 Sweden : Formalities
As Sweden is now a member of the EU, yachts arriving from a Schengen country (i.e. all countries bordering the Baltic Sea with the exception of Russia)
do not have to notify customs on arrival in Sweden if there is nothing to declare, but yachts from other countries must report to customs, in a place which has a customs office, before stopping anywhere else.
If visiting Göta Ålv or going through the Göta Canal, report to the customs office before entering. Yachts may be intercepted by customs in the customs area for inspection.
Foreign nationals may only enter and leave Sweden at passport control points, or (if travelling to or from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway) via a frontier crossing point.
Customs offices are open 0800-1600 Monday to Friday. Outside those hours, captains must report by telephone to the nearest communications centre. The number is available from the harbour master.
For more information see the Coastguard website www.coastguard.se
Download the Yacht Entry form here.
Last updated November 2009.
Swedish Coast Guard Maritime Clearance
Box 145, SE - 871 23 Härnösand
Tel:+46 611 33 55 30, Fax:+46 611 201 90, VHF Channel 16: "Swedish Maritime Clearance"
www.coastguard.se, sweden24@coastguard.se
Sweden is a member of the Schengen Agreement Area. See Noonsite' Schengen page for more details on the immigration rules.
Last updated November 2009.
Firearms must be declared on arrival and may be retained until departure.
Medicines should be declared on arrival, and be accompanied by a prescription.
Goods which may not be imported freely must normally be presented for customs clearance, put into bond or taken out of the country again. In some cases the goods may be kept on board if a cash deposit is paid for the duty owing, which will be refunded if the goods are re-exported under customs supervision within three months. This does not apply to alcohol and tobacco, only the specified amounts of which can be kept on board, which are 1 litre of spirits, 5 litres of wine, 15 litres of beer and 300 cigarettes per person. Excess of this amount will be taken ashore and returned only on departure from Sweden.
Only vessels over 75 tons, bound for non-Nordic countries, may take on board duty-free tobacco and alcoholic products.
EU regulations apply concerning temporary importation. See EU VAT page for more information.
Last updated October 2008.
Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence.
One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence.
For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required.
To cruise outside Sweden, Swedish boats will need to register with the SVENSKA KRYSSARKLUBBEN See www.sxk.se to obtain the apropriate document.
Restricted areas are clearly marked on Swedish charts, as well as by signs on the shore. In protected and controlled areas foreign yachts must remain within the channels marked on the charts. In some parts of such areas anchoring or mooring is prohibited, and in others foreign yachts may not stay longer than 24 hours. Known prohibited areas are around Göteborg, the naval base at Karlskrona and parts of the southern approaches to Stockholm. Other restricted areas are protected wildlife reserves and at certain times of the year, especially spring and early summer, access is forbidden. The restricted areas are strictly enforced, and one may be subject to an on-the-spot fine if found to be breaking the regulations.
Laws are strict concerning the littering of the sea and shore. Garbage, oils, petrol or harmful substances must not be discharged into the water and in many places toilets must also not be pumped out.
Swedish Holding Tanks legislation has not yet been fully implemented due to the cost of providing pump out stations in all harbours.
Fishing Scandinavians can fish for recreation on Sweden's coasts, but non-Scandinavians must have special permission from the county board or county police where they intend to fish. Fishing is not permitted in private waters, except in certain areas where a special permit is needed. There are various regulations on closed seasons and permitted fishing tackle. Spearfishing is not permitted.
Inland waterways There are various canals linking rivers and lakes which give access to the interior of the country. The Göta Canal crosses Sweden from Göteborg to Söderköping, a distance of about 200 miles, passing through canals, the Göta River and several lakes. Fees must be paid for locks and harbour dues, and are quite high. Swedish charts are essential. As there are no fixed bridges, the canal can be navigated without dropping the mast.
There are also the canals of Falsterbo, Dalslands, Arvika and Vaddo, and the Lake Malaren near Stockholm may also be navigated. There are maximum draft as well as height restrictions on some of these canals. Maximum length: 100 ft (30 m), beam 20 ft (6 m), draft 9 ft (2.82 m), height 71 ft (22 m).
Sweden accepts animals coming under the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) which requires them to have current Pet Passport, microchip, current Health Certificate and Rabies Vaccination Certificate and have been blood tested by recognised Veterinarian prior to entry.
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