Tobacco online
Find out what rules apply when you order, for example, snus or cigarettes online, the rules differ depending on whether you are going to buy tobacco from a non-EU country or not.
18-year limit for ordering tobacco online
Ordering tobacco means any one of the following:
- ordering tobacco online
- not transporting (carrying) the tobacco yourself
- a friend or acquaintance brings tobacco to you from a trip.
From another EU country
From another EU country, you may order tobacco for your/your family’s private use. Here, “family” is those nearest to you and sharing the same household (e.g. partner, spouse or cohabitant). In this connection, Swedish Customs refers to a decision of the Skåne and Blekinge appeal court (case number B2328-04, 20 April 2006). In the absence of a ruling from Sweden’s supreme court, said decision is regarded as precedential.
Paying tobacco tax
You must pay Swedish tobacco tax when you order tobacco from another EU country: online; or, via a friend or acquaintance. If, before the tobacco is brought into Sweden, you have not paid the tobacco tax to the Swedish Tax Agency, Swedish Customs can seize the tobacco and initiate a tax investigation. When Swedish Customs seizes tobacco, it always contacts all consignees by letter.
From a country outside the EU
If you buy tobacco from a non-EU country, you must pay customs duty, VAT and tobacco tax.
Paying customs duty, VAT and tobacco tax
When you buy tobacco online from a non-EU country, VAT of 25% is always added. The customs duty varies depending on the type of tobacco.
- Cigarettes – customs duty 57.6 %
- Cigars – customs duty 26 %
- Smoking tobacco – customs duty 74.9 %
- Snuff –customs duty 16,6 %
- Chewing tobacco and olfactory snuff – customs duty 41.6 %
In addition to customs duties and VAT, you must also always pay tobacco tax. More information about tobacco tax can be found on the Swedish Tax Agency's website.
Excise duty rates on tobacco – Swedish tax agency
The company that transports the tobacco calculates the charges and sends you an invoice.
From another EU country | From a country outside the EU | |
|---|---|---|
How much tobacco may I order? | For your/your family’s private use. | For your/your family’s private use. |
Do I have to pay any charges on the tobacco? | Yes, you must pay Swedish tobacco tax. | Yes, you must pay customs duty, VAT and Swedish tobacco tax. |
Is the country a Member State?
If you are uncertain whether the country that you are trading with is a Member State, you can visit the website of the European Union and consult a list of Member States or search for a specific country.
Questions and answers
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