Tax-Free Shopping in Finland 🇫🇮
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a dynamic Nordic city known for its cutting-edge design, picturesque waterfront, and a thriving cultural scene.
Shop tax-free in Finland with vatfree.com and experience the best of Scandinavian design and culture. With its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and innovative design, Finland is a must-visit destination for any shopper. From the bustling streets of Helsinki to the charming local markets, Finland offers a unique shopping experience. Discover local designers and artisans, indulge in luxury brands, or find unique souvenirs to take home. With tax-free shopping, you can make the most of your shopping budget and save up to 24% on your purchases. Shop sustainably and support local businesses while enjoying the best of Finnish design and craftsmanship. Let us help you navigate the tax-free shopping process so you can shop with confidence in this beautiful Nordic country.
Value Added Tax (VAT) in Finland
Local currency is € Euro
VAT is applied to all purchases
Standard VAT rate: 24%
Low VAT rate: 14% on food and some optical products.
Low VAT rate: 10% on medicines, pharmaceutical goods, books, magazines.
It is important to note that some items, such as food and drinks, are not eligible for tax refunds. Additionally, there are some restrictions on the types of goods that can be taken out of the country, such as cultural and historical items, so it is important to check with the customs authorities before making any purchases.
5 Tax-Free shopping rules
You must live at least 6 months out of each year in a non-EU country.
You must purchase goods (online or in stores) for private use to take back home to a non-EU country.
Upon purchasing goods, let the store know you will export the goods. The store will provide you with a tax-free form.
There is a minimum spend for a tax refund in Finland. In order to be eligible for a VAT (Value Added Tax) refund, you must have spent a minimum of €40 (including VAT) in a single store on the same day.
You must get a Customs export validation stamp before the end of the 3rd month, after the month of purchase. So if you buy a product in February, you can declare the product for export validation till the end of May of that year. The Customs export validation (either an ink stamp on your documentation or digitally approved) is mandatory to prove export of goods. Without this proof, no VAT refund can be issued.
Where to get Customs validation?
At the last EU departure point like the airport of Brussels or upon arrival in a non-EU country. Required documentation to show the Customs officer:
Passport (If you have an EU passport; other proof of residence outside the EU);
Boarding pass;
Purchased items;
Purchase invoices/receipts and/or tax free forms.
Good to know
At the airport, please allow enough time for Customs approval process before your flight departs. An extra 30 minutes before check-in time is usually enough.
Make sure the goods are in an unused condition.
Make sure to visit Customs before check-in as you will probably check in your main luggage. If you plan to carry the goods in your hand luggage, visit Customs after check-in if the airport map shows this option.
Make sure to take a photo of your stamped documents after visiting Customs. Upload these photos via the vatfree.com app or after logging in to your account. In case of loss, you will always have the digital copies in a safe place and the VAT refund process might still be able to take place.
If you are departing a Finland's airport but changing flights at another EU airport, and if the goods you are exporting are to be checked through to a destination outside the EU, go to Customs at the Finland's airport and your documentation will be export validated as if you were at the EU departure point. If your luggage is not checked through to a destination outside the EU, you need to have your documentation export validated at the EU airport where the changing flights occur.
In smaller airports, there may be no Customs Official present, in this case, look for the Customs deposit box and instructions.