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Importing a car to Sweden

Importing a car to Sweden requires the right documents, the right order and keeping track of the applicable fees. If you buy the car from a country outside the EU, the car must be registered with the Swedish Customs and you will normally pay customs duty and VAT. If you buy the car from another EU country, you will normally pay no customs duty, but Swedish VAT must be paid if the car is considered new.

Many people make mistakes right from the start. The most common problems are that important documents are missing, that costs are calculated incorrectly or that the process at Customs and the Swedish Transport Agency is done in the wrong order. With the right documentation from the start, car imports will be much smoother.

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How to import a car

Importing a car is basically about following the right steps from start to finish.

  • buy the car and collect the correct documents

  • arrange transport to Sweden

  • Report the car to Customs if it comes from a country outside the EU.

  • pay customs duties and VAT when required

  • Apply for origin control from the Swedish Transport Agency.

  • book a registration inspection

  • take out motor vehicle insurance before using the car on the road

Once the origin check is approved and the car has passed the registration inspection, the car can be registered in Sweden and receive Swedish registration plates.

What documents are needed when importing a car?

When importing a car, documentation is crucial. Without the correct documentation, both customs processing and registration can take a long time.

You usually need the following:

  • purchase invoice

  • deed of sale

  • receipt or other document proving the car's value

  • original foreign registration certificate

  • Original CoC if the vehicle is new and covered by whole vehicle approval

  • motor insurance certificate if you are also applying for temporary registration

If the vehicle has been registered in the country of origin, the original registration certificate must be submitted. If the vehicle is new, an original CoC or manufacturer's certificate may be required instead, depending on the vehicle type and documentation.

Importing a car from the EU

If you are going inImporting a car from an EU country the process is often simpler. You normally do not pay any customs duty. However, Swedish VAT is applicable if the car is considered new. A vehicle is considered new if it has been driven less than 6000 km or has been in traffic for less than 6 months. It is sufficient that one of these requirements is met.

This means that a car from, for example, Germany can often be imported without duty, but that you still have to check whether Swedish VAT is payable. If the car is used according to the rules above, Swedish VAT is usually not applicable for private purchases within the EU.

Importing a car from a country outside the EU

If you are importing a car from Norway, the USA, Japan or another country outside the EU, the car must be reported to the Swedish Customs. You will then need to present, among other things, the invoice, purchase receipt, documentation proving the value and the foreign registration certificate.

For passenger cars, the customs duty is 10 percent and the VAT is 25 percent. The customs duty is calculated on the purchase price, shipping, insurance and handling costs up to the EU border. The VAT is then calculated on this entire basis, including the customs duty.

Origin control and registration

An important step when importing a car is the origin check at the Swedish Transport Agency. This includes checking the vehicle's identity and the documents that belong to the car. The application is made via e-service or form, and if the vehicle was registered outside Sweden, the original foreign registration certificate must be attached.

The fee for the origin inspection is SEK 1,240. After passing the origin inspection, you proceed to the registration inspection. The price for the registration inspection itself varies depending on the vehicle, model year, country of origin and inspection company.

How much does it cost to import a car?

The total cost depends on where the car is purchased, how it is transported, and whether customs and VAT are payable. Therefore, it is better to calculate the entire transaction than just looking at the car's purchase price.

Common costs are:

  • purchase price

  • transport

  • customs duties on imports from countries outside the EU

  • VAT when the regulations require it

  • origin control

  • registration inspection

  • insurance

  • any adaptations for Swedish requirements

The cost that is always easy to miss is the origin check. It is mandatory and costs SEK 1,240. There is no fixed standard price for registration inspection as the price varies between different operators and vehicles.

Import car from Germany

Germany is one of the most common countries for importing cars to Sweden. The big advantage is that the country is within the EU, which makes the process easier from a customs perspective. You normally don't pay any customs duty, but you still have to check whether the car is considered new according to VAT regulations.

For many, Germany is attractive due to its wide selection, clear documentation and good access to service history. This often makes it easier to assess both condition and the overall deal.

Import car from Norway

Importing a car from Norway is common, but many people make mistakes here because Norway is not a member of the EU. This means that the car must be registered with the Swedish Customs and that customs and VAT must normally be paid in the same way as other imports from countries outside the EU.

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FAQ – Importing Cars to Sweden

How does the car's environmental classification affect the import process to Sweden?

The car's environmental classification primarily affects which technical requirements are important when registering and what vehicle tax the car receives after it is registered in Sweden. The import itself still follows the same basic steps of origin control, registration inspection and the correct documentation.

For older cars, it is important to distinguish between a regular older car and a collector's vehicle. If the car meets the requirements for a collector's vehicle, i.e. at least 30 years old, in original condition and of a model that is no longer manufactured, it can in some cases be imported duty-free with 12 percent VAT. Registration in Sweden still requires an origin check and inspection.

It may be possible, but it depends on the type of car, its age and whether it can be approved at registration inspection or through individual approval. If the car does not meet the requirements for registration in Sweden, it may not be used as a regular road vehicle here.

Retrofitted parts can mean that the car is no longer considered standard. The inspection may then be more extensive, and in some cases the car may need to be tested through individual approval. Therefore, it is important to have documentation of both the parts and how they have been fitted.

There is no fixed official total time, as the process is affected by transport, customs clearance when necessary, processing at the Swedish Transport Agency and waiting time for registration inspection. Once the car has passed the registration inspection, the license plates are ordered, and they are normally sent within up to five working days.

Electric and hybrid cars follow the same import process as other cars. The main differences are taxation and technical requirements after registration, while customs, VAT, origin control and registration inspection are assessed according to the same main rules depending on whether the car comes from the EU or from a country outside the EU.

Yes, it is often cheaper to import from an EU country as you normally avoid customs duties and get a simpler process. Importing from a country outside the EU is often more expensive as customs duties and VAT are added in addition to transport and other fees.

The most important thing is that you can show the car's identity, ownership history and the correct original documents. If the registration certificate or other key documents are missing, the origin check may be stopped or delayed. The better documentation you have from the start, the smoother the process will be.

The fuel type does not normally affect the customs duty or VAT rate for a regular passenger car. However, the fuel type and emissions often affect the car's vehicle tax after it is registered in Sweden.

The import chain itself is largely the same for private individuals and companies. The big difference is the VAT reporting, as VAT-registered companies in some cases report import VAT via the Swedish Tax Agency and may have the right to deduct according to the VAT regulations.

Warranties do not automatically follow just because the car is imported. This issue is instead determined by the seller's terms and conditions, the manufacturer's warranty rules and whether the Swedish general agent accepts the warranty in Sweden. Therefore, check the warranty before purchasing, especially when importing from a country outside the EU.

The most important thing is the purchase document, invoice or receipt, foreign registration certificate and in some cases CoC or customs documents. If the car has been registered previously, the original documents are extra important so that the Swedish Transport Agency can approve the origin check and so that the car can then be inspected for registration.

Yes, but it can make registration more demanding. If the car no longer corresponds to a normal standard design, more documentation and in some cases individual approval may be required instead of a regular registration inspection.

Leased or rental cars can be more difficult to import if the importer does not have ownership rights. The leasing company must provide written approval for export, and the lease agreement must be terminated. For cars leased outside the EU, customs and VAT rules can become complicated since the importer is not the legal owner. The Swedish Transport Agency may also require additional documentation to confirm there are no outstanding debts or issues related to the car.

Yes, cars intended for private areas can be registered without meeting all public road traffic requirements. This applies to race cars or utility vehicles for private land use. However, an origin check and customs clearance are still required. Such vehicles cannot be driven on public roads without special permits, and insurance coverage may be limited. Basic technical requirements, such as functioning brakes and lights, may still apply.

Race cars can be imported without having to meet all the usual road traffic requirements. However, they must be registered as racing vehicles and cannot be used on public roads. Certificates from racing associations or organizers may be required to confirm the car's intended use. Customs duties and VAT still apply to race cars, but they are exempt from certain safety and environmental requirements applicable to road vehicles.
Yes, it is possible to claim a VAT refund if the car is re-exported within a specific timeframe and proper documentation is provided. You need to prove that the car has left Sweden, typically through export declarations and transport documents. Swedish Customs (Tullverket) may require evidence of both the import and export transactions, as well as confirmation that the car has not been used permanently in Sweden. This option primarily applies to businesses that purchase cars for resale in other countries.

Since Brexit, the UK is treated as a non-EU country, meaning customs duties and VAT must be paid when importing cars. Customs duty is 10% of the car’s value, including transportation costs, and VAT is 25% of the total value. For used cars, proof that the vehicle previously met EU standards is required, which can complicate the process. Additionally, most UK cars are right-hand drive, which may require modifications to comply with Swedish driving conditions.

CE marking is not required for passenger vehicles but applies to certain vehicle components, such as electronics and accessories. Cars imported from EU countries are already manufactured to shared standards and do not require additional CE marking. However, for specific specialized vehicles or separately sold parts, CE marking may be necessary to ensure compliance with EU safety and environmental standards.
The main differences involve classification and taxation. Commercial vehicles like vans are taxed based on their intended use and weight rather than solely on emissions. They must also meet regulations for commercial use, which may include additional safety requirements. When importing commercial vehicles, businesses often handle the process, benefiting from VAT deductions and specific allowances. Adjustments such as the installation of alcohol locks may be necessary to comply with Swedish regulations for work-related vehicles.

These countries are treated as non-EU countries, meaning imports are subject to customs duties and VAT:

  • Customs duty: 10% of the car’s value, including transportation costs.
  • VAT: 25% of the car’s value, customs duty, and transport costs.
  • Customs declaration: Required at the border, along with purchase receipts, registration certificates, and other documents.
  • Origin check: Conducted by the Swedish Transport Agency to verify the car’s status.
  • Registration inspection: Necessary to ensure compliance with Swedish safety and environmental standards.

Andorra and San Marino, despite being located in Europe, are also considered non-EU countries, and the same rules apply to imports from these regions.

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