According to section 52 of the national Animal Diseases Act (76/2021), an individual or operator who exports a pet from Finland to a country outside the EU is responsible for examining and meeting the requirements for imports in the country of destination and for any potential country of transit.
You can find out what the conditions are by for example contacting the embassy or consulate of the country of destination and/or the country of transit.
You can also look for the conditions on the website of the competent authority of the country of destination. You will often find and e-mail address or a phone number for making more detailed inquiries.
Here is a summary of points which are useful to discuss when making enquiries about the conditions for export.
Basic information on the pet:
Animal species and number of animals
The concept of what is a pet can vary depending on the country of destination. For this reason it is worth mentioning the animal species rather than just informing that you will be travelling with a pet. The number of pets imported at any one time can also be limited and/or there can be limits on the import of certain animal species.
Breed
Especially when it comes to dogs, there may be limitations as to which breeds can be brought to the country of destination.
The age of the pet
The conditions may vary depending on the age of the pet. Vaccination requirements, for example, can vary depending on whether the pet is a puppy or an adult on arrival to the country of destination.
Travelling:
Time of travel
The conditions that have to be adhered to can be defined more accurately when the time of travel is known.
Reason for the trip and how it is carried out
Report the travel route including places of departure and arrival and note any stopovers or changes of mode of transport (plane, train, ship, car). The country of transit may require that certain conditions are fulfilled for pets arriving into their area from Finland. In general, changes of planes do not require any special conditions to be fulfilled for transit, but the export is carried out completely according to the conditions set out by the country of destination. There may be limitations at the place of arrival in the country of destination. The border checks of the pets may be carried out at certain airports only.
The conditions may vary depending on whether the pet is brought to the country of destination as a personal pet e.g. to a show, on a trip, when moving, as an assistance dog or for the purpose of change of ownership (commercial pet, pet for breeding purposes). If a pet travels to the country of destination for the purpose of change of ownership, the recipient is usually required to have a permit to receive the animal in the country in question (a so-called import permit). But you being the exporter may also be required to have an import permit regardless of whether the pet is your own or is going to a new owner. In some countries there is no separation between pets imported for non-commercial or commercial purposes. Note that assistance dogs have to fulfil the conditions regardless of their work duties!
Travel route and mode of transport
Report the travel route including places of departure and arrival and note any stopovers or changes of mode of transport (plane, train, ship, car). The country of transit may require that certain conditions are fulfilled for pets arriving into their area from Finland. In general, changes of planes do not require any special conditions to be fulfilled for transit, but the export is carried out completely according to the conditions set out by the country of destination. There may be limitations at the place of arrival in the country of destination. The border checks of the pets may be carried out at certain airports only.
You can send your questions to email helpdesk. We try to answer the questions on the same day, when possible.