Tull
Import duty & customs in Sweden
Move from inside the EU and your things cross the border untouched. Order a parcel from outside it — or ship a household from the US — and Sweden's customs and VAT rules apply. Here's who pays what, the thresholds that matter, and the moving-specific exemption most people miss.
Inside the EU: free movement of goods
If your belongings come from another EU country, there's no customs duty and no import VAT — the single market means goods already in free circulation move without charge. You can drive a van of furniture from Germany to Sweden and declare nothing. The only watch-outs are a few special-rules categories: alcohol, tobacco and a new or nearly-new car can still trigger Swedish tax even from within the EU.
From outside the EU: the three charges
Goods arriving from outside the EU — including parcels from the US, UK (post-Brexit) and Asia — can attract up to three separate charges, collected by the carrier or Tullverket before release:
- 01
- Customs duty (tull)
- A percentage based on what the item is and where it's from, applied once the value passes the duty threshold (roughly 1,700 SEK / €150 for most goods). Many product categories are low or zero-rated; electronics and books often are, clothing and footwear less so.
- 02
- Import VAT (moms)
- Sweden's 25% VAT applies to almost everything imported from outside the EU, calculated on the item value plus shipping plus any duty. This is the charge that surprises people — there is no low-value exemption anymore, so even a small parcel is taxed.
- 03
- The carrier's handling fee
- DHL, PostNord, UPS and the rest charge a fixed fee (commonly 75–250 SEK) for clearing the item through customs on your behalf. It's not a tax, but it's unavoidable and lands on top.
The exemption that matters when you move: flyttsak
Here's the rule that saves real money. If you're moving your permanent residence to Sweden from outside the EU, your used personal belongings — furniture, clothes, household goods — can usually be imported duty-free and VAT-free as flyttsaker (removal goods). The conditions: you must have lived outside the EU for at least 12 consecutive months, have owned and used the items for at least 6 months, and bring them within a set window around your move. You declare them to Tullverket, typically with an inventory. A genuine household move is not a commercial import, and Swedish customs treats it accordingly — but only if you claim the exemption properly.
Quick reckoner
Rough landed cost of a parcel from outside the EU, on top of the item price:
- Small parcel under ~1,700 SEK
- No duty, but 25% import VAT + carrier fee
- Parcel over ~1,700 SEK
- Duty (varies by goods) + 25% VAT + carrier fee
- Used belongings, permanent move
- Usually 0% — claim flyttsak exemption
- Anything alcohol or tobacco
- Special excise on top, even from the EU
Common questions
Do I pay customs duty bringing my belongings to Sweden?
From inside the EU, no — goods move freely. From outside the EU, used personal belongings brought as part of a permanent move (flyttsaker) are usually exempt from both duty and VAT, provided you've lived outside the EU 12+ months and owned the items 6+ months. New goods and commercial parcels are charged normally.
How much is import tax on a parcel from outside the EU?
Expect 25% Swedish VAT on the item value plus shipping, a carrier handling fee (around 75–250 SEK), and customs duty if the value exceeds roughly 1,700 SEK (the duty rate depends on the product). There's no longer a low-value VAT exemption, so even small parcels are taxed.
What is the customs threshold in Sweden?
Customs duty generally applies above about 1,700 SEK (€150) in goods value, with the rate depending on the product category. Import VAT (25%) applies from the first krona — the old low-value exemption was removed, so value alone doesn't get a parcel through tax-free.
Can I bring my car to Sweden duty-free?
Within the EU, a car you've owned and used can usually come without new tax, though it must be registered in Sweden. From outside the EU it may qualify under the removal-goods (flyttsak) rules if it's part of a genuine permanent move and you meet the ownership-and-residence conditions; otherwise duty and VAT apply. Register with Transportstyrelsen either way.
What are flyttsaker?
Removal goods — your used household and personal effects imported when you move your permanent residence to Sweden from outside the EU. They're normally exempt from customs duty and import VAT if you've lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and owned and used the items for at least 6 months. You declare them to Tullverket, usually with an inventory list.
Sources
Thresholds and rates are indicative and change · Tullverket has the binding rules for your shipment · moving2.se