The law comes into effect on July 1, so if you ordered something earlier and it does not arrive before then, the fee will be added, says Maria Wiezell, an expert in consumer law at Swedish Consumers.
The new rules cover goods worth up to 150 euros. The fee is 3 euros, approximately 33 kronor, but the total cost may be higher.
For example, if I buy both a sweater and a pair of shoes (in the same package), i.e. two different types of goods, the fee will be twice as much.
Even though it will now be more expensive for Swedes to shop, Wiezell thinks the new rules are good.
"Because we have received so many small packages primarily from Asian countries with products that do not meet our safety and chemical requirements, I think it is important that something is done to limit unnecessary trade," she says.
"Expensive to regret"
Swedish Customs will not refund the fee when a consumer returns a product that is faultless, the authority writes on its website.
This could reduce "sloppy orders," says Wiezell.
It's expensive to regret it. Now you have to think a little before placing an order.
The new fee applies to all goods shipped from countries outside the EU.
"We order a lot from the US. It could be small electronics and things like that," says Wiezell.
Consumer responsibility
It is up to the consumer to keep track of where the goods are shipped from.
If you order from a European site, but they ship from the US or Asia, then there will also be a customs fee.
The fee is therefore not based on which website you order from, but rather on which country the goods are shipped from.
Unfortunately, we often see that consumers believe they are buying from a Swedish company, but then the goods are shipped from, for example, China.
In December last year, EU finance ministers agreed on the new fee, with the aim of countering the flow of cheap imported goods from Chinese e-commerce companies such as Shein and Temu.
As of July 1, a customs fee of 3 euros will be introduced when you order an item worth up to 150 euros. This applies when you shop online and the item is shipped from a country outside the EU.
If the online store is not connected to IOSS (Import One Stop Shop), you are the one who must pay customs duties and VAT when the goods are brought into Sweden.
If your goods arrive in the EU and are declared for import after June 30, a customs fee will be charged, regardless of when you placed your order.
Source: Swedish Customs
