SE · SWE
EU- und Skandinavien-Markt; Exportindustrie und Nordeuropa-Gateway (Göteborg)
Capital: Stockholm
Overview
Sweden (SE) is an EU and Schengen member on the Scandinavian Peninsula and serves as an export-industry hub and Northern Europe gateway, with Gothenburg as the main container hub. As an EU member, Sweden is part of the EU customs union and single market; customs clearance is electronic via Tullverket under the Union Customs Code (pre-arrival via ICS2, export via AES). The standard VAT (moms) rate is 25 percent. Key gateways are the Port of Gothenburg (Scandinavia's largest port, around 909,000 TEU in 2024), Stockholm/Norvik, Helsingborg, Malmoe and Trelleborg (RoRo), plus the cargo airports Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Goeteborg Landvetter (GOT) and Malmoe (MMX). By land, the E4 (Helsingborg–Stockholm–Haparanda), the E6 to Oslo and the Oeresund Bridge to Denmark connect the country to the continent; key rail links are the Vaestra and Soedra main lines, the ScanMed corridor and the Malmbanan ore railway. Main exports are vehicles, machinery, forestry and steel products and pharmaceuticals; top trading partners are Germany, Norway, the USA, Denmark and Finland. The national currency is the Swedish krona (SEK).
Mentioned countries
Customs authority
Tullverket (Schwedischer Zoll)Import system
EU-Zollkodex (UZK); elektronische Einfuhrabfertigung über Tullverket, Vorabanmeldung via ICS2; gemeinsamer EU-Aussenzoll (TARIC).
Export system
Ausfuhrabfertigung elektronisch über das Tullverket-Exportsystem (AES) im Rahmen des UZK; im EU-Binnenmarkt zoll- und kontrollfrei.
Import VAT
EU-Präferenzabkommen: Warenverkehrsbescheinigung EUR.1, Ursprungserklärung und registrierter Ausführer (REX); innerhalb der EU kein Ursprungsnachweis nötig.
EU-harmonisierte Verbote und Beschränkungen: Waffen, Drogen, bestimmte Lebensmittel und Pflanzen (SPS), Artenschutz (CITES), Kulturgüter; Alkohol über Systembolaget-Monopol.
EU-Dual-Use-Verordnung 2021/821 und EU-Sanktionen gelten unmittelbar; nationale Lizenzierung über die ISP (Inspektionen för strategiska produkter).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Quick operational overview for shipments to the EU. The EU is a customs union; for imports from non‑EU countries, customs clearance and import VAT are typically key topics.
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Stabiles EU-Land mit moderner Infrastruktur. Lange Distanzen nach Nordschweden und winterliche Bedingungen können Transporte verzögern; vereinzelt Streiks möglich.
Strenge Winter mit Schnee und Eis im Norden behindern Schiene und Strasse; Vereisung im Bottnischen Meerbusen erfordert Eisbrecher; Herbststürme an den Küsten.
Wiederkehrende Arbeitskonflikte der Hafenarbeitergewerkschaft betreffen zeitweise Göteborg (RoRo-Terminal) und Helsingborg; aktuell keine landesweite Störung verifiziert. (Stand 2026-07-19)
As of: 2026-07-19
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | National | |||
| Jan 6, 2026 | Epiphany | National | |||
| Apr 3, 2026 | Good Friday | National | |||
| Apr 5, 2026 | Easter Sunday | National | |||
| Apr 6, 2026 | Easter Monday | National | |||
| May 1, 2026 | May Day | National | |||
| May 14, 2026 | Ascension Day | National | |||
| May 24, 2026 | Whit Sunday | National | |||
| Jun 6, 2026 | National Day of Sweden | National | |||
| Jun 20, 2026 | Midsummer Day | National | Around Midsummer (including Midsummer Eve the day before, de facto non-working) industry, terminals and customs offices largely shut down; plan several days ahead. | ||
| Oct 31, 2026 | All Saints' Day | National | |||
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | National | Operations largely shut down 24-26 December (Christmas Eve de facto non-working); terminals and customs offices closed or reduced. | ||
| Dec 26, 2026 | Second Day of Christmas | National |
New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2026
Epiphany
Jan 6, 2026
Good Friday
Apr 3, 2026
Easter Sunday
Apr 5, 2026
Easter Monday
Apr 6, 2026
May Day
May 1, 2026
Ascension Day
May 14, 2026
Whit Sunday
May 24, 2026
National Day of Sweden
Jun 6, 2026
Midsummer Day
Jun 20, 2026
Around Midsummer (including Midsummer Eve the day before, de facto non-working) industry, terminals and customs offices largely shut down; plan several days ahead.
All Saints' Day
Oct 31, 2026
Christmas Day
Dec 25, 2026
Operations largely shut down 24-26 December (Christmas Eve de facto non-working); terminals and customs offices closed or reduced.
Second Day of Christmas
Dec 26, 2026
Sources: Lag (1989:253) om allmänna helgdagar
Operator: Eurovignette-Verbund / Skatteverket (Erhebung Schweden)
truck, articulated
Time-based road user charge (Eurovignette) for goods vehicles of 12 t GVW and above on the designated network (mainly E-roads/motorways). Since 25 March 2025 rates are based on CO2 class and axle count instead of Euro emission class. After Denmark (1 Jan 2025) and the Netherlands (1 July 2026) left, only Sweden and Luxembourg remain in the scheme. Separate bridge tolls (Oresund, Svinesund) and congestion charges (Stockholm, Gothenburg) apply in addition.
Sources: Skatteverket / Transportstyrelsen
Official sources
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
The standard rate is 25 percent, with reduced rates of 12 and 6 percent. Foodstuffs are temporarily taxed at 6 percent (1 April 2026 to 31 December 2027), otherwise 12 percent.
Tullverket (Swedish Customs) is responsible. Imports are filed electronically through the Tullverket system, pre-arrival data via ICS2 and exports via the AES export system.
Yes. Sweden has been an EU member since 1995. Goods move freely within the single market; the common EU external tariff and TARIC apply to third countries.
No. Sweden is in the EU but not in the eurozone. The national currency is the Swedish krona (SEK); payments are made in SEK.
Gothenburg is the largest port in Scandinavia and the country's main container gateway, handling around 909,000 TEU in 2024. Other key ports are Stockholm/Norvik, Malmoe, Helsingborg and Trelleborg.
The main cargo airport is Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) with around 84,700 tonnes in 2023, followed by Goeteborg Landvetter (GOT), Malmoe (MMX) and Luleaa (LLA).
The EU Dual-Use Regulation 2021/821 and EU sanctions apply directly. National licences for dual-use and military goods are issued by the ISP (Inspectorate of Strategic Products).
In winter, snow and ice mainly in northern Sweden disrupt rail and road; ports in the Gulf of Bothnia can freeze and need icebreakers. Buffer time is advisable.
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start: