All border crossing points along the land border between Finland and Russia, with the exception of Vainikkala, will remain closed until 11 February 2024. The Vainikkala border crossing point is open for freight traffic. The Government decided on the matter in its session on 11 January 2024.
The decision will completely stop imports of live animals and food and products of animal origin from Russia. Vaalimaa has been the only border control post for them on the eastern border. Similarly, it is not possible to export live animals, gametes and products of animal origin from Finland to Russia or through Russia to outside the EU when border crossing points are closed.
Due to the closure of the Vaalimaa border control post, transit consignments of animal origin cannot be exported via Vaalimaa as long as the border is closed.
Imports and transits of live plants and fresh plant products to Finland via the land border are also halted. Similarly, exports of plants and plant products requiring a phytosanitary certificate through closed border crossing points from Finland to Russia are halted.
More information:
Kitty Schulman, Head of Section, tel. +358 40 163 2531 (animals and products of animal origin)
Sirpa Kiviruusu, Head of Unit, tel. +358 400 920 503 (animals and products of animal origin)
Sari Haikola, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 40 687 6641 (plants and plant products)
E-mail: firstname.lastname@ruokavirasto.fi
Import and export on the Finnish Food Authority website
Government press release 11 January 2024: Finland's eastern border to remain closed
Government Decision (in Finnish)
Updated 11.1.2024