{"id":1074,"date":"2026-05-09T19:59:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T19:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flytorelocation.com\/se\/sweden-car-export-2026-en\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T20:14:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:14:26","slug":"sweden-car-export-2026-en","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/flytorelocation.com\/se\/sweden-car-export-2026-en\/","title":{"rendered":"Exporting Swedish-Registered Car 2026: Transportstyrelsen + Customs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Exporting a Swedish-Registered Car 2026: Transportstyrelsen Deregistration and Tax Refund<\/h1>\n
Flyto Relocation Team<\/strong>\u00b7<\/span>Updated May 9, 2026<\/span>\u00b7<\/span>\u2713 Expert team since 2018<\/span>\u00b7<\/span>~2 min read<\/span><\/div>\n
Also available in Svenska<\/a><\/div>\n
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Quick answer:<\/strong> Exporting a Swedish-registered car requires Transportstyrelsen deregistration, possible VAT and tax adjustments, and registration in destination country. Within EU\/EEA: simple. Outside EU (UK Brexit, Switzerland, USA): customs and VAT in destination. Plan 4-6 weeks ahead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Key takeaways<\/h3>\n
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  • Transportstyrelsen deregistration mandatory<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • EU\/EEA: no customs<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • UK Brexit: 10% duty + 20% VAT<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Register 30-90 days in destination<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Insurance overlap 30-60 days<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    \"Exporting<\/figure>\n
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    Transportstyrelsen export deregistration step by step<\/h2>\n

    To take a Swedish-registered vehicle abroad permanently you must file an export deregistration (avregistrering f\u00f6r export) with Transportstyrelsen before the vehicle leaves Sweden. The process is fully digital via Transportstyrelsen’s e-service at transportstyrelsen.se, with BankID authentication required.<\/p>\n

    Required: Swedish vehicle registration certificate (registreringsbevis del 1 och del 2), valid kontrollbesiktning (MOT) within last 12-24 months, no outstanding fordonsskatt (annual vehicle tax), no parking fines or congestion-tax debts, and the buyer’s information if vehicle is being sold abroad. Cost: SEK 0 for the export deregistration itself; export plates (exportskyltar) cost SEK 320-450. The system issues confirmation immediately, and exportskyltar are mailed in 3-5 business days, valid for the chosen export-driving period (15-90 days).<\/p>\n

    Fordonsskatt refund and vehicle taxation context<\/h2>\n

    Sweden has no autovero-equivalent (Finland’s purchase tax on first registration). Swedish vehicle taxation is mainly through annual fordonsskatt and CO2-based bonus-malus on new registrations. Annual fordonsskatt is refunded pro-rata for the unused portion of the year following export deregistration \u2014 Transportstyrelsen calculates the refund automatically and credits to the bank account on file within 4-8 weeks.<\/p>\n

    The refund is typically modest (SEK 100-3,000 depending on vehicle type and time of year). Diesel cars and high-CO2 vehicles have higher fordonsskatt and therefore larger pro-rata refunds. For company cars and leasing vehicles, the refund goes to the registered owner, not the user \u2014 coordinate with the leasing company before initiating export.<\/p>\n

    Customs and the EU\/EEA distinction<\/h2>\n

    EU\/EEA destination:<\/strong> No customs duty or VAT in destination if you can prove the car was registered in your name in Sweden for at least 6 months before move and you are establishing residency under removal-goods exemption. Each destination has its own re-registration deadline: Finland 30 days, Germany 6 months for personal-use, Spain 30 days, Norway 30 days. Re-register promptly; driving on Swedish plates beyond the destination’s tolerance period is illegal and voids insurance.<\/p>\n

    Non-EU destination:<\/strong> Full import duty and local VAT typically apply unless covered by removal-goods exemption (UK ToR1, Switzerland Wohnsitzwechsel, Norway flytteguds). Removal-goods rules generally require: ownership of vehicle for at least 6-12 months before move, residence change documented, vehicle imported within 12 months of relocation. Verify with destination customs authority before shipping \u2014 wrong assumptions cost thousands.<\/p>\n

    Swedish vehicle export documentation table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Document<\/th>\nPurpose<\/th>\nWhere to obtain<\/th>\nCost (2026)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Avregistrering f\u00f6r export<\/td>\nProves Swedish deregistration<\/td>\nTransportstyrelsen e-service<\/td>\nSEK 0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Exportskyltar (export plates)<\/td>\nLegal driving abroad up to 90 days<\/td>\nTransportstyrelsen, mailed<\/td>\nSEK 320-450<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Trafikf\u00f6rs\u00e4kring f\u00f6r exportperioden<\/td>\nMandatory third-party insurance<\/td>\nSwedish insurer (If, Trygg-Hansa, Folksam, L\u00e4nsf\u00f6rs\u00e4kringar)<\/td>\nSEK 300-1,200 per period<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Kontrollbesiktning intyg<\/td>\nMOT for foreign re-registration<\/td>\nBilprovning, Carspect, Opus, Dekra<\/td>\nSEK 350-700<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Registreringsbevis del 1 och del 2<\/td>\nOriginal ownership document<\/td>\nAlready in possession or order from Transportstyrelsen<\/td>\nSEK 80-150 if reorder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tullexportdeklaration (non-EU)<\/td>\nFor destination customs<\/td>\nTullverket \/ customs broker<\/td>\nSEK 500-2,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Driving on exportskyltar: the time limit<\/h2>\n

    Exportskyltar are valid for the period chosen at application (15, 30, 60, or 90 days). Trafikf\u00f6rs\u00e4kring (third-party insurance) covering the export-driving period and route is mandatory; driving with expired plates or without insurance is a criminal offence. If you cannot complete cross-border journey and re-registration in the chosen period, options are:<\/p>\n

    Apply for new exportskyltar<\/strong> with renewed insurance \u2014 possible but costly and only if vehicle has not entered destination country’s vehicle register. Re-register in destination country first<\/strong> on local temporary plates if available, then drive on local plates \u2014 the cleaner path. Most EU countries allow temporary import on Swedish plates for 30-90 days from arrival, after which local plates are required.<\/p>\n

    Selling vs exporting: financial comparison<\/h2>\n

    Run the numbers before assuming export is right answer. Selling in Sweden typically yields more money than exporting due to: (1) Swedish second-hand market is reasonably efficient for SEK 50,000-500,000 cars; (2) Export and re-registration in destination country can cost SEK 5,000-30,000 in fees, taxes and homologation; (3) Most destination countries impose conformity tests (Spain ITV homologaci\u00f3n, Germany Einzelabnahme by T\u00dcV) costing SEK 3,000-20,000 if Swedish car was not type-approved for destination; (4) Right-hand-drive considerations if moving to UK\/Ireland\/Malta; (5) CO2-based malus or import tax in some destinations (e.g. Norway’s high registration tax).<\/p>\n

    Selling is almost always financially better unless: car has high sentimental or specialty value (classic, modified, rare); destination has very high local prices for same model; or move is short-term (under 3 years) with intent to return car to Sweden.<\/p>\n

    Returning the car to Sweden later<\/h2>\n

    If you bring a Swedish-origin car back to Sweden after temporary residence abroad, no specific exemption is needed \u2014 you simply re-register. The car must pass kontrollbesiktning if more than 24 months since last MOT, and the registreringsbevis is updated with new owner status (if changed) and new address. Trafikf\u00f6rs\u00e4kring is mandatory from re-registration date.<\/p>\n

    Note: if you previously claimed pro-rata fordonsskatt refund on export, no double benefit \u2014 the new fordonsskatt year starts fresh from re-registration. Customs and import VAT do not apply for EU\/EEA returns; for non-EU returns, the removal-goods exemption from EU regulation 1186\/2009 applies if you owned the car abroad for at least 6 months and are returning to Swedish residence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    FAQ<\/h3>\n
    \nRefund time?<\/summary>\n

    Vehicle tax refunded proportionally.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nInsurance overlap?<\/summary>\n

    30-60 days from Swedish insurer.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nDrive during transit?<\/summary>\n

    Use carrier transport; export plates available.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nWorth exporting?<\/summary>\n

    Yes for newer cars typically.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nVintage cars?<\/summary>\n

    Special rules over 30 years.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nDo I get any Swedish tax refund when exporting a car?<\/summary>\n

    Yes \u2014 pro-rata refund of annual fordonsskatt for the unused portion of the year, calculated by Transportstyrelsen automatically and credited to the bank account on file within 4-8 weeks. The refund is typically modest (SEK 100-3,000), depending on vehicle type and time of year. Sweden does not have a Finland-style autovero refund because there is no equivalent purchase-tax-on-first-registration system.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nCan I drive my Swedish car in Spain indefinitely?<\/summary>\n

    No. Spain’s DGT requires re-registration within 30 days once you become resident there (registered in padr\u00f3n or with NIE active). Driving past the deadline can lead to fines, vehicle confiscation and refusal of insurance claims after accidents. Re-register at the local Jefatura Provincial de Tr\u00e1fico, taking the Swedish registreringsbevis, exportskylt confirmation, kontrollbesiktning, residence certificate and ITV homologaci\u00f3n for non-EU type-approved cars.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nWhat happens to insurance when Swedish plates are exported?<\/summary>\n

    Once Transportstyrelsen registers the export deregistration, your Swedish trafikf\u00f6rs\u00e4kring automatically terminates on the same date. For driving abroad on exportskyltar, take out a separate exportperiod insurance from a Swedish insurer covering destination country and route \u2014 cost SEK 300-1,200 for 15-90 days. Insurance gaps are illegal and create personal liability for any damage caused. Once destination re-registration is complete, switch to local insurance.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n

    \nWhat documents must I keep after exporting the car?<\/summary>\n

    Avregistrering f\u00f6r export confirmation, fordonsskatt refund decision (Transportstyrelsen), destination country re-registration certificate, all customs documents (CMR for non-EU shipping), proof of insurance for export-driving period, kontrollbesiktning intyg. Keep all documents for at least 6 years (Skatteverket retention period) and longer if you plan to return car to Sweden under removal-goods exemption.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

    Flyto Relocation arranges vehicle transport. Get a quote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    See also: All Sweden moving guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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    Need to ship your car or belongings?<\/h3>\n

    Get a personalised quote for your full international move<\/p>\n

    Get free quote \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n