Sweden

Specific Information

A customs exemption on goods (excluding spirits, liqueurs, wines, export beers, and tobacco) is granted to a person who either immigrates to Sweden for the first time without having previously been domiciled there, or returns to Sweden after having lived abroad for at least one year. All of the following conditions must also be met: the goods are owned by the person presenting them for clearance; they are not in excess of household needs; they constitute household necessities or have been used abroad by the owner or a household member; they will be used in Sweden by the owner or a household member; the goods arrive within one year of the owner formally moving to Sweden; and the owner intends to stay in Sweden for more than one year.

For returning persons: the client must already be in Sweden and have registered domicile in Sweden in order to obtain duty exemption. For immigrants: goods must arrive within 12 months of the owner's arrival.

The detailed inventory must be descriptive and state the contents of each item and carton. Vague descriptions such as "miscellaneous," "garage items," or "PBO" (packed by owner) are not accepted.

The owner must be registered in Sweden with Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency) before or at the time of customs clearance, but does not need to be physically present during clearance.

Goods imported duty-free must not be brought in for commercial use or for the use of other persons.

Physical inspection of the shipment is generally not required, but Customs may request one.

New furniture is permitted if accompanied by a commercial invoice with price, date, and place of purchase, plus a packing list; it is subject to customs duty and VAT.

Works of art and antiques imported as part of household goods receive duty-free entry. Antiques and works of art imported for resale are subject to duties. Precious metal objects receive duty-free entry on the same basis as furniture and other household items.

ISPM 15: All wood used for crates, lift vans, and bulkheads must be heat-treated or fumigated per ISPM 15 and carry the certified stamp. This does not apply to manufactured furniture.

Diplomatic shipments: The embassy or consulate must complete, stamp, and sign an Application for Duty Free Import (TV 740.22) and submit it to the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval, along with packing lists and an alcohol list if applicable. Once approved, the stamped original must be provided to the destination agent. Alcohol may be included in approved diplomatic shipments without customs duty, alcohol tax, or VAT.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Bill of sale/sales invoice (must include price, date, and place of purchase)
• Certificate of registration
• Insurance documents (proof that insurance has been paid for at least the last 12 months)
• Proof of use and ownership: at least 6 months for immigrants; at least 12 months for returning residents
• Proof of move to Sweden (residence permit, work permit, or equivalent)
• Decision from Skatteverket concerning registration in the Swedish Population Register
• Copy of passport

Specific Information

To qualify for customs duty and VAT exemption: an immigrant must have owned and used the vehicle for more than 6 months before shipping; a returning resident must have owned and used the vehicle for more than 12 months. The owner must have lived outside Sweden (outside the EU) for at least 12 months.

Only one vehicle per person may be imported duty-free. Vehicles not included in a qualifying household goods shipment are subject to customs fees, duties, and VAT.

The vehicle may not be sold, lent, pledged, rented out, or given away within 12 months of import. If the owner wishes to transfer the vehicle during this period, Swedish Customs must be notified first, and customs duty, VAT, and other applicable taxes will then become due.

If the vehicle has been owned for only 6 months and meets Swedish technical standards, duty-free entry may be granted for immigrant cases. Customs clearance for vehicles takes approximately 1–2 working days.

Pets

• ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip **From EU Member States or Part 1 Listed Countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand)**
• Current rabies vaccination (administered at the same time as or after microchipping; 21-day wait after primary vaccination before travel) **From EU Member States or Part 1 Listed Countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand)**
• EU Pet Passport (for resident EU pets), EU Health Certificate (for non-EU-resident pets), or government-issued Pet Passport from a Part 1 listed country **From EU Member States or Part 1 Listed Countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand)**
• Official veterinary health certificate **From EU Member States or Part 1 Listed Countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand)**
• ISO-compliant microchip **From the United Kingdom**
• Current rabies vaccination **From the United Kingdom**
• Animal Health Certificate (AHC), valid for 6 months — do not use an EU Pet Passport for UK-origin pets **From the United Kingdom**
• ISO-compliant microchip **From Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Countries**
• Current rabies vaccination **From Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Countries**
• Rabies titer test (RNAT), taken no earlier than 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel **From Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Countries**
• EU Health Certificate **From Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Countries**

Sweden is an EU member state and follows EU pet import regulations for dogs, cats, and ferrets. The EU modified its non-commercial pet transport regulations in April 2026, with a transition period until March 2027. Sweden applies EU-wide standards with some additional national requirements administered by the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket).

No quarantine is imposed if all EU requirements are met. Pets not meeting requirements will be quarantined, returned, or euthanized at the owner's expense.

Microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination — if vaccinated before microchipping, the vaccination does not count for EU purposes.

Sweden has historically applied stricter national rules around certain dog breeds and animal health requirements. Contact the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) to confirm current rules, particularly for dogs, before import.

The April 2026 EU regulatory update introduced changes to non-commercial pet transport; a transition period applies until March 2027. Confirm current requirements with the destination agent.

Pets must enter Sweden with their owner. Non-commercial transport applies to a maximum of 5 pets per passport.

The IAM baseline guide noted a 4-month quarantine — this is no longer applicable under current EU regulations when all requirements are met. The 2018 information was outdated.