Sweden
Sweden Customs Information – Hercules Worldwide
Because Sweden is landlocked, all surface freight shipments will be imported through a base European port including either: Antwerp, Belgium or Rotterdam, Netherlands. Your Swiss destination agent will transfer the shipment in bond to Switzerland for customs clearance.
**Strict Swiss customs rules regarding descriptive inventories will not accept “packed by owner” under any circumstances. Please refrain from using this. **
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Copy of first 3 pages of passport
- Residence permit or Zusicherung Aufenthaltsbewilligung
- Property title or lease of residence in Switzerland
- Detailed inventory list in English, French, German, or Italian; must be signed and dated by customer, include 3 copies showing:
- Full contents of shipment and any other shipments
- Appliances require to list make and serial number
- 2 copies of customs import form 18.44 and list of any and all alcoholic beverages required to be completed upon arriving in Switzerland
- Attestation of residence issued by local authorities required for returning nationals
- Foreigners require a residence and work permit issued by local authorities
- Must submit inventory for all shipments with first shipment
- Swiss: “Schriftenempfangsschein” (receipt for depositing papers at Town Hall)
- Form of owners declaration of personal household goods (Erklarung/Abfertigungsantrag)
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- REGISTRATION WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES REQUIRED FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BE IN SWITZERLAND & TAKE UP RESIDENCE BEFORE CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IF WANT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR DUTY-FREE IMPORT OF USED HOUSEHOLD GOODS & PERSONAL EFFECTS.
- Used household and personal effects required to have been owned for at least 6 months & remain in customer’s possession for at least 1 year upon arrival
- Must import goods during period of transfer of residence
- Wedding presents must be shipped within 3 months following the wedding date for free entry
- Inheritance:
- For duty-free import must be used and declared owner must have lived abroad
- Legal heirs require residence in Switzerland
- Declaration form 18.46 must be completed and given to local Swiss customs before import
- Used household goods given by a living person to an heir as inheritance advancement is considered inheritance goods
RESTRICTED ITEMS/DUTIABLE
- Items less than 6 months old (new items) require an invoice and should be listed separately on inventory
- Foodstuffs in quantity
- Alcoholic beverages must be declared or will result in penalty of heavy fines
- All restricted items and appliances should be loaded near container doors for easy access by customs
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Narcotics and drugs
- Weapons
- Sporting & hunting guns may be imported with permit
- Ammunition
- Anti-radar equipment
- Cleaning fluids
- Animal products from endangered/protected species
MOTOR VEHICLES
- May import duty-free is used & owned for more than 6 months and will not be re-sold within 12 months of import
- All imported vehicles must comply with Swiss government regulations
- Permission to import is granted on a case-by-case basis
- The following documents are required for import:
- Work permit
- Title
- Passport
- Purchase invoice
- Form 18.44
- Proof of residence
- Valid driver’s license
- Car license from previous country
- Foreign registration card
- Swiss insurance receipt
PETS
- Allowed to import cats, dogs and birds
- Requires inoculation, veterinary attestation and anti-rabies vaccination
- A quarantine period may be required
**NOTE- all customs regulations and procedures are subject to change at any time. The above customs information is provided as a brief summary of Sweden customs regulations and applies only to household goods shipments, and is for your general guidance. Hercules Worldwide is not liable for any damage, delays, duties, costs, taxes or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance, omissions or errors. Always check full requirements and restrictions with the local embassy or consulate. **
