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SHOPPING
Finnish handicrafts, jewelry, handwoven ryijy rugs, furniture, glassware, porcelain, ceramics, furs and textiles are amongst the many Finnish specialties. Excellent supermarkets and self-service shops can be found all over the country. Helsinki railway station has the first underground shopping center in the country, where the shops are open 0800-2200 (Sun and public holidays 1200-2200). At the Katajanokka boat harbor, there is a shop selling glass, china, wooden articles and textiles. Duty free: Anyone permanently resident outside the EU can claim back purchase tax at the time of departure. Repayment can be made (on presentation of a special cheque provided by the retailer) at the following gateways: Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Mariehamn, Vaasa and Rovaniemi airports; onboard ferries and ships operated by Polferries, Silja Line, Vaasaferries and Viking Line; and at the main checkpoints on the land borders with Sweden, Norway and the Russian Federation.
Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Shops are generally open on Sunday from June to August. Many shops are also open 0900-2100 during the week and Sat 0900-1800.
Currency Information:
Single European currency (Euro)
The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Finland). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Finnish Markka was still in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (&Euro;) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of &Euro;500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of &Euro;2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Currency exchange
Foreign currency and travelers cheques can be exchanged in banks and at bureaux de change at ports, stations and airports.
Credit & debit cards
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa enjoy wide acceptance, as well as Eurocheque cards. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Up-to-date information is available in Helsinki from American Express (tel: (9) 6132 0400) or Diners Club (tel: (9) 693 991).
Travelers cheques
Travelers cheques are also accepted in banks and some shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Currency restrictions
Unrestricted import of local and foreign currency. Export of local and foreign currency is limited to the amount imported for non-residents, and to &Euro;1,682 or equivalent for residents.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date |
May '04 |
Aug '04 |
Nov '04 |
Feb '05 |
| £1.00= |
1.50 |
1.49 |
1.43 |
1.46 |
| $1.00= |
0.84 |
0.81 |
0.75 |
0.77 |
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0915-1615 (regional variations may occur). |
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