Finland Shopping

Finland is not a destination for shopaholics, and if you're looking to spend your holidays searching the stores then you'll miss the best part of the country - it doesn't lie on its shopping streets. Having said that Helsinki is a pleasant enough place to browse, while the markets of Tampere are justly renowned, as is Finland's oldest market - Turku's famous Kauppa Halli on which all Finnish markets are modelled. All in all, it shouldn't be too difficult to pick up a few distinctive items that make superb gifts and souvenirs of a trip here.

It's possible to find a wide range of gifts and souvenirs that are unique to Finland. Glassware is a Finnish speciality and all department stores carry a wide range of glass items by such companies as Iittala, Nuutajarui and Arabia. Helsinki's Stockmann department store is one such outlet for glassware although gift shops all over the country will stock pieces from all the big names. Fashion tends to veer towards plain designs, but they are always elegantly made.

Notably traditional Sámi handicrafts always capture the eye of tourists. These include jewellery made from reindeer bone, colourful waistcoats and wall hangings covered in arctic foxes or the blazing midnight sun. Also look out for the carved birchwood cups called 'kuksas' - ideal for a toast or two when you get home.

Genuine Sámi handicrafts bear a 'duodji' label and although the largest selection is to be found in the Lapland village of Inari, it's possible to buy items at outlets throughout Helsinki and other major cities. In Inari, the Sámi Duodjar Centre sells crafts made from all-natural materials by some 70 local artisans and is well worth visiting. You should also check out Samekki, the studio of Petteri Laiti, the most famous Sámi artisan of all. His studio shop offers a range of products made from reindeer antlers and hide, gnarled wood, silver and gold. CDs featuring traditional Finnish music, such as Sámi 'yoiks', a traditional form of throat singing, are also available at outlets in Lapland and Helsinki, although the distinctive sound might not be the music you want in your car on your return home.

Finland is well-known, too, for its hand-knitted woollens such as sweaters, gloves, hats and scarves and these are available for purchase throughout the country. Finnish fur and leather is as high quality as you'll find anywhere. Also, Finnish traditional/rustic fashions have begun to make a comeback among local fashion designers such as Marimekko. This style, which also can be loosely translated as "wilderness" is incorporated into many Helsinki designers' latest collections.

Reindeer, the unofficial mascots of Finland, are everywhere you turn, it seems. Of course, the creatures themselves are restricted to farms and forests in the rural areas, but in Helsinki, reindeer faces can be found on coffee mugs, bottle openers, earrings and plush toys. Though foreigners might suffer some qualms, locals have no problem with the idea of buying reindeer pelts or antlers. If that's a bit much for you, opt for a bite or two of smoked reindeer, a popular local snack.

If you can't head into the country proper the bustling market in Helsinki's Market Square is a fantastic place to browse for souvenirs as well as high-quality fruit and vegetables. Visitors who've acquired a taste for Finland's autumn berries should certainly consider taking home jars of cloudberry or lingonberry jam too. If you do have time to tour around a bit you'll find similar merchandise for sale at a lot more reasonable prices at farm shops and markets around the country.

Souvenir T-shirts from different parts of Finland are, of course, widely available. Those from Lapland may be decorated with traditional Sámi designs. Otherwise, one of the most popular, particularly with visitors who experience Finland during the summer months, is a t-shirt covered with cartoon mosquitoes. The caption reads 'The Finnish Air Force'!

Shops are generally open 10h00-20h00 Mon-Fri and 10h00-18h00 Sat. Most shops are closed on Sundays, though major department stores often open for some Sundays in summer time only, i.e, Jun, Jul and Aug.

VAT (known as ALV = Arvon Lisa Vero) is 22%. Citizens of countries outside the European Union can apply for a refund of local VAT. To qualify, the minimum single purchase is EUR40. You have to show your passport when the purchase is made and you will be given an appropriate tax refund form.

On departure from Finland, take your purchased items and invoice to the customs office to be stamped. Once home, send the stamped invoice to the store where you purchased the items who will then send the tax refund to you. Alternatively, you can purchase goods from shops participating in the Tax-free Shopping programme (look out for the Tax-free Shopping logo displayed in the window). Simply show your passport when you make a purchase and you will be given a Refund cheque showing the refund you are owed.

Before you leave the country, you must get customs officials to stamp your cheques. You can then claim your refund immediately from the Tax-free Shopping refund desk at the point of departure or have it sent on to you.