Do I need to think about customs when I move within the EU?
No. If you move within the EU, you do not have to pay any fees to Tullverket. Certain areas are outside the EU's tax area, for example Åland and the Canary Islands, and there the same rules apply as when you move to or from a country outside the EU.
Source: Tullverket: Moving to and from Sweden.
Who can move their belongings to Sweden duty-free?
The basic requirement is that you intend to live in Sweden for at least one year. You must also have had your normal residence outside the EU for a continuous period of at least one year, and have owned and used the goods for at least six months there. You have one year to bring the goods home, counted from the day you move in. Personal property also includes the car or another vehicle and a pet. Alcohol and tobacco are not included.
During the first year, you must not sell, rent out, lend, give away or pledge the goods without paying customs duty and VAT, and Tullverket makes no exceptions to that rule.
Source: Tullverket: Customs and tax exemption for you who move to Sweden, Tullverket: Moving to and from Sweden.
What forms are needed?
You fill in the Declaration for customs exemption for moving goods for immigrants and Manual customs declaration. If you want to know in advance if the items will be tax-free, you can apply for a preliminary decision with code C42, no earlier than six months before the planned move. The forms can be found on the Customs Authority's page on customs and tax exemption for immigrants.
Source: Tullverket: Customs and tax exemption for you who move to Sweden.
The car as moving goods
The car can be included in the moving goods on the same conditions as other items. A foreign-registered vehicle can be used for one week from the day you enter Sweden with it. After that, it needs a temporary registration or a registration inspection.
Source: Tullverket: Customs and tax exemption for you who move to Sweden, Tullverket: Questions and answers about customs exemption for moving goods.
Move from Sweden to a country outside the EU
If you are moving to a country outside the EU, which also applies to Norway, Iceland and Åland, the moving goods must be export declared. You can do this yourself at a customs office at the border, or let the removal company or a forwarding company do it. What the country you are moving to requires for import is decided by that country's customs authority. For Norway, see the guide on moving to Norway.
Source: Tullverket: Moving from Sweden to a country outside the EU.
How to handle moving goods in customs
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Step 1: Find out if the country you are moving from or to is within the EU's tax area. Within the EU, you do not need to do anything with Tullverket.
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Step 2: If you are moving to Sweden from a country outside the EU: check that you have lived there for at least one year in a row and owned and used the items for at least six months.
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Step 3: Write a list of the items and fill in the forms Declaration for customs exemption for moving goods for immigrants and Manual customs declaration.
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Step 4: If you want to know in advance: apply for a preliminary decision with code C42, no earlier than six months before the move.
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Step 5: If you are moving from Sweden to a country outside the EU, also Norway and Åland: export declare the moving goods at a customs office or via the removal company.
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Step 6: Ask the removal company in advance who will prepare the customs documents and what it costs. our advice
Common questions
Do I have to pay customs when I move within the EU?
No. When moving within the EU, you should not pay any fees to Tullverket. This does not apply to areas outside the EU's tax territory, such as the Åland Islands and the Canary Islands.
Can I bring my car tax-free when I move to Sweden?
The car and other vehicles are considered personal property and may be covered by duty- and tax-free status. A foreign-registered vehicle can be used for one week from the day you travel in with it, then temporary registration or registration inspection is required.
Can I bring wine and spirits as moving goods?
Alcohol and tobacco are not covered by the duty- and tax-free status for moving goods, according to Tullverket.
Can I sell things after moving?
Not during the first year without paying customs duty and VAT. During that time, you must not sell, rent out, lend, give away or pledge them, and Tullverket makes no exceptions.