Importation and exportation of food

You must submit notifications of commencing and terminating food import and export operations to Tampere Food Control Unit in writing.

The import and export requirements mainly depend on two factors: whether the import/export country is an EU Member State or a third country, and what you are importing or exporting.

While the movement of foodstuffs is mainly freely within the EU single market, there are some exceptions to this, especially for foods of animal origin. Intra-EU trade refers to imports or exports between EU Member States, Norway or Switzerland. Actual import and export trade takes place with third countries.

If you are planning to start, change or terminate intra-EU importation of foods of animal origin, submit a notification of this to the Food Control Unit of Tampere. You will need an export certificate to export animals, products of animal origin and plant products to third countries. The Official Veterinarians of Tampere issue export certificates for foodstuffs and other products of animal and plant origin.

Submit a notification of commencement of or changes to intra-EU importation of foods of animal origin. Intra-EU importation refers to importing from other EU Member States. You should submit notifications of commencing and terminating intra-EU importation of foods of animal origin, or changes to these operations, to the Food Control Unit of Tampere using ilppa e-service or a printed form.

When commencing import operations, you must also submit a notification of commencing food premises operations or a material change to them.

Continue to the Ilppa.fi service (in Finnish)

Ilppa.fi

Report on intra-EU importation of foods of animal origin

You must submit a report on imported foods of animal origin originating in the EU to the Finnish Food Authority. A summary report concerning consignments of foods of animal origin must be submitted at least four times a year using the form available on the Finnish Food Authority’s website. If you submit this report to the Finnish Food Authority in some other way, also send it to the municipal supervisory authority.

The report form for intra EU-trade operators of foodstuffs of animal origin – Finnish Food Authority

Importation of foods from third countries

You can import foods from third countries if they meet the EU and Finnish requirements and no import ban has been imposed on them. Imports of foods of non-animal origin from third countries are controlled by the Customs. Imports of foods of animal origin, including meat, fish or milk, from third countries are controlled by the Finnish Food Authority. For more information, see the web services of the Customs and the Finnish Food Authority.

Exportation of foods

If you export foods manufactured in Finland to another EU Member State, no export certificates or other permits are usually required. You should ensure that the labelling, for example, is compliant with the requirements of the destination country. If you are exporting to third countries, the products must meet the requirements of the country in question. The operator is responsible for finding out about the export requirements. Plenty of country-specific information on export requirements is available on the Finnish Food Authority's website.

Exports to countries outside the EU – Finnish Food Authority

Food export certificates

You will need an export certificate to export animals, products of animal origin and plant products to third countries. The Official Veterinarians of Tampere issue export certificates for foodstuffs and other products of animal and plant origin. If you need an export certificate, contact the Official Veterinarians by e-mail. You can find their contact details on the veterinary services page. For more information on exporting foodstuffs and other products of animal and plant origin, see the website of the Finnish Food Authority.

More information is available at

Updated 10.9.2026