Discounts in Finland. Sales in Finland Autumn sales of electronics in Finland

When we go abroad, we willy-nilly become literally hostage to stores with tempting brands and their prices. It all starts at the airport, when we buy perfume, cosmetics, and alcohol at duty-free.

And when we get off the plane in some country in the world, we sometimes don’t even realize what an abundance of consumer goods awaits us on the shelves of vtcnys [stores... Many, going on vacation to one of the countries that set this or that fashion, bring Russia additional suitcases.

Where can you go for some useful shopping? And how not to go into all serious troubles, forgetting about the financial crisis of the world economic system?

For a successful shopping experience

1. Arm yourself with maps and guides right away. They are available to travelers at airports, hotels and offices travel companies. Such brochures describe in detail how to find popular retail outlets in a particular city, as well as their opening hours. Be careful with this, since in most countries the opening hours of offices and stores differ from Russian ones. So, in Italy all shops are closed from 12 to 16 for siesta, and in Crete shops are open only until 14 hours.
2. Most bargain purchases- These are goods from local producers. You shouldn’t immediately rush to world-famous brands whose names have already set teeth on edge. Better take a closer look at local brands that are not inferior in either quality or appearance. At the same time, in Russia you can boast about an outlandish purchase - such a thing will definitely be exclusive.
3. The main thing is not to forget about Tax Free. This will be a pleasant addition to the already favorable prices. But pay close attention to how the checks are filled out. Moreover, each country has its own rules for filling out and registering Tax Free.
4. Be careful about how you transport your purchases so that problems do not arise already Russian border. Take care in advance about what can be imported and what cannot be imported, and what requires a declaration.
5. And, of course, all expenses must be thought out and decisions weighed. Then the pleasure of shopping will not be overshadowed by an empty wallet at the end of your vacation.

Shopping tours with and without obligations

Shopping tours with obligations are primarily of interest to “shuttle” businessmen - those who resell goods purchased abroad. In order to go on such a trip, you need to enter into an agreement with the agency under which you undertake to spend a certain amount of money - usually up to 5 thousand euros.

The remaining costs will either cost mere pennies, or will be paid by the seller (this system usually operates in Greece).

As part of this tour, you will be taken to all the current warehouses, factories and stock centers, where you can buy good things at low prices.

Shopping tours without obligations are, in fact, an ordinary tourist trip. However, her goal is to acquire some thing for herself. Naturally, this option will not work for serious trading.

The cost of such a no-obligation tour consists of the cost of airfare, hotel accommodation and meals, as well as the amount you spend on the purchase.

Depending on the country of destination, the price of the tour will vary: on average from 300 to 700 euros.

On this tour, you will be provided with a guide who will show you the best shopping spots.

However, you should not completely trust the guides (there have been sad cases) - it is better to play it safe and explore the main retail outlets on your own.

World shopping capitals

• Italy

Naturally, the fashion capital of the world is Milan. However, you can make profitable purchases in other cities of Italy. Especially if you come here during the discount season: from early January to the first ten days of February and from early July to early September. And an endless number of outlets (stores where they sell items from previous collections at discounts) will make shopping enjoyable in any season.

• France

Paris is the cradle of fashion traditions and the most brilliant fashion designers. However, things (especially branded clothing) are very expensive here. The calling card of Paris is cosmetics and perfumes. The prices for these goods here are very tempting in any season.

• Spain

Barcelona is the country's shopping center. Tourists are most attracted to Spain by shoes - high-quality, stylish and at a good price. Also, when you arrive in Spain, do not be lazy to visit Mallorca to buy artificial pearls produced here, and Andorra - a duty-free zone.

• Sri Lanka

This is the center of jewelry shopping. It is on this island that you can buy amazingly beautiful precious stones, for example, two-color sapphires. Here, jewelry can be specially made for you - in just two to three days. Shopping lovers should also visit Ceylon and Colombo, where, in addition to tea and spices, you can buy leather goods and textiles at competitive prices.

• UAE

Dubai is a global trade center. There is even a famous shopping festival here, which lasts about a month. You can buy everything here: from household appliances and computers to fur and jewelry. It is also profitable to buy branded items here - prices are significantly lower than in Europe.

• Greece

This country is an excellent alternative to the Emirates when it comes to purchasing fur products. Fur tours to Greece are perhaps the most popular destination among Russian travel agencies.

The world leader in hotel booking Booking.com has selected the most convenient hotels for shopping in Helsinki - find and book a hotel.

Helsinki is a shopper's paradise. And, although Finnish goods are far from cheap, they are of very high quality, which is why Russian buyers love them so much. The products offered include clothing and shoes, accessories, furnishings and design items, and Finnish-themed souvenirs. The city is replete with shops, boutiques and shops for every taste.

Opening hours

As a rule, all retail outlets in Helsinki operate according to the following schedule: on weekdays from 07:00 - 09:00 to 20:00 - 21:00; department stores usually open at 10-11; on Saturday shops are open from 09:00 to 15:00 - 18:00, on Sunday - closed; some shops all year round open from 12:00 to 21:00.

IN summer period- from June to August and winter in December, large city department stores and grocery stores in rural areas may also work on Sundays. On holidays all stores are closed; on Christmas Eve and Midsummer they are open until 13.00.

IN shopping gallery under Helsinki railway station, shops are open daily until 22:00, including on weekends and holidays.

At retail outlets selling alcoholic products, has its own opening hours (see below, in the section “Other stores in Helsinki”).

Small shops at gas stations can operate around the clock, as well as on weekends and holidays.

The inscriptions “Ale”, “Alennus”, “Sale” in stores mean that a sale has begun. In Helsinki there is a winter (Christmas) sale - from December 25, and a summer sale - after Midsummer, from about the 20th of June. Discounts can range from 30 to 70% of the original price.

In Helsinki you can buy very high-quality branded clothing from all kinds of brands, sometimes cheaper than in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Among Finnish manufacturers there are some that are completely unfamiliar to Russian buyers.

Fashion brands and stores in Helsinki

Here are the popular brands in Helsinki: H&M (clothing), Lindex (clothing), Seppäla (clothing, shoes, cosmetics), In Wear (clothing), Zara (women's, men's, children's clothing, shoes, bags, accessories), Mango, Jim&Jill ( fashion clothes), Jack&Jones, Only, DinSko (women's, men's and children's shoes).

DressMan is the most famous Scandinavian men's clothing brand.

Shopping centers and shops in Helsinki

Sales in Helsinki 2020

Sales in Helsinki can be found by looking for special red signs - “Alennus” or “Ale”.

Major sales in Helsinki in 2020 are expected in the winter from December 25 and in the summer after Midsummer Day from June 20 - they will last until mid-August. This is a great time not only to see the capital's attractions of Finland, but also to buy some new clothes in abundance.

In all department stores and shops in the city, prices are reduced by 50-70% of the original cost.

Tourists going shopping in Helsinki should remember that some stores hold their own off-season sales. Thus, the Stockmann department store chain has been holding “Crazy Days” for almost 20 years - sales in April and October with discounts of 50-70%, and Sokos department stores have been holding “3+1” promotions twice a year, in spring and autumn (you should look for detailed information on department store websites).

Grocery stores

Alko chain stores sell all types of alcohol. This is the only chain that sells wines and spirits. Shops are open from 09.00 to 18.00 (Monday - Thursday), from 09.00 to 20.00 (Friday), from 09.00 to 16.00 (Saturday). In large cities and shopping centers, as a rule, from 09.00 to 20.00 (Monday-Friday) and from 09.00 to 18.00 (Saturday).

Light alcoholic drinks can be bought in grocery stores and R-Kioski, open until 21.00 - 21.30.

The most famous grocery stores in Helsinki are the Prisma and CityMarket chain stores, where you can buy any product, they often have discounts and promotions. These stores are usually open longer and operate on weekends.

Smaller grocery stores include Alepa, Siwa, K-market, S-market and the popular pan-European grocery store Lidl with affordable prices.

Markets in Helsinki

Markets are thriving in Helsinki. The city has a lot of industrial, grocery and flea markets.

Hakaniemen kauppahalli - Hakaniemi indoor market and market open air Hakaniemi Tori. You can find a lot of souvenirs here self made with Finnish motifs, available on the outside great choice vegetables and fruits. You can get there by metro to Hakaniemi station or by tram: No. 3, 6, 6T, 7, 9.

Hietalahti is an indoor antiques and art market. The Hietalahti flea market is the locals' favorite place to sell second-hand items. The market operates all year round, but the busiest trade takes place in summer time from May to August. Tel.: +358 9 310 23580. Open from Monday to Friday (08.00 - 18.00) and Saturday (08.00 - 16.00). The Hietalahti food market is open from Monday to Tuesday 08:00–18:00, Wednesday and Thursday 08:00–20:00, Friday and Saturday 08:00–22:00.

Market Square (Kauppatori)- one of the tourist spots in Helsinki. Here you can buy fresh fish and seafood, souvenirs, and in December the Christmas Market opens there. In the summer, green peas in pods (herne) are sold on the square - Finns eat them like Russians - seeds. When the peas ripen, the entire area turns into a huge green mountain of pea peelings. Every autumn the area is filled with herring brought here from all over Finland. This event is called the Herring Festival and has been held in the city since 1594.

Old covered market- this is traditional tourist market Helsinki. There is a huge selection of national souvenirs, fruits, berries, and clothing. And at a table near the counters you can enjoy sandwiches, Belgian waffles, fish pies and many other delicacies.

Tax refund

Don’t forget about the opportunity to apply for tax-free. A duty refund of up to 24% on industrial goods and 14% on food products is carried out when leaving Finland. Duty-free rules do not apply to printed products and tobacco products. Refunds are made upon presentation of a receipt, which is valid for 3 months. All purchases must be in the original packaging.

Valid in Finland world system VAT refund - Global Refund, which includes 36 countries and more than 225,000 stores around the world. On the Global Blue website you can find out the rules of duty-free trade and apply for a special card, with which the process of issuing a tax-free check will be significantly simplified.

Stores cooperating with Global Refund issue blue and white receipts to the buyer (one copy for each group of purchases in the store to which the cash receipt is pinned). In Russia, Global Refund checks are accepted by such banks as Vneshtorgbank 24 and Alfa Bank. Check money can be collected at the border in the cities of Imatra, Inari, Niirala, Nuijamaa, Salla, Vaalimaa, Vainikkala, Vartius.

To receive money by check, you need to present sealed purchases to customs, cash receipts for them, the tax-free check itself and your passport. However, you need to remember that the purchase must be for at least 40 euros. By the way, this amount should be separate either for food or for industrial goods.

If you are leaving the EU via a country other than Finland, present your passport, invoice and receipt at the last EU customs office - your country of departure - where you should still be given a return stamp.

If you want the money from the check to be transferred to your account, then fill in the tax-free details in the check. The money should arrive in your account within 5 weeks (maximum 60 days). You can also receive money in the form of a euro check to the address you specified on the form. Euro checks can be cashed at any bank.

Video about shopping in Helsinki

On the official website of the TV show “Heads and Tails. Shopping” an issue dedicated to shopping in Helsinki is available for viewing.

Shopping centers and shops on the map of Helsinki

The map shows shopping centers and shops in Helsinki. For convenience, hotels near shopping centers are also shown. Zoom in on the map to view the objects of the area you need.

Finnish-made products are of high quality and in demand all over the world. Therefore, every year many people want to try the Christmas sales in Finland. Having arrived in this country, it is recommended to immediately purchase a catalog and go to the most advantageous places. Decline pricing policy operates not only in the capital, but also in other cities.

When do they start

The season begins on the 20th of December, with the onset of the winter holidays. The biggest sales occur after Christmas, from the 27th. The range of shares is 10-70%. They apply to certain types goods. This applies to household items, personal belongings, services, equipment, cars.

Usually sales in Finland last from the beginning of Christmas and the next 2 months.

Christmas discounts in Finland up to 70% are usually found at the end of the season. Therefore, it is recommended to come shopping at this time.

Where to go

Russians often prefer to drive. No need to go to Helsinki. You can visit sales in border cities, for example, Kotka, Imatra.

There are famous shopping centers in the capital of the country. Not only locals, but also tourists come to them. There are always a large number of buyers and visitors here. Those who like a more relaxed environment can go to Turku, Lahti, Tampere.

The biggest discounts

1. K-CITYMARKET. Department store with a large selection. You can choose branded clothing with a 10-50% discount.
2. GIGANTTI. Large electrical goods markets with 50% price reductions.
3. JIM & JILL. A well-known chain of boutiques for youth, stylish clothing. Sale up to 70%.
4. H&M. A popular brand among young people. It features affordable prices.

In a chain of supermarkets with sports and electrical goods, cosmetics, you can find household products with a sale of up to 70%. The network of boutiques with goods from leading designers is about 30%, but special promotions and offers are often held.

The large shopping centers are worth visiting. You can find a large selection of clothes, accessories, and shoes from all over Europe. Some of them feature Russian products. Cost reduction – from 10 to 80%.

Hypermarkets are located on the outskirts of cities. You can find any offers there, the cost of which is 20-60% lower.

What to buy

New Year sales in Finland extend to different types products. During this period you can buy absolutely everything. You can buy food at Christmas sales, household chemicals, electronics. People often pay attention to dishes, branded clothing and shoes, and products for children.

Additional ways to save

Discounts in Helsinki in December attract not only Finns, but also tourists from different countries. This is a good opportunity to buy what you need. There is always the opportunity to get tax free. This tariff applies to everything that a person bought as part of the promotion.

At the end of the season you can find good products with a decrease to 80%. In January there are not so many things on the shelves, but prices are low.

Winter sales in Finland are valid in almost all stores. During this period, every person has a good life. That's why many tourists come here for Christmas. There is an incredible atmosphere and pre-holiday bustle here.

How long does the season last?

Sales in Finland start from December 27 until early March. Winter promotions officially start after Christmas. But in some small boutiques, price tags begin to be reduced on December 22-23. During this period you can only purchase New Year decorations. Their cost is reduced by 10-15%. This is not a good time.

The height begins on the 27th day of the first month of winter. From the very morning there are long queues at the shops. You can only spend time on this if you need to buy a specific item.

At the beginning of February it is more profitable to go shopping. There is no longer any initial rush, but there is a large selection of things, and prices have been reduced by up to 80%. In many supermarkets you can buy everything for 5 euros, 2 euros, and even 50 cents.

Russians who came to Russia should understand what the Finnish inscriptions mean.

1. Ale, Alennus. This means that there is a reduction in cost for the entire range.
2. Ale jopa 70%. The goods are offered 70% cheaper.
3. Availability of special offers. For example, 2 products for the price of one.
4. Everything is sold at the same price.
5. Loppuunmyynti, poistohinta. Full sale.

In supermarkets with attractive sales, the main thing is to use common sense. It is recommended to follow these tips.

1. Be sure to try on shoes and clothes before purchasing. It is important to note that items purchased at a discount cannot be returned or replaced.
2. When buying electronics and furniture, take into account the presence of announcements about the release of warehouses. Such promotions may occur throughout the year.
3. During the shopping process, it can be difficult to choose the right things. Therefore, it is recommended to make a list of necessary goods in advance.
4. Don't forget about. It applies to everything that a person purchased through the promotion.

It is worth noting that there are . These are shops trading companies, large manufacturers of various products. Their prices are lower than regular ones. retail outlets. When you come to this country for the winter holidays, it’s worth visiting.

Winter promotions are a period for profitable and economical purchases. To maintain common sense and not give in to the hype, you should listen to the advice given in the article.

The largest sales in Finland are held twice a year: at Christmas and at the end of June, after Midsummer, or Johannus. The maximum sale period is 2 months. Discounts can reach 70%. note that on holidays most stores are closed.

Winter sales

Winter sales officially start right after Christmas, December 27th, as most stores are closed December 24th-26th.

However, Finnish stores set the start date for the Christmas sales season independently, depending on marketing policy. Famous brands They keep prices until the holiday itself, in full confidence that the desired gifts will be sold out.

Other stores begin slashing prices in mid-December, two weeks before Christmas, in hopes of attracting shoppers. This mainly concerns Christmas tree decorations, candles, New Year's decor and festive table setting.

Interestingly, discounts on clothing and sporting goods depend significantly on the vagaries of the weather. During warm, slushy winters, stores are forced to make attractive offers on warm clothing and ski equipment. If the winter is snowy and frosty, sales of sweaters, winter jackets, alpine skis and snowboards begin in February - March.

Summer sales

Summer sales in Finland begin after Johannus, which falls on a Saturday between 20 and 26 June. At this time, the sale of summer clothing collections begins, the price of jewelry, sporting goods, Finnish glass and souvenirs drops sharply.

Crazy days

Finnish department store Stockmann holds its own sales in April and October, they are called Hullut päivät - Crazy Days. You just need to remember that Stockmann is an expensive department store, and the price for the same items at a discount in Stockmann often turns out to be the same as in a neighboring store without a discount.

By the way, St. Petersburg Stockmann also announces Crazy Days.

Promotions and special offers

Collections of clothing, shoes and accessories in Finnish stores are updated almost every month, and small promotions are held from time to time all year round. Minimum size discounts are 10%, most often there are discounts of 20-30%, and during the peak sales season up to 70%.

IN recent years many Finnish stores are starting to be cunning - they almost continuously announce " seasonal sale", "vacation of warehouse space", "sale due to upcoming renovations". But despite the abundance of posters and crossed out numbers, prices in such stores remain at the same level. This is mainly the case with furniture and electronics stores.

Announcements about discounts and sales

• Alennusmyynti - alennus - ale- sale at a discount (usually found during discount season).
• Tarjous- special offer (two things for the price of one, three for the price of two, etc.).
• Loppuunmyynti - tyhjennysmyynti- sale (total sale of all goods, for example before closing a store).
• Ota kolme, maksa kaksi- take three, pay for two,
  Osta kaksi, saat kolme– buy 2, get 3.
  Tajous voimassa 1.10-31.12.2011– the offer is valid from October 1 to December 31, 2011.

In addition, information about discounts and promotions can be found on the website www.citydeal.fi - this is the Finnish analogue of Groupon.

About the rules for holding sales in Finland

• Seasonal discounts are valid for no more than 2 months.
• There is a rule for each store: to arrange seasonal discounts throughout the year (for a total of 3 months).
• Newly opened stores, as well as at markets and fairs, are prohibited from offering seasonal discounts.
• Used and handmade items are not eligible for discount.
• A violation is considered to be an announcement of a discount on a product that was not previously sold in this store at a more expensive price or was recently imported.
• The price of a product during the discount season can range from 30 to 70% of the initial cost.

How to save money

If you are purchasing multiple items of clothing or find minor flaws in an item you like, it is appropriate to ask for a discount. The discount can be from a few percent to 10-20%.

Don't forget that you can return the tax included in the price of the product by issuing an invoice or tax free.

Invoice

An invoice is a simplified procedure for returning Finnish VAT. When buying a product in a store, you pay the full amount, they give you an invoice (account in Russian), you need to put a customs mark at the border and, next time you come to Finland, give this invoice to the store, and you will be refunded the VAT amount. The store’s accounting department then provides data to the tax office and this sale does not deduct VAT to the state, because there is confirmation of the export of goods outside the EU.

What amount of purchases must be made in order to issue an invoice? As Gennady Svetlov, an expert on Finland at the VIP-Karta club, told our portal, the owners of the company themselves set the threshold; according to the law, there is no minimum. However, according to the expert, large Finnish stores, as a rule, do not use such a scheme, since it is difficult in terms of financial statements. On the contrary, small companies willingly issue invoices to attract clients.

Tax free

Citizens of non-EU countries are entitled to a tax refund - tax free. To do this, purchases must be made in stores that are marked with the Tax free sign, for an amount of at least 40 euros.
In the store, the buyer is issued a tax free check, according to which he can receive the tax amount when leaving Finland. The tax, depending on the product group, reaches 16 percent.
Important condition: purchases cannot be opened before leaving the country.

If for some reason you were unable to receive money when leaving the country, then the check must be stamped at customs. And then the checks can be exchanged for money in St. Petersburg - at the Global Refund office at the address: st. Chapygina, 6, office 345.

If a person presents a tax free receipt at the border, but cannot present the goods, this is regarded as a serious violation and may subsequently cause problems when obtaining a visa.

What do Russian tourists from Finland most often bring?

• Liquorice candy
• Finnish knife - puukko (puu - wood)
• Lapland cheese (Leipäjuusto)
• Fish, caviar
• Sports equipment (during sales season)
• Fairy
• Bread (rieskaleipä)
• Soft oil with added Omegi-3
• Thermal underwear
• Bed linen, pillows, blankets, rugs
• Cider (apple and pear)
• Karelian pies
• Cloudberry liqueur
• Sportswear: Reima, Karhu, Rukka
• Souvenirs - glass art objects Arabia or Iittalla

Where to go shopping

Lappeenranta

In Lappeenranta, the main shopping street where most shops are located is Kauppakatu (one of the main streets of the city).

Helsinki

The main shopping streets in Helsinki are Mannerheimintie, Aleksanterinkatu, Eteläesplanadi and Pohjoisesplanadi, Korkeavuorenkatu, Fredrikinkatu and Bulevardi.

The largest department stores such as Stockmann, Sokos and Forum can be found on Mannerheimintie. Many shoe and clothing stores, including Finnish and international chains, can be found on Aleksanterinkatu, as can many high-end jewelry stores.

The Esplanade is home to many Finnish design stores, including brands such as Arabia, Iittala, Finlayson, Pentik, Annikki Karvinen, Marimekko and Artek. Smaller design and interior design boutiques can be found primarily on Fredrikinkatu and Korkeavuorenkatu streets. Some of Helsinki's best antique and art shops are on Bulevardi.

Flea markets

Bazaars and markets in Finland are called kirptuoria (from the Finnish Kirppu - flea, tori - square, market). It's essentially a large open-air thrift store. You can find almost anything here. But, according to professional shoppers, it is best to buy children's clothing and shoes.

As a rule, goods in Finnish markets are sold at low prices: after all, these are used goods. Strictly speaking, the word "kirptuory" means not only markets and bazaars, but also professional consignment shops. Many of the owners of such shops are Russians. Their shops can be easily spotted by the wide range of goods offered. Here you can find everything from branded children's clothing to old magazines. This is the first type of private shops.

The second type of bricks and mortar stores are shops and points of sale. charitable organizations, including churches. Finns bring here their old, but usable, things for free, and here they are sold.

Tourists come to Finland not only to get to know the country better, but also to buy quality goods at low prices. This opportunity appears after Christmas, when many stores raise discounts to 80-90%. If you're in the country in winter, be sure to visit the sale because it's worth it. Also in winter you can admire the Christmas stained glass windows in shops and New Year's showcases, which cannot but amaze with its beauty.

Discounts on items vary depending on the month of the sale, so check this information in advance to choose the best time to shop:

• December 22-23 is the eve of the Christmas holidays, when shopping centers begin to open the “winter discount season.” In shopping centers you can buy inexpensive Christmas decorations, and discounts of 10-15% on other goods are also possible.
• From December 24 to 26, all shops in the country are closed due to Christmas celebrations.
• December 27 is the official start of the winter sale. There is a lot of traffic on this day, so please note that there may be long queues, as well as discounts of only 15 to 30%.
• From December 27 to mid-January, Finnish stores offer discounts of up to 40% on various products, and Christmas decorations can be purchased at a discount of up to 90%.
• The best time for shopping in the country is from the end of January to the beginning of February, when discounts rise to 70-80%.
• From the beginning of February to the beginning of March, the assortment in stores is much smaller, and prices are correspondingly the lowest. It is during this period that many Finnish stores make markdowns, and racks with the cheapest goods appear.

How many days will winter sales last in Finland?

Sales begin on December 27 and last until early March. Each Finnish store sets the final sale date individually depending on the assortment and internal regulations. On average, Finnish sales cover more than two months.

Where to go for discounts

Christmas sales take place in many Finnish cities, so let’s take a closer look at the most popular among Russian tourists:

1. Helsinki is one of the best options for shopping after Christmas, because the number of shoppers is significantly reduced and stores offer wide choice products of various brands. The capital of Finland also has a larger number of shopping centers and chain stores, most of which are located in the central part of the city. First of all, pay attention to Forum, Stokmann and Kampi shopping center. Helsinki is great option for shopping also because you can combine shopping with getting to know Finnish culture.
2. Tampere is a large Finnish city, which is located 500 km from St. Petersburg. It may be difficult to get around, but shops offer a wide range of goods at low prices. Shopping centers and shops worth visiting here include Ideapark, Stokmann and Sokos.
3. The city of Kouvola is located near Helsinki and is not very large, but there are large shopping centers with discounts of up to 80%. There are also significantly fewer buyers here, so there are more low-price offers at the end of the sale. Pay attention to shopping centers such as Manski, Hansa and Vetur.
4. The city of Imatra is located near the Russian-Finnish border, but is not popular among tourists, so during the sale the assortment is quite large. The only negative is that the city has only small shopping centers and many brands are not represented.

What is the most profitable thing to buy at New Year's sales in Finland?

The lowest prices during the Christmas sale are set at New Year's toys, as well as small themed gifts. You can also buy inexpensive clothes and shoes, but the size of the discounts depends on the weather conditions in the country. For example, if winter is warm in Finland, then discounts on warm clothes will reach their maximum in January. If the winter in the country is cold, then you can buy cheap, lightweight clothes.

If you are looking for inexpensive electronics, appliances, computers and other goods, then please note that the cost is quite high, since prices in Finland for these categories of goods are 20% higher than in Russia. Low prices only for old models that were previously in great demand.

Is it possible to apply for Tax Free on promotional items?

Yes, during the Christmas sales period in Finland you can apply for Tax Free on discounted items. It is worth considering that the minimum purchase amount in one receipt is 40 euros. We remind you that only non-EU residents can return tax. Moreover, depending on the specific store, returns can be made through an intermediary or using an Invoice (without an intermediary). If the store makes a return using both systems, the buyer has the right to choose, but only one of them. Read more about the Tax Free return procedure in Finland.

Duty-free import rules

To make the sales period useful, do not forget about the rules duty free import goods to Russia from Finland. On January 1, 2019, new rules came into force according to which goods with a total value of no more than 500 euros and/or a total weight of no more than 25 kg can be imported into the Russian Federation duty-free by land transport. If at least one of the specified parameters is exceeded, you must pay customs duties.