Advance booking service at Finland-Russia borders continues

The advance booking service in Vaalimaa and for its extension to other road border crossing stations between Finland and Russia will be continued.

The government brought amendments to the Act on Transport Services in this regard and the President approved it recently, which entered into force on Thursday, said the Ministry of Transport and Communications in a press release.

The purpose of the advance booking service is to streamline goods transport operations on the border crossing stations between the neighbouring countries. Using the service the driver will book in advance a time for the border check.

A new section has been included in the Act on Transport Services on the control and management of goods transport at road border crossing stations between Finland and Russia.

As part of its task of ensuring the smooth flow of traffic, the provider of road traffic control and management services can offer these services for goods traffic arriving at border crossing stations as well as for the purpose of ensuring the smooth flow of the related customs measures and border checks.

A pilot project on advance booking service for goods transport, which started in 2014, was completed in Vaalimaa in April 2021.

Since the project achieved its goals on streamlining goods transport operations, the amendment will allow the service to become a permanent practice.