Finnish operators who import foodstuffs of animal origin to Finland from the European Single Market and who have movable food premises and/or whose operations are of a periodic nature (also known as mobile and/or periodic sellers) are subject to the same requirements as permanent Finnish food business operators. The requirements for foreign operators who have movable food premises differ from those applicable to Finnish operators in a few details. The differences in requirements concern notifications to food control authorities and fixed food premises.
The instructions on this page apply also to operators selling foodstuffs of non-animal origin.
The duty to declare operations applies to all operators
All commercial imports of animal-originated foodstuffs from European Single Market countries (EU member states and countries with special agreements) are subject to food authority control. All Finnish and foreign food business operators operating permanenly in Finland must register with the local food control authorities. See exceptions concerning foreing mobile sellers below. A notification of starting operations (registration) must be submitted at least 4 weeks before the start of the operations (Section 13 of the Food Act). A notification must also be submitted in case of a substantial change or termination of operations. It is advisable to keep a copy of the notification form at any movable sales point, to be presented to the food control authorities as necessary.
Finnish mobile sellers
A notification of movable food premises must be made to the food control authority in the municipality where the movable food premises are to be taken into use or, if a substantial change is made in the operations, to the same authority that has been previously notified. The notification must be submitted four (4) weeks before starting operations or making substantial changes. Contact information for municipal food control authorities can be found on our website.
Finnish mobile sellers must submit a notification of their arrival to the local food control authority in whose territory the products will be sold. The control authority must receive the information at least four (4) business days before sales can begin.
The handling and sales of animal-originated foodstuffs subject to control in movable food premises shall comply with all of the requirements in Finnish Food Authority outdoor sales guidelines (guideline 16022).
All Finnish operators receiving animal-originated foodstuffs in the European Single Market must submit a monthly summary to Finnish Food Authority, declaring all animal-originated foodstuffs imported to Finland from the Single Market during the previous month. Declaration can be made using a declaration form or an electronic service.
Foreign mobile sellers
A notification of movable food premises must always be submitted in Finland (if operations in Finland are of a permanent nature) or in another EU member state. Foreign mobile operators need not submit monthly declarations to Finnish Food Authority.
Foreign movable operators whose operations are periodic or temporary (no more than 6 months per year) need not submit a notification of food premises in Finland, provided that the operator has submitted a notification of food premises to the control authority of another EU member state. If a notification of food premises has not been submitted before entering Finland, it must be submitted to the municipality in whose territory the operations are started (Section 14(1) of the Food Act). A notification of food premises must also be submitted if operations in Finland are permanent or continuous (more than 6 months per year). A copy of the notification of food premises submitted in the operator’s home country and the most recent control report should be kept at the sales point, to be presented to the food control authorities as necessary. Contact information for municipal food authorities.
Foreign mobile food business operators are recommended to inform the local food control authority in advance before starting sales. It is recommended that in connection with providing this information, the operator should submit the notification of food premises made in its home country to the local food control authority.