Sweden

The Kingdom of Sweden (Sweden) is a highly developed Northern European economy and a member of the European Union (EU). It ranks among the top 25 economies globally (by nominal GDP), with a population of about 10.5 million people. Sweden is known for its advanced digital infrastructure, high standard of living, and strong consumer purchasing power. With an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) comparative price level of around 124, Swedish consumers pay on average 24% more than Americans for the same product – making Sweden a high-value and attractive ecommerce market.

Key info

Country code (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2): SE
Country code top-level domain (ccTLD): .se
Currency (ISO4217): Swedish Krona SEK
World Trade Organization (WTO) Status: Member
EU Membership: Yes (since 1995, part of the Single Market and Customs Union)

Duty information

Sweden follows the European Union Customs Union rules, administered by Swedish Customs (Tullverket) and harmonized across all EU member states.

Import duty rates are based on the EU Common Customs Tariff (CCT).
Most Favored Nation (MFN) ad valorem rates typically range from 0% to 20%, depending on the product (with higher duties on some textiles, footwear, and agricultural goods).
Many industrial inputs, raw materials, and IT goods enter duty-free.
Duty is calculated on the CIF value - the value of goods, shipping and insurance combined.
Goods from other EU countries move freely with no customs duties or border checks.

Sales tax

Sweden applies Value Added Tax (VAT, “Moms”) under EU VAT law:

Standard rate: 25% (applies to most goods and services)
Reduced rates:
- 12% (e.g. some foods)
- 6% (e.g. books & newspapers)
VAT on imports is charged on the value of goods + duty + transport + insurance.

Additional taxes & charges

Excise duties apply on alcohol, tobacco, and some energy products.
Environmental charges exist on certain items, such as packaging waste, electronics, and chemicals.
Anti-dumping duties (ADD) and countervailing duties (CVD) apply to specific imports under EU trade defense measures (e.g. steel, bicycles, chemicals).

De minimis thresholds

Customs duty de minimis: Goods valued up to EUR 150 are exempt from customs duties (but not VAT).
VAT de minimis: There is no VAT exemption threshold for imports into Sweden – all imported goods are subject to VAT regardless of value.

Free trade agreements

As an EU member, Sweden participates in all EU free trade agreements, covering over 70 countries worldwide. Key agreements include:

EU Single Market & Customs Union: Free movement of goods across all EU/EEA member states with no duties or customs checks.
EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Preferential duty-free trade with the UK (rules of origin apply).
EU–Canada (CETA): Tariff elimination on most goods of Canadian/EU origin.

Prohibited & restricted goods

Sweden enforces EU-wide import restrictions, plus national rules through Tullverket. Restricted or prohibited goods include:

Firearms, ammunition, and explosives (without license/permit)
Controlled drugs and narcotics
Counterfeit goods, pirated media, and trademark-infringing products
Endangered species and wildlife products (CITES restrictions)
Certain food, plants, and animals (subject to EU phytosanitary and veterinary rules)
Hazardous chemicals, asbestos, and ozone-depleting substances
Cultural property, artworks, and antiquities (subject to permits)
Goods from sanctioned countries (subject to EU sanctions regime, e.g. Russia, North Korea, Iran)

The official list of prohibited and restricted imports is available on the European Commission website.