How Much Does It Cost to Ship Cargo to Sweden!
Shipping to Sweden can come with various costs that need to be considered. Understanding the expenses involved in shipping to Sweden is essential for effective budgeting and planning. As a major economy and global trading hub, Sweden is a key export destination for businesses worldwide. However, international shipping costs can make or break a profitable venture when expanding into Swedish markets.
In this blog post, we will explore the cost factors associated with shipping to Sweden and provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions. In addition, we shall also break down all the fees and factors determining how much is shipping to Sweden so you can plan accordingly.
Cost of shipping to Sweden from USA
Exploring new opportunities in the land of IKEA, ABBA, and Viking lore? Whether you’re relocating households or shipping product cargo from America to Sweden, understanding freight transportation expenses is crucial. We’re dishing out the full scoop on how much you can expect to pay (and pro tips for smart saving!)
Estimated cost of household goods shipping to Sweden
Moving the entire home across the Atlantic? For that lovely Swedish “lagom” minimalist life? Ocean freight shipping scores major affordability points compared to air:
- 20ft Container Shipped to Sweden: Roughly $2,000-$3,500 from the U.S. East Coast.
- 40ft Container Shipped to Sweden: Around $3,500-$6,000 from the West Coast.
Estimated cost of car shipping to Sweden
Exporting your trusty SUV or collector’s car calls for specialized RORO (roll-on, roll-off) services. Vehicles are securely lashed down in dedicated RORO ships for safe transit:
- Standard Truck/Car Shipped to Sweden: Estimated $1,500-$2,800.
- Heavy Trucks/Machinery Shipped to Sweden: $3,000-$8,000 per unit.
Many RORO routes connect directly to the Ports of Gothenburg or Stockholm – ideal gateways for Scandinavian overland trucking.
Estimated cost of ocean freight rates to Sweden from USA
For most commercial shipments, ocean freight is the most economical transportation mode when shipping to Sweden. Ocean freight rates fluctuate based on supply and demand but here are current average ranges for shipping a container:
- 20ft Container (Sweden East Coast Ports):
– From East Coast USA: $2,500 – $3,800
– From West Coast USA: $4,000 – $6,500 - 40ft Container (Sweden East Coast Ports):
– From East Coast USA: $3,800 – $5,500
– From West Coast USA: $5,800 – $8,500
Ports like Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Malmo handle the bulk of ocean freight into Sweden from major international shipping lanes.
10 top ports for shipping to and from Sweden
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The Port of Gothenburg:
Situated on the western coast of Sweden, is the largest port in the country and one of the largest in Scandinavia. It plays a crucial role in handling various types of cargo, such as containers, bulk goods, and Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) traffic.
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Port of Stockholm:
Located on the eastern coast of Sweden, serves as the country’s largest passenger port and a significant hub for cargo traffic. It provides excellent facilities for container handling, bulk cargo, and ferry services to destinations in the Baltic Sea region.
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Port of Malmö:
Moving south, the Port of Malmö serves as a vital gateway for trade with Europe and beyond. It specializes in container handling, RoRo traffic, and ferry services, acting as a crucial link between Sweden and continental Europe.
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Port of Helsingborg:
Similarly, the Port of Helsingborg, situated in southern Sweden, is one of the busiest ports in the country for ferry services. It connects Sweden with Denmark across the Öresund Strait and also handles container traffic, bulk goods, and cruise ships.
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Port of Gävle
Heading back to the east coast, the Port of Gävle is a major hub for container traffic, forest products, and bulk cargo. With its modern facilities and excellent rail connections, it serves as a strategic logistics center in the region.
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Port of Norrköping:
Further along the east coast, the Port of Norrköping plays a key role as a hub for container handling, bulk cargo, and RoRo traffic. It acts as an important gateway for trade with the Baltic Sea region and beyond.
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Port of Karlshamn:
In southern Sweden, the Port of Karlshamn is a versatile port that handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, bulk goods, and liquid bulk. It offers top-notch infrastructure and logistics services for shipping companies.
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Port of Sundsvall:
Located on the east coast of Sweden, is a vital hub for forestry products, bulk cargo, and container traffic. It serves as a major export gateway for timber and paper products from northern Sweden.
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The Port of Luleå:
Situated in the northern part of Sweden, serves as a crucial center for handling various types of bulk cargo such as iron ore, steel, and forestry products. With its ice-free conditions throughout the year, it plays a significant role in facilitating trade with the Arctic region.
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Port of Halmstad:
On the other hand, the Port of Halmstad, located on the western coast of Sweden, is a versatile port that efficiently manages container traffic, bulk goods, and RoRo traffic. It serves as a vital logistics hub for the southwestern region of Sweden and boasts excellent transportation connections.
Estimated cost of less than container load (LCL) rates to Sweden from USA
For smaller shipments, LCL allows you to ship a portion of a container at a lower rate than FCL. Freight forwarders calculate LCL charges based on:
- Cargo volume (per CBM)
- Weight (per kg)
- Container stuffing/unstuffing
- Port handling fees
Full Container Load (FCL) Ocean: $3,000-$8,000 based on container size.
Less Container Load (LCL) Ocean: $75-$350 per cubic meter.
Air Freight Shipping: $2-$5 per kg depending on total weight.
Estimated cost of air freight rates to Sweden from USA
Need your cargo to reach Sweden quicker than ocean transit times? Air freight offers the speed you need but at a higher price tag. Shipment weight is the primary cost factor, with rates for basic air cargo averaging:
– $3-$5 per kg for shipments under 300 kg
– $2-$3 per kg for shipments over 300 kg
Sea-Air or Air-Truck services combining air/ocean can yield slightly lower costs compared to air freight alone.
How much does it cost to ship by air from UK to Sweden?
When speed and reliability are priorities, air freight provides the quickest shipping solution for moving cargo between the United Kingdom and Sweden. However, the cost of air shipping tends to be higher than surface freight transportation.
There are a few main factors that influence air freight rates from the UK to Sweden:
Weight of shipment
The billable weight is the primary driver of air cargo pricing. Heavier shipments simply cost more per kilo to transport. Typical rate ranges are:
- £2.50 – £4.00 per kg for shipments under 300 kg
- £2.00 – £3.50 per kg for shipments over 300 kg
Volume/Density
While weight is paramount, the volume and density of a shipment also comes into play for air freight pricing. Packages with lower density (more air space) may be rated higher by dimension rather than actual weight.
Type of air service
The chosen air freight service level and speed also affect costs:
- Express/Courier (1-3 days) – Higher rates but fastest transit
- Priority Freight (2-4 days) – Economical for time-sensitive freight
- General Air Cargo (4-7 days) – Most affordable deferred service
Airport-to-Airport
Air freight rates are calculated based on the airport pairs, either London to Stockholm or other gateways like Manchester to Gothenburg. Fees like security screening and airline terminal charges can vary between airports.
Other potential fees beyond the basic air freight rate, shippers may need to account for charges like:
- Fuel surcharges!
- Customs clearance fees!
- Special handling for oversized/dangerous goods!
- Pickup/Delivery to/from airports!
As an example, a 100kg general air cargo shipment from London to Stockholm may cost around £200-£300 plus destination fees. Rates can be even higher during peak periods.
10 top airport gateways for air freight shipping to and from Sweden
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Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN):
Sweden’s largest and busiest airport, Stockholm Arlanda Airport is situated near Stockholm. It serves as a major hub for both passenger and cargo flights, providing extensive air freight services to destinations worldwide.
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Gothenburg Landvatter Airport (GOT):
The second-largest airport in Sweden, Gothenburg Landvatter Airport is located near Gothenburg. It serves as a crucial gateway for air freight shipments, offering connections to major cities in Europe and beyond.
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Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) –
Although smaller in size compared to Arlanda Airport, Bromma Airport is an important hub for domestic air freight shipments within Sweden. It provides convenient access to the capital city of Stockholm and surrounding regions.
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Malmö Airport (MMX):
Situated in southern Sweden, Malmö Airport serves as a strategic gateway for air freight shipments to and from Scandinavia. It provides connections to various European destinations and handles a significant volume of cargo traffic.
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Göteborg City Airport (GSE):
Formerly known as Gothenburg City Airport, GSE primarily caters to regional and domestic flights within Sweden. It plays a vital role in facilitating air freight shipments to and from the Gothenburg region.
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Luleå Airport (LLA):
Situated in the northern part of Sweden, Luleå Airport plays a crucial role as a primary access point for air freight shipments, specifically for industries like mining, forestry, and manufacturing in the Arctic area. It provides links to both domestic and international destinations.
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Umeå Airport (UME):
Located in the northern region of Sweden, Umeå Airport serves as a significant hub for air freight shipments catering to the northern parts of the country. It facilitates connections to major cities within Sweden and Europe.
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Kiruna Airport (KRN):
Positioned in the far north of Sweden, Kiruna Airport serves as a vital gateway for air freight shipments to remote areas and mining regions. It offers connections to domestic destinations and a limited number of international flights.
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Norrköping Airport (NRK):
Situated in the southeastern part of Sweden, Norrköping Airport is a regional airport that handles a moderate volume of air freight shipments. It serves as a convenient access point for cargo transportation to and from the Östergötland region.
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Östersund Airport (OSD):
Situated in central Sweden, Östersund Airport serves as a crucial hub for air freight shipments to the northern and central regions of the country. It provides connections to domestic destinations and a limited number of international flights.
Major European airport gateways for Sweden:
- Copenhagen Airport (CPH) – Main regional cargo hub for Scandinavia
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) – A major freight gateway for cargo to/from Sweden
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) – Connects Sweden to global freight network
- London Heathrow (LHR) – Air cargo hub handling freight from/to UK and Sweden
- Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) – Freight gateway between France and Sweden
North American airport gateways for Sweden:
- JFK, Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD) – Main USA gateways to Sweden
- Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – Air cargo hub connecting Canada and Sweden
Additional cost for shipping to Sweden
Once your cargo reaches Sweden, there are additional expenses involved:
- Destination port charges: terminal handling, wharfage, etc.
- Customs duties and taxes: typically, around 5% but higher for certain goods
- Inland trucking/delivery fees
- VAT standard rate of 25%
Tips for affordable shipping to Sweden
To keep shipping costs to Sweden down, consider:
- Securing export cargo insurance.
- Negotiating bulk rates with freight forwarders.
- Routing optimization to use closest US departure port.
- Exploring multimodal options like ocean freight to Rotterdam then truck to Sweden.
Customs Procedure for Shipping to Sweden
When sending shipments to Sweden, it is crucial to have an understanding of the customs fees, import duties, and taxes that may be imposed. Here is a detailed summary of what to anticipate regarding customs clearance charges, import taxes, VAT, and duty rates in Sweden.
Sweden customs clearance charges:
The customs clearance charges in Sweden are typically linked to the process of clearing goods through customs upon their arrival in the country. These charges can differ based on the shipping method, the value of the goods, and the complexity of the customs declaration.
Importers might face charges for services like document processing, customs inspection, and administrative tasks associated with customs clearance. It is recommended to collaborate with a reputable customs broker or shipping agent to efficiently navigate the customs clearance process and reduce potential charges.
Import taxes and VAT for shipping to Sweden:
Import taxes and value-added tax (VAT) are imposed on goods imported into Sweden from outside the European Union (EU). The applicable import taxes and VAT rates vary depending on the nature of the goods and their declared value.
Import taxes in Sweden could encompass customs duties, excise duties (for specific goods like alcohol and tobacco), and other miscellaneous charges.
These taxes are calculated based on the customs value of the goods, which includes the item’s cost, shipping fees, and insurance. VAT is levied on the total value of the goods, incorporating customs duties and any relevant taxes. The standard VAT rate in Sweden stands at 25%, although reduced rates may be applicable to certain goods and services.
Duty rates on goods shipped to Sweden:
The duty rate applied is determined by the specific item’s tariff classification. Duty rates for various imports to Sweden are as follows:
1. Clothing/Textiles: 12%
2. Footwear: 16.8%
3. Furniture: 0%
4. Toys: 0%
5. Machinery/Equipment: 0-2.7%
6. Vehicles: 10%
7. Alcoholic Beverages: 19-33 SEK/liter + percentage of value
Importers can reduce costs by ensuring accurate product descriptions and HS classification on commercial invoices and import documentation.
Proper planning for customs fees, import VAT, and duty expenses in advance can facilitate a seamless customs clearance process when importing goods into Sweden from abroad.