Free trade leading to relief from customs duty

When importing goods to Sweden you may enjoy relief from customs duty, thanks to the free trade agreements, unilateral preferential arrangements and customs union agreements, which the EU has entered with numerous states.

Free trade agreements

EU free trade agreements ensure that goods meeting the criteria for preferential origin are given preferential status, both when you import them to the EU and when the party to the treaty imports them.

View a list of countries with which the EU has free trade agreements and learn more about the treaties. (in Swedish)

Unilateral preferential measures

The EU has also decided to introduce unilateral preferential measures towards some countries or groups of countries. Examples of unilateral preferential measures include the General Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for developing countries.

The GSP ensures that goods originating in any GSP beneficiary country is given preferential treatment when imported to the EU. However, goods originating in the EU are not given preference when exported to GSP beneficiary countries.

The General Scheme of Preferences.

Customs union agreements

The EU has entered into Customs Union agreements with Turkey, Andorra and San Marino, whereby preferential status is given to goods imported to the EU, as well as goods exported to the treaty party. Goods that fall within the scope of a Customs Union agreement are not given certificates of origin, but a certificate of free circulation.

When importing goods from Turkey that you intend to forward to a free trade party with a certificate of origin, you will need a supplier statement that verifies the origin of your goods.

Supplier statements.

A certificate is needed

To be eligible for preferential treatment, you need to verify the origin of your goods with a certificate of origin or a certificate of free circulation in the Customs Union.
The required type of certificate depends, among other things, on which treaty applies. The amount also affects the kind of certificate of origin that can be used. Different provisions apply to each country.

Provisions and certificates of origin for different countries and areas. (in Swedish)

Certificates for preferential treatment.

Request preferential treatment in your customs declaration

Request preferential treatment directly in your customs declaration using the following steps:

Field 36 – enter a preference code for the applicable treaty.

Field 44 – enter document codes for any certificates upon which the declaration is based.

Find codes in Tulltaxan (Tariq).

Additional information

Preferential treatment in Tulltaxan (TARIQ)

Common codes for preferential treatment

Preferential treatment when returning goods originating in the EU