As of January 1, 2024, nicotine pouches in Finland have been classified under the tobacco tax (excise duty). This change significantly affects the importation of nicotine pouches from abroad. When purchasing nicotine pouches online from a foreign retailer, customers automatically become importers of excise-taxed tobacco products, making them responsible for tax declarations and payments to Finnish tax authorities.

Tobacco Tax and Import Responsibilities

If you order nicotine pouches from outside Finland without submitting a pre-declaration and paying the necessary tobacco tax to the Finnish Tax Administration (Verohallinto), you risk intervention by Finnish Customs (Tulli) and tax authorities. Some international online stores mislead customers by presenting themselves as Finnish companies while actually being registered abroad. These businesses ship products from foreign locations, making the process of online ordering risky for consumers.

Can You Order Nicotine Pouches from Abroad?

Yes, nicotine pouches can still be legally ordered from abroad, but they are subject to excise duty (tobacco tax). This taxation rule came into effect on January 1, 2024, requiring individuals importing nicotine pouches to submit a pre-declaration and pay the excise tax before receiving their shipment.

What Happens When Ordering from the EU?

Excise duty must be paid before receiving the package.

A pre-declaration must be filed, detailing:

• The total weight (grams) of nicotine pouches being imported.
• The exact arrival date of the shipment.
• The exact consumer price of the products.

The Finnish Tax Administration will then issue an import code, which Finnish Customs will verify. If a package lacks a valid import code, the authorities may investigate further, leading to fines and back taxes for any unpaid shipments.

How is Tobacco Tax (Excise Duty) Calculated?

For example, if you order a can of DOPE Freeze nicotine pouches for €5 from an international store, the Finnish Tax Administration will estimate its retail price in Finland to be €6.99. The excise duty is then calculated as follows:

• Unit tax: 15.4g × €0.10 = €1.54 per can
• 10% of retail price: €6.99 × 0.10 = €0.699 per can

This means the total excise tax per can is €2.239, bringing the final cost to €7.239 per can, along with significant administrative paperwork required for tax declarations.

Is Ordering from Abroad Worth It?

When ordering nicotine pouches from international websites, customers must:

• Submit extensive tax declarations to the Finnish Tax Administration.
• Pay an additional €2.20 in tobacco tax per can.
• Wait longer for shipping due to customs procedures.

For example, if you order a €4 nicotine pouch can from abroad, the final cost with taxes and paperwork requirements will be around €6.20. Instead, purchasing from a Finnish retailer at the same price eliminates the need for tax declarations, supports local businesses, and ensures faster delivery.

How to Identify Reliable Sellers?

To avoid complications when purchasing nicotine pouches online, here are key factors to check:

1. Business Registration

Verify whether the retailer is registered in Finland by checking the official Finnish Business Register (kaupparekisteri). A genuine Finnish company will have a business ID (Y-tunnus) and be fully compliant with Finnish regulations.

2. Website Information

Legitimate Finnish retailers display clear business details, including a physical address. If a website lacks this information, it may be a foreign seller disguising itself as a Finnish business.

3. Pricing Transparency

In Finland, nicotine pouches cannot be sold with bulk discounts or price reductions on nicotine-containing products. If a website offers tiered pricing (e.g., €4.75 per can for 1-9 cans, €4.50 per can for 30+ cans), it is likely based abroad.

4. Realistic Pricing

Due to Finnish tobacco taxes and VAT, no Finnish retailer can legally sell nicotine pouches at extremely low prices (e.g., €3 per can). Such pricing is only possible in countries where nicotine pouches are not taxed or where VAT is very low. In these cases, the burden of paying tobacco taxes is shifted to the customer.

Warning: Be Cautious When Ordering from Foreign Websites

If a retailer:

• Does not appear in the Finnish Business Register,
• Offers suspiciously low prices,
• Provides bulk discounts on nicotine products,
• Does not clearly list tax requirements,

…it is likely an international seller, meaning that customers are responsible for declaring and paying Finnish excise taxes. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences.

The Best Option: Buy from Trusted Finnish Retailers

To avoid unnecessary complications and legal risks, we recommend purchasing nicotine pouches from trusted Finnish retailers like Tukkupussit.fi. Our company ensures:

• All required taxes and import declarations are handled.
• You receive your products quickly and hassle-free.
• You support local Finnish businesses and employment.

By purchasing from a domestic retailer, you avoid fines, customs delays, and additional paperwork, making your shopping experience safer and more convenient.

Final Thoughts

While nicotine pouches can still be ordered from abroad, the taxation process makes it expensive and complicated. The requirement to pre-declare and pay tobacco tax before importing makes buying from foreign sites less appealing. To ensure a smooth, legal, and tax-compliant purchase, ordering from a Finnish business like Tukkupussit.fi is the best choice.

Thank you for choosing Tukkupussit.fi – your trusted nicotine pouch retailer in Finland!