Export of goods to non-EU countries
The page was last modified:When you sell goods to a country outside the EU, this means that you are exporting. When exporting, you do not report or add any Swedish VAT. On the other hand, you will need to submit an export declaration to Swedish Customs.
VAT and customs duties on exports of goods to non-EU countries
Would you like to know more about what applies when you need to declare your goods for export?
Read more about customs duties on exporting goods to non-EU countries
Read more about VAT when exporting goods to non-EU countries
Guides and services for export to non-EU/EEA countries
Guides and services that can assist you when exporting goods to non-EU/EEA countries are available here.
The Export Guide
For information and guidance in your export preparation, Business Sweden has developed the Export Guide.
Read more about the Export Guide on Business Sweden’s website (in Swedish)
The Norway-Sweden Border Service
The country outside the EU we have the most trading with is our neighbour, Norway. The Norwegian-Sweden border service has coordinated information from public authorities in both Sweden and Norway. The information is intended for companies that want to undertake assignments, trade with customers, or establish a company in Norway.
Read more about the Border Service, on the Border Service’s website (in Swedish)
Øresund Direct Business
Øresund Direct Business is a guide for companies that are conducting or planning to start-up business operations in the Oresund region. You will find information here about the recruitment of employees, forming companies, plus the market and trade between Denmark and Sweden.
Read more about Øresund Direct Business, on ØresundDirekt Business’ website (in Swedish)
Nordkalotten’s Border Service
Nordkalotten’s Border Service has customers in Finland, Norway and Sweden. The service provides relevant and up-to-date information that assists companies that operate on both sides of the border. In addition, the Border Service works to remove barriers to border trade.
Export Restrictions
For certain goods, special rules and regulations apply; rules and regulations that you must keep in mind when exporting goods. If your product is subject to restrictions, as a general rule you must have an export license or some form of authorisation. Contact the responsible authority. Examples of such goods are:
- Agricultural products (Swedish Board of Agriculture) (in Swedish)
- Cultural objects (Swedish National Heritage Board)
- Endangered animals and plants (Swedish Board of Agriculture) (in Swedish)
- Radioactive waste (Radiation Safety Authority) (in Swedish)
- Spent refrigerants, from for example refrigerators, freezers (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency) (in Swedish)
- Military equipment and products for both civil and military purposes (Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products) (in Swedish)
Products intended for civilian use but which can also be used for military purposes; this may include various chemicals, machine tools, heat exchangers, valves and pumps.
Sanctions
Certain countries are subject to sanctions in the form of trade restrictions on specific goods. In some cases, you may nevertheless be allowed to export such goods to these countries. This requires an export license. In Sweden, it is the National Board of Trade and the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products that are the public authorities responsible for this area.
Read more about export licenses, on the National Board of Trade’s website
Import requirements in exporting countries
The country to which you are exporting may offer tariff benefits in accordance with a Free Trade Agreement. On the other hand, it may have import restrictions that may negatively impact your possibility to do business in that country.
You should carefully investigate the terms and conditions to have access to the market concerned.
Read more under Market research
If you encounter obstacles
Exports to non-EU countries can sometimes be impeded or made more difficult by i.a. licensing requirements, unfair product regulations, taxes and surcharges, or various types of approval procedures.
The National Board of Trade assists companies that encounter trade barriers with inside or outside the EU. You can report trade barriers to the National Board of Trade, which assesses the possibilities that exist for resolving the problem.
Read more about trade barriers outside the EU, on the National Board of Trade’s website (in Swedish)
Report trade barriers outside the EU, on the National Board of Trade’s website (in Swedish)
Read about registered trade barriers outside the EU, in the Market Access Database
Responsible: Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth