Customs control in Sweden
Customs control in Sweden is subject to the general rules and regulations of the Eurozone, but there are some nuances that are not typical of other countries. Before traveling, be sure to find out what and in what quantities you are allowed to import and export from the country, otherwise, the rules of the game will be explained to you by the Swedish customs, not particularly ceremonious with the violator.
Duty Free Importation Regulations
When packing your bags, don't hesitate to check with your tour operator to find out what you can bring into Sweden on a plane with your hand luggage for free and what you'll have to pay duty on. Trying to cheat the law will cost you more: import violations are punishable by hefty fines and seized goods are subject to confiscation.
Swedish customs law allows the following goods to be imported duty-free:
Cash in the amount of 10,000 EUR and above is subject to declaration; the law does not provide for limits on currency export.
Tobacco products may only be imported in limited quantities for travelers over 18 years of age. A maximum of 200 cigarettes may be brought into Sweden from countries outside the EU. Cigars can be brought in up to 50 cigars, cigarillos up to 100 cigars and snuff up to 250 grams.
Because of the high cost and strict rules for alcoholic beverages in Scandinavia, many tourists are interested in how much alcohol they can bring into Sweden for personal consumption. The possibility of importing spirits (22-60% vol.) is limited to one liter; liquor and wine (up to 22% vol.) - two liters. Persons over 20 years of age are allowed to bring alcohol. The answer to the question of how much alcohol you can take out of Sweden is determined by the customs regulations of the country of travel.
When entering Sweden from Eurozone countries, restrictions are relaxed: the number of duty-free cigarettes increases to 800, cigarillos to 400, cigars to 200 and tobacco to 1 kg. From hot drinks it is allowed to import up to 10 liters of spirits, up to 20 liters of liquor and fortified wine, up to 90 liters of table wines and up to 110 liters of beer.
Pets and plants in substrate are only allowed into Sweden after quarantine. Four-legged friends will also require an international veterinary passport and a rabies vaccination certificate.
What is prohibited to bring into Sweden
What is forbidden to take out of Sweden
How to get your VAT back in Sweden
Tax Free can be a great help for non-Eurozone shoppers. Submitting a completed Tax Free form entitles you to a VAT refund from Swedish customs for purchases made in the kingdom.
The service applies only to goods with a total value of at least 200 SEK purchased within one day with a VAT rate of at least 6%. The prerequisite for the tax refund is that the goods are used outside the EU, i.e. the packaging of the goods must be intact when the purchases are presented to the customs officer.
You can get a stamped Tax Free form from a store that supports the duty-free system, as indicated by the Global Blue logo in the window or at the counter. If you have difficulty filling in the form, the seller can enter your personal details from your passport into the boxes, and the document will be signed by the buyer.
Before you fly home, the form must be cashed at the Global Blue/Tax Free counter in the airport terminal by presenting the completed form and your purchases in undamaged packaging. A cashier's check is only required for items over 500 SEK.
Payments are made in cash, bank card refunds are only available at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport. Some airports charge a fee for using the form.
Tourists traveling by car, ferry, or train can obtain customs clearance and VAT refunds at the point of exit from the EU.
