Ending T1 transit in Sweden
T1, T-Doc and T1 document are names for the same transit document. Once the T1 movement has ended, an import declaration usually follows.
We know import procedures can seem complicated and time-consuming, but we are here to help you at every stage. This guide explains how to end a T1 movement in Sweden with a Swedish import declaration smoothly and efficiently. First, some background on T1.
What is a T1 document?
A T1 document is a transit document used to transport non-Union goods through EU countries without paying customs duty and other charges at each border. Its purpose is to facilitate international trade by allowing goods to move between customs offices until they reach their final destination, where they are either imported or exported onwards.
A T1 document contains important information about the goods being transported, including:
- Consignor and consignee: Information about the goods’ origin and destination.
- Description of the goods: A detailed description of the goods being transported.
- Commodity code: Classification of the goods under the customs tariff.
- Means of transport: How the goods are transported, for example by lorry, train or ship.
- Gross mass and packages: The weight of the goods in kilograms, plus the kind and number of packages.
The T1 document forms part of NCTS (New Computerised Transit System), which allows transit movements to be processed and monitored electronically.
Arrival of the goods
When your goods arrive at the Swedish border, they are still under the transit procedure started with the T1 document. The first step is to present the goods at a designated customs office. This ensures that all documents are in order and that the goods can be inspected correctly.
Presenting the T1 document
At the customs office, you must present the T1 document together with the other relevant transport documents. This allows the customs authorities to verify that the goods being transported match the information in the T1 document. It may feel bureaucratic, but it is an important step towards a smooth import.
Customs checks
When Swedish Customs receives your documents, it checks them to ensure they match the information in the T1 document. Customs officers may also inspect the goods.
Submitting an import declaration
The next step is to submit your Swedish import declaration. This can be done electronically through Swedish Customs, or we can help you to make it straightforward. The import declaration should contain detailed information about the goods, such as their value, origin and other relevant details. Here is what is needed for an import declaration:
Description of the goods
- Commodity code (TARIC code): The correct code under the customs tariff.
- Value of the goods: Their customs value, including transport and insurance costs up to the first point of entry into the EU.
- Country of origin: The country where the goods were manufactured or processed.
- Quantity: The number of units or the weight of the goods.
- Transport documents: For example, consignment notes or bills of lading.
Customs value information
Where the customs value of a consignment exceeds SEK 231,666, the equivalent of EUR 20,000, you may have to provide additional information about the customs value of the goods. The threshold has applied since 1 January 2024 and is calculated on the customs value of the whole consignment. You provide the information directly in the import declaration. There is no longer a separate document.
This is how you provide it. You enter the information in the import declaration’s data elements 14 04 000 000 for additions and deductions, 14 07 000 000 for valuation indicators and 14 10 000 000 for the valuation method.
The supporting documents, that is the invoice, freight documents, insurance certificate and receipts for other costs such as packing and handling, are not submitted. But you must be able to produce them if Swedish Customs asks.
The information may be omitted where, among other things, the consignment’s customs value does not exceed SEK 231,666, on non-commercial imports, and on continuous flows of goods from the same seller to the same buyer where it has been provided at least once before.
Tullify can help you provide the customs value information correctly and ensure everything is complete and accurate.
Ending the T1 movement
The transit movement is completed once the goods and the required information are held by the customs office of destination. In practice that happens when the arrival has been notified in NCTS, Swedish Customs has given permission to unload and the unloading results have been submitted. The office of destination then sends a control result to the office of departure, which discharges the movement and releases the guarantee. The import declaration is a separate step afterwards and does not itself end a transit movement.
Payment of customs duty and taxes
After the T1 movement has ended, you are responsible for paying any applicable customs duty, VAT and other taxes. The goods are released once the customs debt is either paid or covered by a guarantee. If the business holds an authorisation for deferred payment and a comprehensive guarantee, the goods are released immediately and you pay afterwards against a customs bill with roughly 30 days’ credit. Without deferred payment you pay the charges in connection with the declaration. Tullify can help you understand and calculate the charges so that everything runs smoothly.
If the business is registered for VAT, you account for import VAT to the Swedish Tax Agency in your VAT return, not to Swedish Customs.
Release of the goods
Once the import declaration has been approved and the customs debt is paid or covered by a guarantee, Swedish Customs releases your goods. For businesses with deferred payment the release happens before payment, and the charges then appear on the customs bill. This is the final step in the import process, when the goods can finally be used or distributed onwards.
NCTS: the New Computerised Transit System
NCTS (New Computerised Transit System) is the electronic system for transit within the EU and in the countries party to the Convention on a common transit procedure. Besides the EU Member States those are Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, TĂĽrkiye, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Sweden moved to NCTS phase 6 on 27 February 2026. The system allows you to:
- Submit and process transit declarations electronically.
- Track the movement of goods in real time.
- Report any discrepancies during transport quickly and easily.
Using NCTS can reduce paperwork and speed up the entire transit process. Tullify is familiar with NCTS and can help you make full use of the system.
Documentation
It is important to retain all documentation relating to the import process, including the T1 document, the import declaration and all communication with the customs authorities. These documents are valuable for future reference and any audits. Tullify helps you keep them organised and accessible. Our aim is to make importing as simple and stress-free as possible. We know that every stage can feel overwhelming, but with our help you can be confident that everything is handled correctly. If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact us. We are here to help.
Read on
What a T1 document is is explained on our page about the T1 document.
Once the transit has ended, an import declaration is lodged.
More guides are collected in our customs guides.
