Moving to Finland, Shipping Household Goods to Finland

This information is prepared by IntlMOVE for IntlMOVE’s customers moving to Finland and Shipping Household Goods or Personal Effects from USA to Finland.

If you are moving to Finland and plan to ship your household goods and personal effects, there are customs regulations in Finland you need to consider.
Below are Finland’s rules and regulations regarding the importation of used household goods and personal belongings.

*NOTE:  DOCUMENTS AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS VARY ACCORDING TO THE NATIONALITY OF THE CUSTOMER.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR MOVING TO FINLAND AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS TO FINLAND

• Passport (Copy)
• Proof of Employment
• Customs Declaration
• Household goods and personal effects inventory (in English, Finnish, German or Swedish) stating exact number of packages, showing detailed contents of each carton, alcohol and any other dutiable items
• Owner’s Declaration stating household goods goods are his property, have been used abroad and are for his continued use in Finland
• Bill of Sale may be required by Customs for dutiable household goods and personal effects  items

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR MOVING TO FINLAND AND SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS TO FINLAND

• CUSTOMER MUST BE IN FINLAND AT THE TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS
• Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free, in suitable quantities, if:
  • Household Goods have been owned and used by Customer abroad and not to be re-sold for at least six months
  • Customer has lived abroad for over 12 months and intends to settle in Finland
• Household Goods must not be imported for commercial use

DUTIABLE AND RESTRICTED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS ITEMS

• New household goods and personal effects items (less than six months old) invoices required
• Food and fabrics
• Precious metal objects
• Professional or business equipment
• Firearms and ammunition (will be held by Customs until valid Firearm Certificate is obtained)
• Collectors items which are plugged and unusable may be imported with restriction
• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are subject to high duties
• Plants and vegetable products (Phytosanitary Certificate required, if no certificate is present, items will stay in custody for inspection and charges will be billed to Customer)
• Certain feathers, furs, tusks, skins, etc. of animals falling under the Protected Species Regulations
• Walkie-talkies and radios
• ALL DUTIABLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS ITEMS MUST BE STOWED FOR EASY ACCESS

PROHIBITED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS ITEMS

• Explosives, fireworks, clasp-knives and other dangerous edged weapons
• Automatic weapons
• Narcotics and drugs
• Pornographic material
• Products of animals coming under the protected species regulations

MOTOR VEHICLES

• One auto may be imported duty-free if owned and used abroad for six months and Customer qualifies for duty-free import of household goods
• Duty free value is limited up to $34,000.00.  If the customs value of the car exceeds this amount the exceeding value is dutiable.  Customs determines the customs value
• Cannot be sold or otherwise used by others for two years without full payment of all duties and taxes
• If vehicle does not qualify for exemption, import taxes will be 50-60% of the retail price of a similar new vehicle in Finland
• Duties levied will also depend on the amount and type of accessories and equipment on the vehicle
• Must comply with the U.S. or European exhaust regulations
• Documents required:
  • Purchase-deed and receipts of payment
  • Registration documents
  • Employment Certificate proving auto bought with earnings from abroad
  • Passport
  • Finnish insurance policy
  • Foreign insurance policy
  • Driver’s License
  • ABOVE DOCUMENTS MUST ALL BE ORIGINALS

PETS

• Dogs and cats must have a valid vaccination against rabies
• Subject to minimum of three months quarantine and veterinary examination
• Health Certificate required
• Import Permit from Ministry of Agriculture
• Duty-free if proof of ownership is available

NOTE – Customs regulations in Finland are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods and personal effects shipments to Finland  and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, IntlMove cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.