Tullivalvonnan

Tullivalvonnan, or tullivalvonta in Finnish, refers to the set of activities carried out by a country's customs authorities to monitor, regulate and enforce the flow of goods and people across borders. Its core purpose is to ensure compliance with customs and trade laws, collect duties and taxes, and prevent smuggling, fraud, and other illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade.

Activities typically include border controls and inspections of goods and travelers, post-clearance audits, risk assessment and profiling, valuation and classification of goods, origin and eligibility checks, and enforcement actions such as seizures, penalties, or criminal charges. Customs surveillance also covers prohibitions and restrictions on regulated items (such as weapons, endangered species, or dual-use goods) and compliance with sanctions.

Operationally, tullivalvonnan relies on data analytics, information sharing with other agencies and international partners, use of scanning and tracing technology, and trained enforcement personnel. It often employs a risk-based approach to focus resources on higher-risk shipments while providing fast-track processing for low-risk goods to facilitate trade.

Legal basis and cooperation: Custom surveillance is governed by national customs codes and international agreements, such as conventions under the World Customs Organization and regional arrangements (for example, EU frameworks). It involves cooperation with police, border guards, health, environmental and consumer protection authorities, and tax administrations.

Challenges and trends: Increasing cross-border e-commerce, evolving concealment methods, digital shipments, and data sharing pose ongoing challenges. Advances in risk analytics, technology, and cross-border cooperation aim to improve efficiency, security, and revenue collection while minimizing delays for legitimate trade.