Mika Tuupola

Entering Finland driving a car with Estonian licence plates resulted different attitude at customs than car with Finnish plates ever did.

Last friday was the first time I visited Helsinki driving a car with Estonian licence plates. Until then the car has always had Finnish plates and going through customs was a breeze. This time, however, after passport control I was instantly surrounded by six or seven policemen who signed me to pull over and open the window. I said hello in Finish and asked how could I help. They started to ask me question in fast pace. They asked same questions again and again trying to make me make a mistake.

What is your business here? Do you have anything to declare? Where are you going? What address is that? Do you have anything illegal with you? What was the address where you are going? Do you have anything to declare?

I though about telling them not everyone from Estonia is a smuggler. Then I realized they probably would not have any sense of humor and strip and/or cavity search might not be fun at all. I decided to shut up.

After couple of minutes I told them: Look guys. I am originally from Helsinki but I now live in Tallinn. I will open the trunk and you can search the car to see I only have couple of cases of beer with me.

The answer was: Oh, can I see your passport again… Ah yes. You can go. Have a nice day.

EDIT 20060620: Additional note because there is lots of people coming from trip.ee. This really happened. But it only happened once. I have been back in Finland several times without any problems. Maybe they just had training. Maybe it was because I came first out of the ship. Maybe they were just bored.