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Finnish Customs Report: Key Statistics and Trends for 2023
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Counterfeit Goods
The trend of counterfeit goods has seen a decline in large-volume detentions, primarily due to the lack of eastbound transit traffic. However, detentions are now focused on postal and express freight traffic, which better reflects the situation of counterfeit goods in Finland.
- Trend: Decline in large-volume detentions
- Reason: Lack of eastbound transit traffic
- New focus: Postal and express freight traffic
The rise of online trade has led to an increase in small shipments of counterfeit goods. This shift highlights the need for Customs to adapt its strategies to effectively combat this growing issue.
Investigation of Economic Crime
Finnish Customs investigates suspected economic offences under its jurisdiction, mainly tax fraud or aggravated tax fraud. The societal impact of economic crime prevention by Customs was significant, with 103.2 million euros in benefits realized in 2023.
- Benefits: 103.2 million euros
- Mainly due to: Tax fraud and aggravated tax fraud
The recovered proceeds of economic crime totaled 8.2 million euros, demonstrating the effectiveness of Customs’ efforts in this area.
Sanctions and Regulation Offences
Finnish Customs registered 492 regulation offences in 2023, with some related to sanctions evasion. Effective export controls will ensure that common EU foreign and security policy measures are effective.
- Number of regulation offences: 492
- Some related to: Sanctions evasion
Prosecutor’s Duty and District Courts
The prosecutor decides whether there are grounds for deeming that the preconditions of a criminal offence have been met. District courts decide cases of financial crime as the court of first instance, with approximately 150-300 days handling time.
- Decision-making process: Prosecutor determines grounds for criminal charges
- Court proceedings: District courts handle financial crime cases