, you can bring up to 10 liters of spirits (over 22%), 20 liters of fortified wine, 90 liters of wine, and 110 liters of beer for personal use. No duty is charged, but you must be 18+ (20+ for spirits).

If the total value of gifts and personal goods exceeds EUR 430 (approx. USD 470) for air/sea travellers or EUR 300 for land travellers, you must declare them and pay duty and VAT on the excess. Gifts under these thresholds are duty-free.

Yes, but drones must be registered with Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency) if they weigh over 250g. You must follow EU drone regulations, including staying below 120m and avoiding no-fly zones. No special customs permit is needed for personal use.

Official source

Finnish Customs (Tulli)