Buying from companies based outside the EU

What fees may apply?

When you make a purchase, information about the price, taxes and fees must be displayed. Bear in mind that it is important to read the terms and conditions before making a purchase.

Customs duty and VAT

You are obliged to pay customs duty and VAT on goods that you order from a country outside the EU, for example China. The amount of customs duty varies for different goods, depending upon declared value of the goods and what classification the goods falls into. This is usually a percentage calculated on the goods plus the cost of shipping and any shipping insurance. The basic rule is that you must are obligated to pay customs duty if the declared value of the goods exceeds SEK 1,600.

You are always required to pay VAT. For most goods, the VAT rate is 25%. When you order goods from certain online stores, you already pay the VAT at the time of purchase. 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)

Consumer rights when purchasing items from outside the EU 

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 whitdrawal

Further information about lodging complaint against a defective product

Statutes and regulations differ between countries 

If the statutes and 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. When you are shopping online the terms and conditions for your purchase must be available on the company’s website. 

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.

Complaints or asserting warranty rights with purchases from companies outside the EU 

If you have a problem with something you have purchased, you should always start by contacting the company you have purchased it from to raise your concerns and attempt to reach a resolution. It is advisable to send an e-mail, for example.

Save the documentation 

It’s advisable to retain copies of the written communications with the company, such as e-mails and screenshots of chat history or contact forms. This is important if later on you need to present evidence that you have sought to enforce a warranty right or otherwise lodged a complaint, and when. It can also be useful to have documentary evidence of what you and the company have agreed upon to resolve the situation. Without such documentation, it may be difficult for you to prove your case in the event of submitting a complaint to a government agency or filing a lawsuit. 

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. 

Further information is available on the National Board for Consumer Disputes 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

Purchasing from companies in the North America

If you have purchased something online 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 

If you want to complain about a product you have purchased in the North America, you should first contact the company directly. If you do not reach an agreement with the company, you can turn to the Better Business Bureau. Note that only companies which are members of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are obligated to accept the BBB as a mediator and dispute resolution service. In other situations, it is entirely up to the company.

Counterfeit goods, pirated goods, and restricted items 

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 

Assistance may be elusive when shopping at a merchant outside the EU  

You may encounter difficulties in obtaining assistance if you encounter problems after buying from a merchant in a country outside the EU. 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 

Purchases from the UK after Brexit 

The UK’s withdrawal from the EU has culminated in an agreement that became effective as of 1 January 2021. Broadly speaking, the parties have agreed to maintain a high level of consumer protection and for regulators and other public authorities on both sides to continue to work together. 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 1,600, 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. It is unclear for how long this possibility will exist. 

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