Buying from companies based outside the EU

Handla från företag utanför EU - Engelska

When you have ordered a product from a country outside the EU, it is regarded as a “private import.” This means that you are legally obligated to pay VAT. In addition there may be customs duties and other fees due. Furthermore, you do not have the same consumer protection as when you buy a product from a merchant based in another EU country.

Translated page: This text has been translated from Swedish. The text and appearance of the page may look different from the original page.

Short information about shopping from companies outside the EU

  • You are required to pay VAT on goods you order from countries outside the EU. In addition, you may need to pay customs duties and the shipping company’s fee for handling your package and customs declaration.

  • If you shop from a country outside the EU, you are not always protected by EU consumer legislation. However, if the company targets Swedish consumers, Swedish law usually applies.

  • If you have a dispute with a company outside the EU that targets Swedish consumers, the National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN) may possibly review your case.

  • Keep in mind that goods allowed for sale in other countries may be prohibited in Sweden, and that goods sold online may be counterfeit.

  • Consumer legislation in the United Kingdom is very similar to the EU’s, but you now need to pay VAT as well as customs duties for goods over 1,800 SEK.

Choose what you want to read more about

  • Information about the price, taxes, and fees must be clearly displayed at checkout before purchase. But always remember to read the terms and conditions before you decide.

    Customs and VAT

    You are required to pay VAT and, in some cases, customs duties on goods you order from a country outside the EU, such as China.

    VAT must always be paid. For most goods, VAT is 25 percent. When you order from certain online stores, you pay the VAT already at the time of purchase.

    The customs duty varies depending on the type of goods and their value. It is usually a percentage calculated on the item including shipping and any shipping insurance. The general rule is that you must pay customs duty if the item costs more than 1,800 SEK.

    Swedish Customs’ import duty calculator Tullräknaren helps you to calculate customs duties, VAT and other taxes and charges when you purchase from companies outside the EU. 

    Calculate the customs duty and other costs directly on the Swedish Customs website (In Swedish)

    The Transport Company’s Fee

    The transport company may charge a fee for handling your package and processing your customs declaration. If you want to know how they calculated the fee, you need to contact them.

  • If you have purchased something from a country outside the EU, you should be aware that you are not necessarily protected by EU consumer law.

    If the company is targeting Swedish consumers, normally Swedish law generally governs the transaction. Nevertheless it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a website is targeting consumers in Sweden. Some things that may make Swedish law apply are:

    • the website is in Swedish
    • you can pay in Swedish currency
    • there is a telephone number for the company that starts with +46
    • the letters after the last dot in the URL are se.
    If Swedish law applies

    If Swedish legislation applies, you may have the right to cancel your order. You also have the right to complain about the product if it is defective.

    Further information about the right of withdrawal

    Further information about lodging complaint against a defective product

    Regulations might differ between countries

    If the regulations of the country where the company is located apply, you may not have the same rights as if the company were located in an EU country. In such situations, try to determine the company’s specific policies and practices.

    It may also be wise to find out if there are any manufacturer warranties and if there is a company in Sweden or the EU that can assist you if an issue arises.

  • If you are going to purchase something from a company in the North America, you may want to check whether the company is listed in the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) online report. The Better Business Bureau is a trade association in the North America, and is dedicated to promoting good business ethics.

    The Better Business Bureau website

  • The UK is no longer in the EU. If you buy something from a company in the UK, you are therefore not automatically protected by consumer laws within the EU.

    For you as a consumer in Sweden, there are some things that can be useful to know:

    • If you purchase something online from a UK website targeting Swedish consumers (the website is in Swedish or the prices are stated in Swedish kronor), Swedish rules apply. This means that you have a 14-day cooling off period with a right of withdrawal and a 3-year statutory guarantee.
    • If you purchase from a UK website that is not targeted towards Swedish consumers, UK law applies. At present, UK legislation and regulations are very similar to those in Sweden, but it is advisable to ascertain what applies before you make a purchase.
    • When you purchase something from Britain you will need to pay import VAT on your goods.
    • If your purchase has a value of more than SEK 1,800, you may be obligated to pay customs duty. However, if the seller can certify that the product originated in the UK, you can avoid paying customs duty. You can find more information about this on the Swedish Customs website.

    Swedish Customs webpage about Brexit

    Need advice or assistance?

    The ECC office in the UK is no longer part of the ECC network. However, they are still able to deal with cases involving UK consumers and businesses, which means that Swedish consumers can still contact ECC Sweden for advice and possible mediation.

    If you have questions or concerns about purchases made from merchants in the UK, you can contact our information service.

    Contact us

    The Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) will also answer your questions about the EU and Brexit.

    The EU’s website

  • Some items that are illegal or otherwise prohibited to be sold in Sweden. may be legally sold in other countries. If you intend to import an item, verify that the item is legally permitted in Sweden.

    Keep in mind that goods sold online may be fakes. If the price of the product is unreasonably low, be particularly wary.

    For detailed information on counterfeit goods and other goods that are prohibited, you can contact the Swedish Customs Service, as they are the enforcement authority in this area.

    Further information about counterfeit and prohibited goods is available on the Swedish Customs website

  • If you experience problems with something you have purchased, you should always start by making a complaint and setting requirements with the company you bought it from. It’s a good idea to complain via e-mail, for example.

    Save documentation

    It’s advisable to keep all communication with the company, such as e-mails, screenshots of contact forms, and chat history. It’s important to be able to prove that you complained and when. It’s also useful to have evidence of what you and the company agreed upon. Without proof, it may be difficult for you to succeed in the event of a dispute with the company.

  • Can’t reach an agreement with the company? There may still be options available.

    If you paid by card or invoice

    Did you pay using some form of credit, such as a credit card or invoice? Then you are protected by the Consumer Credit Act and can make the same claims against your credit provider/bank as you would against the company.

    In that case, contact the credit provider and explain that you want to exercise your right of objection under the Consumer Credit Act.

    Compensation from your credit provider

    Did you pay with a debit card? Then the card’s terms and conditions determine what rights you have.

    Card Complaint

    If you have purchased something from Norway, Iceland or the UK

    If you have purchased something from a merchant in Norway, Iceland or the UK, you can contact ECC Sweden for legal advice and assistance. Note that ECC Sweden cannot assist you if you have a dispute with a company based outside the EU or these countries.

    You can contact ECC Sweden’s advisors by contacting our information service.

    Contact us

    Many consumer organisations around the world are affiliated with Consumers International. On their website, you can read about basic consumer rights and find a consumer organisation in the country where the company is located.

    Consumers International’s website

    ARN may be able to examine and assess your case

    If a company is targeting Swedish consumers, the Swedish National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN) may be able to investigate your case if you have complained to the company but have not been able to resolve the issue. It costs SEK 150 to file a complaint to ARN.

    Further information is available on the National Board for Consumer Disputes website

    Consumers International

    Many consumer organizations around the world are members of Consumers International. On their website, you can read about basic consumer rights and look for a consumer organization in the country where the company is located.

    Consumers International website

    Report to the econsumer.gov

    You can also draw attention to the problem by file a complaint via the website econsumer.gov. A report to econsumer.gov will not help you in your individual case, but can be used as a basis for future supervision. The service is the result of the international collaboration ICPEN and is not limited to Europe. Currently, around 30 countries participate and the service is available in several languages.

    Further information at econsumer.gov

Proofread: 3 November 2025