Finnish customs redeploys staff to northern borders as eastern frontier remains closed

Finnish Customs will transfer 17 employees to Lapland to strengthen surveillance along the borders with Sweden and Norway, following the closure of the eastern border with Russia, Yle reports.

The redeployment comes as part of co-determination negotiations that concluded in early May, resulting in the temporary layoff of around 100 customs officers nationwide. In Lapland and Kainuu, 16 employees at eastern border crossings—including Raja-Jooseppi, Salla, Kuusamo, and Vartius—will be placed on leave, while 17 others will be reassigned to northern checkpoints.

Stefan Aniszewski, Director-General of Finnish Customs, confirmed that the shift in focus from the eastern border to northern land crossings and ports is a strategic response to increased traffic and smuggling risks in those areas. “Especially Tornio has become a key priority in our strategy, alongside western and southern ports, now that the eastern border is closed,” he stated.

The majority of the redeployed staff—13 officers—will be stationed in Tornio, with three assigned to Kilpisjärvi and one to Näätämö. Aniszewski declined to disclose total staffing levels at border points, citing operational security concerns.

The move also addresses long-standing understaffing issues in northern Finland, where recruitment has been challenging due to housing shortages and remote locations. “Traditionally, we’ve struggled to attract personnel to the north. This redeployment helps correct that imbalance,” Aniszewski said.

The closure of Finland’s eastern border in late 2023, prompted by concerns over instrumentalized migration from Russia, has led to heightened scrutiny of internal EU borders. Customs authorities are now prioritizing anti-smuggling efforts along the Swedish and Norwegian frontiers, where cross-border traffic has surged.

The transferred officers will begin their new posts in mid-June, with their assignments considered permanent.