Moving to Sweden – customs exemption for personal belongings

The basic conditions set by Tullverket (Swedish Customs) – one year of residence outside the EU, the intention to live in Sweden for at least one year, and the form for duty relief – are listed above. This section covers the special cases that often travel along on a move to the north: leased cars, hunting or sporting firearms, alcohol and pets.

Who can receive the relief

Tullverket sets out the residence condition in two parts: either you have never lived in the EU, including Sweden, or you have had your normal place of residence outside the EU for at least one uninterrupted year. The items must have belonged to you for at least 6 months before departure and must have been used by you or your household for at least 6 months in your home outside the EU.

For the inventory list, this means that appliances bought shortly before the move do not meet the six-month rule. Keep a record of purchase dates for larger acquisitions so that the distinction is clear. Items bought after you arrive are a separate matter, which you can clarify directly with Tullverket if necessary.

Cars and leased vehicles

According to Tullverket, a vehicle can count as relieved household goods if it belonged to you and was used by you or a member of your household for at least 6 months before departure. An additional condition applies to leased cars: the contract must show that you used the car privately for at least 6 months at your place of residence outside the EU.

Before the move, therefore, check whether your leasing contract contains this information, and request confirmation from the leasing company in good time if it is missing. On the Swiss side, the vehicle is declared for export separately, as described above.

Firearms, alcohol and pets

According to Tullverket, firearms, ammunition and weapon parts are subject to special restrictions and must be declared to customs – regardless of whether you are coming from the EU or from outside it. In addition, a permit from the police authority or from the Inspectorate of Strategic Products may be required. Hunting and sporting firearms therefore do not belong in the removal van undeclared.

According to Tullverket, there is no exemption from customs duty and VAT for alcohol and tobacco as part of household goods; as a traveller you can bring a limited quantity duty-free. The rules for dogs and cats are published by the Swedish Board of Agriculture, Jordbruksverket, in its own travel guide. On the Swiss side, the BLV (Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office) lists a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and a pet passport.

• Record purchase dates on the inventory list for acquisitions made in the last 6 months.
• Check your leasing contract for the statement on private use.
• Declare firearms to Tullverket and obtain any necessary permits in advance.
• Bring alcohol and tobacco only in traveller quantities.
• Check Jordbruksverket's rules for dogs and cats in good time.
• In Switzerland, declare the export during opening hours at a customs office for commercial goods traffic (BAZG).

Tullverket's information is authoritative; check the details there in advance. You can find other destinations in Europe under international removals, for example removals to Poland or removals to Germany.

Frequently asked questions

Who handles customs formalities in both countries when moving to Sweden?
We do: we take care of the complete customs clearance, i.e. the export at Swiss customs (BAZG) and the import into Sweden. From you, we need the details for the inventory list and the documents for duty relief with Tullverket. We raise special cases such as a vehicle or firearms during the survey.

How are household goods packed for the long drive to Sweden?
Our carpenters dismantle furniture, wrap it in blankets and film and secure it in the vehicle against slipping; crockery and glass go into padded boxes. On request, our packing service packs your entire household. Transport is insured, and at the destination we put beds and wardrobes back together.

How do you handle appliances bought shortly before a move to Sweden?
We list them on the inventory list separately from the rest of your household goods and pack them in specially marked boxes. Put the receipts in a folder that travels with you, not in the removal van. That way, at import it can quickly be shown which items meet the period of use and which need to be clarified separately.

When is the Swiss flat handed over if you are already on your way to Sweden?
On the agreed handover date, without you having to travel back: with end-of-tenancy cleaning including our handover guarantee, our team is on site for the inspection and fixes any complaints immediately and free of charge. Whether you attend yourself or authorise someone else, you arrange with the property management. That way you can set off north without stress.

What should I do with furniture I plan to sell soon after arriving in Sweden?
It is best to sort out such items while still in Switzerland, because Tullverket requires notification before relieved household goods are passed on within the restriction period. Whatever is not coming along we take away on moving day and dispose of properly. This also saves load space on the long drive north.

What happens to my wine collection when moving from Switzerland to Sweden?
It does not travel duty-free with your household goods, because Tullverket excludes alcohol from the relief for household goods. Plan early, therefore, whether to give bottles away, enjoy them beforehand or pay duty on them after checking with Tullverket. Whatever comes along we list separately on the inventory list and pack break-proof in padded boxes.

What applies to a piano when moving from Switzerland to Sweden?
We transport a piano as a separate item: well padded, firmly strapped down in the vehicle and carried to the desired spot at the destination. Like other household goods, it belongs on the inventory list. We clarify the carrying route, stairs and floors at both addresses during the survey and include the effort directly in the quote.

Why does a flat rate make sense for removals to Sweden?
Because many working hours add up on such a long route. After the free survey, we agree on request a flat rate or cost ceiling, so that the amount for the agreed services is fixed before the removal van sets off. Additional services such as interim storage or end-of-tenancy cleaning are listed separately in the quote.

Which documents should travel in your own luggage when moving to Sweden?
Everything you need on the way or on arrival: passport or ID, a copy of the inventory list, the form for duty relief, vehicle documents and, for pets, the pet passport. Plus your rental agreement, employment contract and valuables. These things do not belong in the moving boxes, so that they remain to hand at all times.