Customs regulations in Sweden

There are different regulations about what you may import free of customs duties when you are moving to Sweden from an EU country or a country that is not in the EU.

If you are moving from an EU country to Sweden, you do not pay any fees. If you are moving to Sweden from a country outside the EU, you may be granted a customs exemption from paying a fee to import your belongings. If you are moving from Sweden to a country outside the EU, you must submit an export declaration (exportdeklaration) for exporting your removal goods from Sweden.

Customs regulations when you move to Sweden from an EU country

Denmark, Finland and Sweden are members of the EU, so you move to Sweden from Denmark and Finland, you may freely import your removal goods.

You do not need to pay duty on your personal belongings, as there are no customs duties between EU member countries, nor do you need to submit an import declaration (importdeklaration) for importing your removal goods to Sweden.

If you are bringing a car or other vehicle when you move to Sweden, you must register the vehicle with the Swedish Transport Agency, and you must also notify the agency if you move from Sweden.

Iceland and Norway are not members of the EU. However, if you move to Sweden from a country outside the EU, you may be granted relief from customs duty and tax on your personal property.

Personal property is general household items, such as furniture, clothes, kitchen equipment, white goods, bicycles and other vehicles. It is a requirement that you must have owned and used your belongings for a minimum of 6 months if you are to import them as removal goods to Sweden without paying custom duy and tax.

Åland is outside the EU’s fiscal territory, and is therefore exempt from EU tax regulations. When you move between Sweden and Åland, the same regulations apply as when you move between Sweden and a country outside the EU.

When you move to Sweden from a country outside the EU, and want customs exemption for your personal property (flyttsakstullfrihet) or freedom from customs and VAT, it is a requirement that you must be intending to live in Sweden for at least one year.

The regulations vary, depending on whether you are moving or returning to Sweden, or whether you are moving because of marriage or to study. You can read the regulations on the webside of the Swedish Customs (Tullverket).

When you buy goods online from another country, the customs regulations and taxes depend on what you order and the country from which you order. On the Swedish Customs website, you can find information about online shopping in and outside the EU.

Customs regulations also vary when you are abroad and purchase an item that you want to bring to Sweden. Depending on what items you buy and the country from which you travel to Sweden, in certain cases you must report your items to the Swedish Customs or pay charges. Swedish Customs may check that you have nothing illegal with you.

On the Swedish Customs website, you can read about the customs regulations on importing goods to Sweden that you either buy online or when you are travelling abroad.

Special regulations apply about what you may import free of customs duties when you move to Sweden or when you travel to Sweden from another country.

When you return from a trip abroad, you may bring alcohol and tobacco for private use without needing to pay charges. The amount of duty-free alcohol and tobacco you can take with you to Sweden depends on whether you are travelling from an EU country or a country outside the EU.

Special regulations also apply for importing animals, firearms, medicines and foodstuff to Sweden.

You can read more about how to apply for permission to import property covered by special import regulations at the Swedish Customs website.