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    Can you bring food into Finland from outside the EU?

    Banned animal products, the exceptions and what you can still bring.

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    Short answer

    From outside the EU you are not allowed to bring meat, meat products, milk or milk products into Finland, and this includes sandwiches with ham or cheese. Travellers can bring up to 2 kilograms of infant formula for their own use. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Andorra, Liechtenstein and San Marino are exceptions for these products.

    Visas and Entry Regulations (Schengen)

    Why

    1. Finnish Customs lists meat, meat products, milk and milk products as foods that cannot be brought from outside the EU.
    2. In its advice to returning travellers, Customs says the ban includes sandwiches.
    3. Customs says imports of animal products from outside the EU are restricted because they can spread animal diseases.

    Details

    Pet food containing meat, chicken or fish cannot be brought from outside the EU either. Biscuits and cakes without meat fillings are allowed.

    Tip

    Finish the sandwiches from the plane before you land, or leave them in the bins before passport control.

    What may differ

    Inside the EU some pork and wild boar products are restricted because of African swine fever. Check the Finnish Food Authority before you bring them.

    Common misconception

    Packaged and sealed meat from a supermarket is fine to bring from any country.

    What actually happens

    The packaging does not matter. Meat and dairy from most non-EU countries are banned even if sealed.

    People also ask

    • Can I bring cheese to Finland from the UK?
    • What food is not allowed into Finland?
    • Can I bring chocolate to Finland?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Customs rules can change, so check Finnish Customs (Tulli) before you travel.

    Visas and Entry Regulations (Schengen)
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