Vehicles bearing Russian license plates must leave Finland by March 16 at the latest. This requirement was confirmed by the head of the country’s Customs Service control department, as reported through national media channels.
At the same time, customs officials note that they do not have an exact count of how many such cars are currently in Finland.
“This is largely speculative. If a rough estimate is needed, it could be in the thousands,” the compliance manager stated.
According to him, removing cars from Finland is complicated by a closed eastern border with Russia, which prevents owners from traveling directly to the Russian Federation.
“In practice, leaving means relocating to another EU country,” he added.
He emphasized that authorities are still developing further guidance. For now, the only known aspect is that an assessment will be made for vehicles that have not yet been removed.
“Much depends on the vehicle’s condition. Was it brought to Finland as a permanent tourist vehicle or for another reason? Besides that, the length of stay in the country and the vehicle’s usage also matter,” explained the official.
The police will handle cases involving these vehicles on a case-by-case basis. There won’t be a blanket pursuit of all cars with Russian plates. The outcome after the evaluation remains unclear.
He did not directly answer whether confiscation and transfer to Ukraine could be involved. The head of the customs control office noted that no property in Finland can be seized or used without a legal basis. He stressed that sanctions, penalties, and automobile tax rules must be addressed in parallel. While confiscation remains a possible option, it does not fall under customs jurisdiction alone.
Entry ban
Vehicles registered in Russia were prohibited from entering Finland starting September 16, 2023, with a six-month window until March 16, 2024 to remove them from the country.
However, the ban does not apply to EU citizens, their family members, or diplomats permanently residing in Russia. Entry is not prohibited where it is necessary for humanitarian reasons.
High-level officials indicated that seizure of vehicles is possible only in the context of criminal investigations. In other scenarios, the vehicle would not be taken from the owner.
On the eve of the ban, a certain number of vehicles with Russian plates entered the country. This was observed by the relevant federal customs authority.
Where else does such a ban apply?
A similar ban is in place in several neighboring and EU countries, including Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Norway, Bulgaria, and Germany. The measures were enacted after the European Commission confirmed that entry of cars registered in Russia is considered prohibited under sanctions.
In Latvia, amendments to road traffic laws were adopted in November. According to the changes, cars that are not re-registered with Latvian plates can be confiscated and transferred to Ukraine. As of February 15, the changes have been effective, though no seizures have been reported yet.