Importing Personal Effects into Sweden: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2023 · Download the Sweden Import Guide (PDF)

Removal goods

• Swedish Customs forms in hard copy:
• TV 740.44 or 740.46, issue May 5, 2022, Swedish version.
• TV 740.45 (for migrant issued October 2020 or 740.47 (for returnee) issued, issue Aug 1 2018, English Version.
• Proof that you are moving to Sweden (e.g. proof of residence or residence permit or work permit where applicable.
• Application/Decision from the Swedish Tax Agency concerning registration in the Population Register or a copy of “personbevis” if you are already registered.
• Copy of passport, photo and identification pages.
• Certificate from your employer proving work abroad and in Sweden.
• Ocean Bill of Lading/Sea Waybill for sea shipments and Air Way Bill for air shipments – provided by the moving company.
• Household goods inventory in Swedish or English – provided by the moving company.

• Customs exemption is granted for goods other than spirits, liquors, wines, export beers and tobacco products if they are presented for customs clearance by or on behalf of a person who:
• Immigrates from abroad without having been domiciled in Sweden previously or
• Has been or is domiciled in Sweden and immigrates or returns to this country after having stayed abroad for at least one year.
• Are owned by the person for whom they are given customs clearance.
• Are found not to be in excess of the needs of the owner and his household.
• Constitute household necessities or have been used abroad by the owner or a member of his household.
• Are to be used in this country by the owner or a member of his household.
• Goods must arrive within one year after person has formally moved into Sweden.
• Must have intention to stay in Sweden for more than one year. PLEASE NOTE
• Returning person: Client must be in Sweden and have registered domicile in Sweden in
• order to get duty exemption.

• The Customs form must be presented to the local agent with original signature.
• Please contact your local agent to get the latest versions of the Customs Form.

Diplomatic removals

• Exemption permit from the Swedish Foreign Department (TV 740.22 – application for duty free import).
• Stamped ( by Swedish MOFA) packing lists and alcohol list – if any.

• Duty free entry.

• For Diplomatic shipments: the Embassy or consulate they represent must complete, stamp and sign an “Application for Duty Free Import” and send it to the Swedish Foreign Ministry for approval (stamped) along with the packing lists and the list of alcohol – if any.
• Once the form is approved and stamped, it is fine to bring alcohol without customs duty, alcohol tax and Swedish VAT.
• The destination agent will need this application form in original as well.

Inheritance

• Copy of the Will of the deceased or a certified relevant extract
• Inventory (if the copy of the Will or other document does not specifically detail of these).

• Duty free entry.

• The consignee must prove that he has inherited the items.

Wedding trousseaux

• Same as for removal goods.
• Copy of marriage certificate.

• The gifts must have been received or promised in close connection with the wedding.

New furniture, household items

• Commercial invoice.
• Movement certificate (if applicable).
• EC-certificate if applicable.
• Invoice for freight and insurance.

• Subject to customs duty and V.A.T.

Works of art, antiques

• No special documents for antiques in a removal.

• Duty free entry when shipped as household goods.

• Antiques and works of art imported into Sweden for re-sale are subject to duties.
• If sold and shipped as commercial goods, certificate stating value and over 100 years of age is necessary.

Precious metal objects

• Duty free entry is allowed on the same basis and under the same conditions as furniture and other articles.

Motor cars, motor cycles, caravans, trailers

• Bill of sale / sales invoice.
• Certificate of registration.
• Insurance documents.
• Proof of use and ownership of the car for at least 6 months before shipping the car to Sweden if immigrating, 12 months minimum if returning.
• Proof that you are moving to Sweden (e.g. proof of residence or residence permit or work permit where applicable.
• Decision from the Swedish Tax Authority concerning registration in the Population Register.
• Copy of passport.

• Owner must have lived outside Sweden for at least 12 months.
• Returning person: must have owned and used the vehicle for more than one year.
• Immigrant: must have owned and used the vehicle for more than 6 months.

• For ownership 6 months the vehicle must meet Swedish Standards.
• In the first year of being granted duty/tax exemption for the vehicle, you must not in any way transfer it to anyone else. If, during this time, you wish to sell, lend, pledge, rent out or give away the vehicle, you must first notify Swedish Customs. This is because you will then need to pay customs duty, VAT and other taxes on the vehicle.

Exporting Personal Effects from Sweden: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2023 · Download the Sweden Export Guide (PDF)

Household Goods / PE

• Client´s Swedish personal ID number.
• Copy of Copy of passport, photo and identification pages.
• Clients Swedish personal ID number if not a Swedish passport holder
• Household goods inventory in Swedish or English
• provided by the moving company.

Sweden Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Sweden Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

Swedish Customs forms (hard copy with original signature — obtain current versions from the local destination agent):

• TV 740.44 or TV 740.46 (May 2022 issue, Swedish version) — for general removal
• TV 740.45 (October 2020 issue) for immigrants, or TV 740.47 (August 2018 issue) for returnees — English versions
• Proof of move to Sweden (e.g., proof of residence, residence permit, or work permit where applicable)
• Application or decision from the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) concerning registration in the Swedish Population Register, or copy of "personbevis" if already registered
• Copy of passport (photo and identification pages)
• Certificate from employer confirming work abroad and in Sweden
• Ocean Bill of Lading or Sea Waybill (sea shipments) or Airway Bill (air shipments) — provided by the moving company
• Household goods inventory in Swedish or English — provided by the moving company

• Exemption permit from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Form TV 740.22 — Application for Duty Free Import), stamped by the Swedish MOFA
• Stamped packing lists and alcohol list (if any)

Specific Information

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.

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.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Narcotics and illegal drugs
• Counterfeit goods
• Goods subject to EU trade sanctions (including goods related to Russia and Belarus — verify current EU sanctions list)
• Wildlife and wildlife products covered by CITES CITES
• Certain invasive species
• Goods that contravene EU regulations on restricted substances

Alcohol and tobacco: Excluded from the household goods duty exemption. Must be declared and are subject to duty and alcohol tax. Clearance for alcohol takes approximately 3 weeks. Customs may destroy undeclared alcohol at the owner's expense. Importation can be expensive; contact the destination agent for current rates.

Intra-EU imports: For goods moving from another EU member state, no customs duties apply, though Swedish excise taxes still apply to alcohol and tobacco above personal use quantities.

Medicine: Allowed with a doctor's prescription for personal use only; a 5-day supply is the general allowance. Larger quantities require documentation.

Plants, fruit, and vegetables: Require a plant passport or phytosanitary certificate issued by the national Plant Protection Service. Contact the destination agent.

Products and goods made from animals: Special permission required.

Firearms: Subject to permit requirements and Swedish firearms legislation.

New items: Subject to customs duty and VAT if not part of a qualifying household goods exemption.

Consignment Instructions

Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences between air and sea shipments.

Swedish Customs forms must be presented in original hard copy with original signature. The destination agent provides the forms; confirm the current version numbers before departure. The Customs declaration must match the inventory exactly — vague descriptions are not accepted.

The owner must be registered in Sweden with Skatteverket at the time of customs clearance. Returning residents must already be in Sweden and registered before the duty exemption can be applied. For immigrants, goods must arrive within 12 months of the owner's arrival.

All wood packaging must comply with ISPM 15 (not applicable to manufactured furniture).

Alcohol and tobacco are excluded from the duty exemption and require separate handling. Clearance for alcohol typically takes around 3 weeks.