Page 96 - DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES IN FINLAND

The use is not official either, if the event is not arranged by a diplomatic mission or a diplomat, and particularly, if the products presented are on sale (e.g. a wine fair or other sales promotion event).
Diplomats may import and acquire alcoholic beverages for their private consumption either by themselves or by their family members living in the same household.
9.9.2 Exemption from Excise Duty
The Tax Administration has issued an instruction on exemption practices. The instruc- tion is available on the web site of the Ministry. Acquisitions exempt from excise duty are explained also in chapter 3.10.
9.9.3 Gifts
Alcoholic beverages which missions and diplomats give as normal gifts are exempt from excise duty.
Questions concerning the serving of alcoholic beverages should be directed to the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira). More information and wholesale licence application forms are available at
http://www.valvira.fi
9.10 Pets
Members of a diplomatic or consular mission and their accompanying family members as well as their private servants are exempt from paying dog tax imposed by municipalities unless they are Finnish nationals. More information about the tax liability is available on the web site of each city.
Regulations concerning the import and export of pets to Finland are available on the web site of the Finnish Food Safety Authority at
http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/animals/
96