Searches on and of the body
We carry out a body search or a cursory body inspection when there is reason to believe that there are items in your clothes or on your body that can be seized.
Role of Swedish Customs
Swedish Customs is responsible for combating smuggling of, among other things, drugs that are prohibited from being brought into Sweden, and for checking drugs that are subject to import conditions (known as restricted or prohibited goods). Narcotics, hormone preparations (doping agents), other goods dangerous to health, and medications are examples of goods that may not be brought into Sweden indiscriminately. They are also examples of goods that are sometimes smuggled in or on the body, by so-called body smugglers.
There are different types of checks on and of the body, and of the clothes a person is wearing.
Body search
A body search is an inspection of the clothes a person is wearing. The purpose of conducting a body search is that there is reason to believe that there may be items in the clothing that should be confiscated. A body search may be conducted at any time during a customs inspection and, if it is of a more substantial nature, shall be conducted indoors in a separate room or in a suitable space.
External body search
A strip search is an inspection of the naked body. The customs official shall not touch the naked body. The purpose of conducting a superficial body search is that there is reason to believe that there are objects on the naked body that can be seized. A superficial body search may be carried out at any time during a customs inspection, and should preferably be carried out indoors in a private room or in an appropriate space.
The customs officer also has the authority to take a urine sample if the sample can be assumed to be relevant to suspected drug smuggling and the individual agrees to provide the sample.
Body inspection
A body inspection is the most comprehensive examination of the body. During a body inspection, X-rays are taken or examinations are carried out, for example, inside the mouth or other cavities in the body. A decision by a public prosecutor is required in order to carry out a body inspection on a person. The body inspection referred to here is one that is carried out when we suspect body smuggling.
A body search is always carried out by a doctor, and never by a customs official.
Security search
The purpose of conducting a security search on a person is to search for dangerous objects for safety reasons, for example prior to a customs inspection, during detention or during questioning.
Role of other authorities
To carry out a body search, i.e., to X-ray or examine cavities on the body, on a person requires an order from a public prosecutor.
Applicable provisions
The powers of customs officers to decide on body searches, external body searches, urine sampling, etc. can be found in Chapter 7 Sections 1 and 2 of the tullbefogenhetslag (2024:710).
Tullbefogenhetslag (in Swedish)
Powers relating to body inspections are found in Chapter 8 Section 20 of the tullbefogenhetslag (2024:710) and Chapter 28 Section 11 and 12 of the rättegångsbalk (1942:740).