General requirements for imports from outside the EU
Strict phytosanitary requirements have been set for importing any living plants, fresh plant products and some wood products from outside the EU.
Usually, a phytosanitary certificate from the authorities of the sending country and an inspection on arrival to Finland are required. The goods must meet the EU import requirements for them to be eligible for the certificate.
Imports of certain plants and seeds for planting from outside the EU are completely prohibited because they involve a high risk of spreading pests. Imports of substrates including organic material and soil from outside the EU (excluding Switzerland) are also prohibited. The import prohibition does not apply to pure peat or coconut fibre if they have not been used for plant production or agriculture before.
Importing quarantine pests is also not allowed. A list of quarantine pests is available here (Annex II). More information on the import prohibition of plants and plant products from outside the EU is available in Finnish here.
An exception may be granted for scientific and trial purposes
The Finnish Food Authority may grant an exception under the EU plant health regulation (EU) 2016/2031 for the import or movement within the territory of the EU of plants, parts of plants, plant or wood products and quarantine pests if certain conditions are met. An exception may be granted for official trials or scientific research, education, varietal selection or breeding purposes.
When an import exception has been granted for goods, they can be imported even if they do not meet the usual import requirements. Granting an exception requires special security and safety measures, and that certain conditions are met to ensure that the goods or products do not cause a risk of plant diseases or pests spreading to Finland.
An exception is required if the import of the goods or products is prohibited or if they do not meet the special import requirements. Special import requirements may include, for example, heat treatment, which may not be possible for research-related reasons. In practice, an exception is only granted if an international phytosanitary certificate cannot be acquired for the goods or products in question.
Import with phytosanitary certificate the primary option
Always first find out if it is be possible to receive a phytosanitary certificate for the goods. Import with a phytosanitary certificate is always the primary option. Only apply for an exception if a phytosanitary certificate cannot be granted.
Accepted quarantine facilities a requirement for exceptions
Applications for exceptions are addressed to the Finnish Food Authority’s Plant Health Unit, and the application must at least include the information requested on the application form.
Receiving an exception requires that the applicant has access to quarantine facilities to where the relevant goods can be transported. Applicants must submit a separate application form for the quarantine facilities. In the application, the applicant must describe the technical specifications of the facilities, persons responsible, etc., i.e. at least the information requested on the application form.
A plant inspector of the Finnish Food Authority or the ELY Centre will inspect the quarantine facilities before the exception is granted. The suitability of the facilities for the quarantine activities described in the application will be verified during the inspection.
Acceptable quarantine facilities are usually laboratory or research facilities administered by a professional operator or person that are suitable for the intended use. When completing a quarantine facility application, applicants must read the Finnish Food Authority’s instructions (1172/04.00.00.01/2020; instructions in Finnish) that summarise all requirements for quarantine facilities and the activities in them, and the requirements for releasing the quarantined products from the facilities.
Applicant must acquire confirmation from the authority of the country of origin
A letter of authority will be appended to decisions on exceptions and approvals of quarantine facilities (Regulation (EU) 2019/829, Article 6). The exception applicant must acquire a confirmation of the letter of authority (stamp and signature) from the plant health authority of the country of origin before the goods are imported, and the letter of authority must always accompany the goods. It must also be presented to the border authorities.
After the activities end, the remaining material subject to quarantine must be safely destroyed by ensuring that pests cannot spread, or it must be stored under appropriate conditions for further use in accordance with Article 64 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031.
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