Dietary supplements
When you want ot bring dietary supplements to Sweden for personal use, you first need to identify their product classification to know which rules apply. Special rules may apply and fees may be charged.
If you buy a dietary supplement in another country, you need to be aware of and check whether it is classified as a food or a medicine in Sweden. Different rules apply depending on the type of product. If the rules for the product are not met, Swedish Customs may stop it from entering the country.
Dietary supplements – food or medicine?
It can be difficult to know whether your product is a food supplement (i.e. a foodstuff) or a medicine. A dietary supplement is a food product intended to supplement a normal diet and is subject to any legislation that applies to foodstuffs. If the product claims to prevent or treat illness, it is classified as a medicine, and special rules apply to ordering or bringing the product into Sweden.
Make sure that you inspect the commodity description on both the goods and the packaging. If you are uncertain about whether your goods are dietary supplements or medicinal products, please contact the Medical Products Agency prior to ordering the goods.
What is a medicinal product? – Swedish Medical Products Agency
Special rules for dietary supplements
If you buy a dietary supplement from another EU country, you do not have to pay customs duty, VAT and any other taxes on the dietary supplement.
Duties when importing dietary supplements
If you purchase dietary supplements from another country, you may incur additional fees in the form of customs duties, VAT and other taxes.
Dietary supplements from an EU Member state
When purchasing dietary supplements from another EU country, you do not need to pay customs duties, VAT or other taxes.
Dietary supplements from third countries
If you order the dietary supplement online from a country outside the EU, you will always pay VAT and, in some cases, both customs duty and VAT.
Buying dietary supplements online
In some cases, if you purchase the dietary supplement on your trip from a country outside the EU, you will not have to pay any duties. The same rules apply as for any other goods you bring home from your trip.