Importing a Car to Sweden (2026): Customs & VAT Guide

Relocating to Sweden with a personal automobile or purchasing a vehicle from Germany, Netherlands, or the US can offer substantial cost savings compared to the local secondhand car market. However, navigating Swedish vehicle import regulations requires completing four strict steps involving Tullverket (Swedish Customs), Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency), and accredited inspection stations like Bilprovningen.

This guide outlines the 2026 legal process for importing a car to Sweden, covering origin verification (ursprungskontroll), customs duty exemptions for personal moving goods (flyttsak), and 25% VAT rules.

Step 1: Customs Declaration & VAT (Tullverket Rules)

Your tax liability depends on whether your vehicle originates from within the European Union or outside:

EU Country Imports (Used Cars): Zero customs duty (tull) and zero Swedish VAT (moms) apply if the vehicle has been driven more than 6,000 km AND owned for more than 6 months prior to import.
EU Country Imports (New Cars): Zero customs duty applies, but 25% Swedish VAT must be paid to Skatteverket.
Non-EU Country Imports (US, UK, Switzerland): Standard imports are subject to a 10% customs duty rate calculated on purchase price plus freight, plus 25% VAT on the total value.
Personal Relocation Exemption (Flyttsak): If you relocate from a non-EU nation and have resided outside the EU for at least 12 months while owning the car for at least 6 months, you can apply for 100% duty and VAT exemption.

2026 Financial Case Study: Importing a Used BMW from Germany to Stockholm

Suppose a Stockholm resident purchases a secondhand German sedan for €22,000 (approx. SEK 250,000) with 45,000 km on the odometer:

Customs Duty & VAT: SEK 0 (Exempt under EU used vehicle intra-community rules).
Transportstyrelsen Origin Verification (Ursprungskontroll): SEK 1,240.
Bilprovningen Registration Inspection (Registreringsbesiktning): SEK 1,800.
Swedish License Plate Pair Fee: SEK 120.
Total Registration Cost: SEK 3,160 total outlay (saving an estimated SEK 35,000 vs local market prices).

Step 2: Transportstyrelsen Origin Check (Ursprungskontroll)

Before your car can enter a Swedish inspection bay, you must apply online for an ursprungskontroll with Transportstyrelsen (fee SEK 1,240). You must mail physical original documents:

Original foreign registration certificate (Part 1 and Part 2).
Official purchase invoice, contract, or bill of sale showing seller and buyer details.
Tullverket customs release document (if imported from outside the EU).

Step 3: Registration Inspection (Registreringsbesiktning)

Once Transportstyrelsen approves your origin verification, book a registreringsbesiktning at an accredited inspection station (Bilprovningen, Opus, or Besikta). The inspector verifies:

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN / chassinummer) matching paper records.
EU Type Approval (CoC / Certificate of Conformity) or individual vehicle approval.
Emissions compliance, light alignment, and road safety integrity.

NordDaily Tips

So What? Always obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the vehicle manufacturer before shipping your car to Sweden! Without a CoC document, inspection stations will charge up to SEK 4,500 extra for custom noise, braking, and emissions testing.

Sources

Estimate only. Talk to a qualified adviser before acting on anything here.