Åland, located in the Baltic Sea, is an autonomous region of Finland, but it has a special status within the European Union (EU). Although Åland is part of the EU customs union, it is exempt from the EU fiscal area. This means that imports from Åland are slightly different from imports from other EU countries, and it is important to understand the rules in order to handle imports correctly and efficiently.
What does Åland's special status mean for your imports?
Åland is within the EU customs union, which means that you do not have to pay customs duties on goods imported into Sweden from Åland. What makes Åland unique, however, is that the area is not part of the EU tax area. This means that VAT must be paid on goods imported from Åland to Sweden, just as if the goods came from a country outside the EU. This may come as a surprise to some, but with the right information you can plan and prepare your import smoothly.
The import process from Åland step by step - how does it work in practice?
1. The importance of having a customs agent
Having an agent handle the customs declaration for you is crucial to ensuring that everything goes smoothly. At Tullify we specialize in helping companies with their customs declarations and we ensure that the entire process is handled professionally and without any problems. Once the goods are ready in Grisslehamn, we take care of the communication with the Customs, so you can focus on your business.
2. Customs declaration in Grisslehamn
When you import goods from Åland to Sweden via sea transport, it is common for the goods to arrive at Grisslehamn, which is a central point for this type of transport. In Grisslehamn, the goods must be declared to customs before they can be brought into Sweden. This means that you, or your customs agent, must submit a customs declaration to the Swedish Customs. In order for the process to run smoothly, it is important that the agent also informs the Swedish Customs that the goods are ready for clearance.
3. Documents and preparations
Before your goods arrive in Sweden, it is important that all documents are in order. The customs declaration must be completed correctly and contain information about the origin, value and HS code of the goods. The HS code (or customs tariff number) is crucial as it affects the type of VAT you will have to pay. At Tullify, we help you ensure that all information is correct and that the documents meet Swedish and international customs requirements.
VAT on goods from Åland
As mentioned earlier, Åland is exempt from the EU tax area. This means that even though you do not have to pay customs duties on goods from Åland, you are still required to pay VAT when the goods are brought into Sweden. The VAT rate that applies depends on the type of goods you are importing, and it is important to keep this in mind when planning your import. We at Tullify will help you calculate the correct VAT amount and ensure that everything is handled correctly according to the applicable rules.
Why is it important to understand the difference between the customs union and the tax area?
Many entrepreneurs may think that since Åland is within the EU customs union, the same rules apply as for other EU countries, but this is not entirely true. The biggest difference is that even if customs duties are not added, VAT must still be paid. This special status may seem complicated, but with the right partner by your side, like Tullify, you can be sure that the entire process is handled correctly and according to the rules.
How can Tullify help you with imports from Åland?
At Tullify we work to make the entire import process as simple and hassle-free as possible. With our long experience in customs handling and our deep knowledge of import and export between Åland and Sweden, we are well equipped to help you through every step of the process. We handle everything from customs declarations to contact with the Swedish Customs and ensure that your goods are released through customs quickly and smoothly.
By using us as your customs agent, you ensure that all documents are completed correctly, that customs declarations are submitted on time, and that all VAT issues are handled without problems.
