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    Do gifts sent from other EU countries need a customs declaration in Finland?

    How gifts move inside the EU, with the exceptions.

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    Short answer

    Finnish Customs says a gift from another EU country does not need to be declared and usually owes no VAT or customs duty. Excise duty may still apply to certain amounts of alcohol and tobacco. The exception is gifts from parts of the EU outside the EU fiscal territory, such as the Åland Islands or the Canary Islands. Those must be declared, and VAT is due if the gift is worth over 45 euros.

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    Why

    1. Finnish Customs says gifts from inside the EU need no declaration.
    2. Finnish Customs names Åland and the Canary Islands as outside the EU fiscal territory.
    3. Verkkouutiset quotes Customs: gifts move freely inside the EU.

    Details

    Since Brexit, gifts from the United Kingdom are treated as gifts from outside the EU.

    Tip

    Check where the parcel is actually posted. A shop or person in Åland or the Canary Islands means a declaration.

    What may differ

    Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are outside the EU, so their gifts must be declared.

    Common misconception

    Every parcel from abroad must go through customs.

    What actually happens

    Gifts from most EU countries need no declaration at all.

    People also ask

    • Do parcels from Åland need a customs declaration?
    • Do you pay tax on a gift parcel sent to Finland?
    • Is a gift parcel with alcohol taxed?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Customs rules for online purchases are changing in stages, so check Finnish Customs before you order.

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