Temporary import - Transit
If you temporarily need to travel/transit with weapons through Sweden, certain rules apply. Keep in mind that the weapon you want to bring into Sweden must be approved according to the laws and regulations that exist for weapons in Sweden.
New application form for “import/transit” with weapons in Sweden
Use the new form together with the other application documents!
Permission for transit – Private person
If you need to temporarily import/transit with weapons through Sweden to another country, you must apply for an import/ transit permit with the police.
However, if the permanent transfer of weapons constitutes military equipment in accordance with the Annex to the Ordinance (1992: 1303) on military equipment, to a country outside the EEA, the ISP handles the granting of permits.
There are also other exceptions for when the ISP handles cases regarding the transit of weapons through Sweden, so always take the habit of visiting their website. For more information regarding the ISP see further down the page.
Exceptions - Nordic citizens
(Does not apply to Iceland)
If you are a resident of Norway, Finland or Denmark and have a permanent weapons permit (weapons license), you do not need to apply for a permit for transit if you are traveling via Sweden to Denmark, Finland or Norway for the purpose of occasional hunting or competition in any of these countries. It is sufficient that you file a firearms declaration via the Internet at Swedish Customs when entering and exiting Sweden. You always have to bring your weapons license from your home country or a European firearms pass.
However, if you as a Nordic citizen want to travel through Sweden for other purposes than hunting and competition in another Nordic country, then you have to apply for a permit for transit.
Permission for transit - Export Company
When an export company intends to export arms to another country and the transport is to go via Sweden, it is necessary to apply for a permit for transit. Only an export company holding an approved export license or an arms dealer permit may transit with weapons through Sweden. In cases where there is no export license or arms dealer permit, another document proving the right to export arms is required.
However, if the transport is regarding the transfer of weapons that constitutes military equipment in accordance with the Annex to the Ordinance (1992: 1303) on military equipment, to a country outside the EEA, the ISP handles the granting of permits.
There are also other exceptions for when the ISP handles cases regarding the transit of weapons through Sweden, so always take the habit of visiting their website. For more information regarding the ISP see further down the page.
The application for a permit for transit is made in the same way as for a private person with the only difference being that information about the transporter (if other than exporter) and the receiver (Consignee) is submitted in the application. Furthermore, a copy of the company's export license or arms dealer permit and the recipient's import permit must be attached to the application.
The Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP)
ISP is a government agency with assignments in Swedish foreign and security policy. The authority is the state licensing and regulatory authority for military equipment and dual-use products, as well as the national authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention.
If a private person or an export company intends to transit with weapons that
make up military equipment in accordance with the Annex to the Ordinance
(1992: 1303) on military equipment, through Sweden for the purpose of
permanent transfer to a country outside the EEA, then it is the ISP that handles the licensing.
Special rules apply to transit with arms covered by the law (1992: 1300) on military equipment within and outside the Nordic region.
There are also other exceptions for when ISP handles cases of transit of weapons through Sweden, so always take the habit of visiting their website, see down below.
Transit of military equipment or dual-use products, Inspection for Strategic Products (ISP)
Appendix to the regulation on military equipment (In Swedish)
Common Military List Of The European Union
För information på svenska – Tillfällig införsel/transitering av vapen genom Sverige
How to apply for a import/transit of weapons
1. An application for a temporary import/transit of weapons shall contain the following documents:
A: A form for temporary import/transit.
It is important that the form is completed in full. Do not forget to (in the application form) enter the date of birth of the people involved in the transit. Save the document on your computer before filling it in digitally!
Application - Transit of weapons through Sweden PM 553.17 - Swedish (pdf, 3 MB)
Application - Transit of weapons through Sweden PM 553.18 - English (pdf, 3 MB)
B. A scanned copy of your European firearms pass (applies to EU citizens).
The original document for a European firearms pass is not to be submitted when applying for import permit. When you have arrived in Sweden you can visit any Policestation if you want your temporary import permit to be registered in your European Firearms Pass. Bring your import permit, identification card and European Firearms Pass.
C. A scanned copy of relevant documents proving the purpose of the journey through Sweden and the transit with weapons.
- If the purpose of the journey through Sweden is permanent transfer of
weapons from one country to another, a copy of the permit for permanent
transfer and other relevant documents shall be attached to the application for
transit of weapons. - If the purpose of the trip through Sweden is hunting or competition shooting
in another country, copies of the invitation or other that validates this must be
attached to the application. - If the purpose is anything other than permanent transfer of weapons,
hunting or competition in a country other than Sweden, this must be
confirmed by other documents attached to the application. - An export company that is to export weapons to another country via Sweden must attach copies of the company's export license or the arms dealer permit.
The import permit of the recipient country must also be attached.
For citizens of the United States or countries in which weapon permits/licenses are not issued, you are also required to include:
- A scanned copy of a certificate from the hunting host or competition organizer
confirming your weapon handling skills and marksmanship. - A scanned copy of a certificate from the country's local police or equivalent,
stating that you are a law abiding citizen and can handle the weapon you want
to import.
Be sure that all essential information can be clearly read in the enclosed copies of your original documents.
2. Submit your application.
Send your application for a temporary import/transit of weapons with the mandatory application documents by e-mail to:
weapon-arlanda.stockholm@polisen.se
- Enter your first and last name in the e-mails subject line.
- Submit only one application per person and e-mail.
3. Pay the fees.
Once the police have received your application and registered it, we send a payment document with a unique OCR number. This will be dispatched to the postal address stated in your application. The police will only begin processing once the application fee has been paid. Turnaround time is longest in June to October. Apply and pay the fee in good time at least 6 weeks before your planned entry into Sweden. The police cannot guarantee turnaround times.
NOTE! A case with a late submitted application or a late paid application fee, in the period of June to October, will only be handled as time permits.
Payment information – Weapon import/transit permit (pdf, 479 kB)
4. Permit issued.
If no obstacles exist your permit will be issued. It will be dispatched to the postal address stated in the application.
5. Remember to declare your firearm and ammunition to Swedish
Customs.
Once you have received your import/transit permit, the only thing that remains is to submit a firearms and ammunition declaration to the Swedish customs. Bring the declaration form and the weapons import/transit permit and show it to the Swedish Customs upon entry and exit.
Note!
- The police always make a register check on the applicant, transporter and Consignee/Recipient.
- Only an export company holding an export license or an arms dealer permit may transit with weapons through Sweden.
- Only weapons approved in accordance with Swedish laws and regulations may be brought into Sweden during a transit.
- During the stay in Sweden during the actual transit, Swedish legislation applies to the handling and transport of weapons.
- Permits for transit apply only for travel through Sweden from one country to another and not for longer stay in Sweden than can be considered reasonable for the transit in each individual case.
This will delay the process
Applications will be handled in the order they are received and when the application fee has been paid.
- Do not send your application more than once this will only delay the process. There is also a risk that it will be registered twice and a further payment slip is sent to your home address.
- Do not pay in advance and use only the payment document with the unique OCR number, sent to your home address.
- Processing will also be delayed if the application is incomplete, if any of the mandatory annexes (Application form, copy of European firearms pass, invitation, export license etc.) is missing or if payment is not made immediately.
- Fill in your application form electronically. It is often difficult to read and interpret all information in handwritten documents.
- Readable documents attached. Be sure that all essential information can be clearly read in the enclosed copies of your original documents.
