How Customs Clearance Works
Why must goods be declared?
Åland is one of the areas not included in the EU VAT and excise duty area and is separated from the rest of the EU by a so-called tax border. This means that all goods sent between Åland and Finland or between Åland and other EU countries must be declared. The goods must undergo customs clearance, and VAT and excise duties must be paid on them.
Manage your customs matters through Customs' e-services
When you receive a shipment that requires customs clearance, you can complete it yourself free of charge using Finnish Customs' e-services for online import clearance. Please note that domestic shipments from e-retailers with a tax border number do not require customs clearance.
The Different Roles of Post and Customs
Åland Post and the Finnish Customs have different roles when it comes to the delivery and customs clearance of shipments. Åland Post is responsible for delivering and notifying you about your shipment in accordance with Customs' directives. Customs handles matters related to customs clearance, online imports, and customs regulations.
Åland Post's responsibilities
- Helps you track your shipment.
- Sends arrival notices and reminders.
- Transports and stores shipments requiring customs clearance in our temporary warehouse.
- Can answer questions about the contents of your shipment and, with your authorization, open the shipment.
- Delivers your shipment after it has been cleared by customs or released by Customs.
- Offers customs clearance services.
- Returns parcels when the storage period has expired.
Customs' responsibilities
- Monitors and inspects shipments arriving in or transiting through Finland and may stop them if necessary.
- Provides guidance on how to complete customs clearance for your shipment.
- Assists with questions related to online imports.
- Sell some customs clearance services.
- Releases shipments according to its established directives.
- Notifies Åland Post once customs clearance is completed.
- Refunds VAT for returned goods.
