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    Is a gift parcel with alcohol or tobacco taxed in Finland?

    Goods that are taxed even inside the 45 euro limit.

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    Short answer

    Finnish Customs says alcohol and tobacco products in gifts from outside the EU always owe VAT and excise duty, even under 45 euros. VAT is also charged regardless of value on more than 500 g of coffee, more than 100 g of tea, more than 50 g of perfume and more than 0.25 litres of eau de toilette. Alcohol and tobacco can also owe customs duty.

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    Why

    1. Finnish Customs lists alcohol and tobacco as taxed regardless of value.
    2. Finnish Customs gives the gram limits for coffee, tea and perfume.
    3. Customs told Verkkouutiset that alcohol and tobacco gifts owe excise duty and VAT at any value.

    Details

    From other EU countries, excise duty may apply to certain amounts of alcohol and tobacco, but no declaration is usually needed.

    Tip

    Leave alcohol out of gift parcels from outside the EU. It makes the parcel taxable at any value.

    What may differ

    Snus is a special case: Finnish Customs says it cannot be received by post at all.

    Common misconception

    A small bottle of wine in a gift parcel is tax-free.

    What actually happens

    Alcohol in a gift from outside the EU is taxed whatever its value.

    People also ask

    • Do you pay tax on a gift parcel sent to Finland?
    • Do parcels from Åland need a customs declaration?
    • What counts as a gift for Finnish Customs?

    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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