Regional transport subsidy

The application period for the transport subsidy is a calendar year. The subsidy must be applied for within three months of the end of each application period.

Fill in the application in the e-service. Log in to the e-service using your personal bank identification, mobile certificate, or certificate card.

All applications for the transport subsidy are processed at the Economic Development Centre of Northern Finland. Before submitting the application, it is advisable to contact an expert at the Economic Development Centre, especially if the subsidy is being applied for the first time.

Transport subsidy can be paid for transport of products which have been processed by small and medium-sized enterprises that have paid the freight in the capacity of a consignor The size of the enterprise is based on the definition of a European Commission SME in 2003/361/EC.

• Subsidy can also be paid for domestic transport charges of products manufactured by small and medium-sized enterprises and for port operations connected to the shipment of the products (subsidy for port operations).
• Subsidy may be granted when the product has been manufactured in the following areas: The counties of Lapland, Northern Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, North Karelia, North Savo and South Savo, and the municipalities of Kannonkoski, Karstula, Kinnula, Kivijärvi, Kyyjärvi, Pihtipudas, Saarijärvi, Viitasaari, Imatra, Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi and Parikkala.
• Transport eligible for the subsidy must originate from the place of production of the products.
• Subsidy is not granted for the transport of used goods, raw materials or similar products or when the processing level of the products is low.
• It is also not granted for transports made with the company's own transport equipment.
• Neither can the subsidy be granted to a company that ceased its operations or to a bankruptcy estate.

Amount of transport subsidy

• The transport subsidy is EUR 9–20 percent of the product's transport fee.
• The percentage rate increases as the transport distance increases. The minimum transport distance in Finland is 266 kilometres. If the transport destination is a port eligible for subsidised port operations, the minimum transport distance is 101 kilometres. The transport distance is calculated based on the shortest possible route.

The amount of the subsidy for port operations

• Subsidies for port operations are based on the weight of the goods to be shipped. Subsidies for port operations cover ports situated on the Gulf of Bothnia in the municipality of Merikarvia or to the north of it and on the Saimaa waterway.
• The subsidy for port operations is EUR 1 or EUR 2 per tonne, depending on the location of the port.

Transport subsidy is applied for on the basis of actual and paid transport

• In periods of calendar year (1 January to 31 December) (application period) afterwards.
• Within three months of the end of the application period. The departure date of the transport determines which application period the transport belongs to.