Importing from USA: duty, VAT and rules in motion
US trade has been redrawn twice in a short time: first new tariffs, then the EU’s removal of duties on American industrial goods in 2026. What decides your import today is the right commodity code, the right documents and a grip on the latest state of the rules.
EasyTull keeps track for you. We classify the goods, monitor the rule changes and declare within two hours.
The EU has removed the duties on American industrial goods
The trade relationship between the EU and the USA was recast in 2025, and since 1 July 2026 the EU duty is zero on industrial goods that are made in the USA, shipped directly to the EU and supported by proof. The relief runs until 31 December 2029 and can be suspended by the Commission.
For you as an importer, that means two things. Goods made in the USA may now be duty-free. And money can be claimed back through a reassessment, but only if the proof of origin and direct transport existed when the declaration was lodged.
We monitor the rule changes continuously and recalculate your flows when something changes.
The wrong duty rate costs you, in either direction
Declare with a rate that has been lowered and you pay too much, money that can be claimed back. Declare with a rate that has been raised and retroactive billing awaits. Both mistakes come from the same thing: nobody monitored the change.
Up-to-date information is part of the service, not an add-on.
What gives duty-free treatment, country by country
Norway, the UK and Turkey have agreements where the right document gives duty-free treatment. For the USA there is no standard certificate, but proof of US origin and direct shipment is still required, and we help you get it right. Food and agricultural products remain dutiable.
Norway
0% with a proof of origin
The EEA agreement, requires EEA origin
United Kingdom
0% with a statement on origin
Free trade agreement, requires UK origin
Turkey
0% with an A.TR
Customs union for industrial goods
USA
0% with US origin
Requires US-made goods and proof. Applies until 31 December 2029.
Correct classification still decides half of it: the commodity code determines whether your goods are covered by the duty removal, and the origin with proof decides whether you actually get the zero rate. We classify and document both parts for you.
Duty and VAT on goods from the USA
The Now column applies to goods made in the USA, with proof at declaration. For everything else, the Previous rate still applies today.
Want the amount for your particular shipment? Calculate duty and VAT in our duty calculator, which fetches the duty rate from the customs tariff and shows what a proof of origin is worth. Missing the commodity code? Search the HS code for free.
Product category
Previously
Now, made in USA
Electronics
0 to 14 %
0 % with proof
Machinery and tools
0–4,5 %
0 % with proof
Car parts and vehicle accessories
3–4,5 %
0 % with proof
Clothing and streetwear
12 %
0 %, Asia 12 %
Furniture and interiors
0–5 %
0 % with proof
Supplements and food
Varies
Duty and special rules remain
The dollar is converted by Swedish Customs
The customs value is the price of the goods plus freight and insurance to the EU border, converted at Swedish Customs’ official exchange rate, not your bank’s rate. The wrong rate in the declaration is a common and unnecessary mistake.
What about VAT?
Import VAT is always charged: 25 per cent on the customs value plus duty for most goods. VAT-registered companies report and deduct it in their VAT return to the Swedish Tax Agency.
Unsure what your US imports cost under today’s rules?
Call +46 31 755 77 76 or email info@easytull.com. You get a reply within 10 minutes.
FCC and UL are not enough: the EU requires CE
American products are built for American rules. FCC, UL and FDA approvals do not impress Swedish Customs. Products that require marking in the EU must carry CE with documentation behind it, or they are stopped at the border.
This is the most common reason US imports get stuck. The product is excellent, but it is certified for the wrong continent. Check the CE question before you order, not when the goods are standing in Gothenburg.
Supplements and food
American supplements often contain ingredients not approved in the EU, and the labelling follows American rules. It is one of the categories most often stopped entirely. Check before you buy in stock.
Vehicles from the USA
Cars built in the USA enter duty-free with proof of origin and direct shipment. Other cars bought in the USA pay 10 per cent. VAT and the registration rules still apply, so contact us before the purchase.
An inherited car from the USA, home without duty or VAT
A private individual inherited a car in the USA and expected duty and VAT. We handled the car as inherited property with the right documentation, and it could be brought in entirely free of both duty and VAT. Such exemptions exist, but only for those who know they must be claimed.
The container that was stuck for over a year
A Swedish company bought goods from the USA without thinking about the CE rules, and the declaration was made by another broker. The container was caught in a control by Swedish Customs and the Swedish Electrical Safety Board and stood still for over a year. When we took over, we contacted the seller, produced the missing documentation and appealed the decision. The goods were out three months later.
The right documents from the start would have saved a year and the entire storage cost.
From assignment to released goods
3 months
after more than a year at a standstill
The documents that must be in place
American suppliers are used to exporting and the documents are usually of good quality. We review everything before the declaration is lodged.
Commercial invoice
Price in dollars, Incoterms, a description and the country of origin. The basis for the entire customs value.
Packing list
Number of packages, weight, volume and dimensions
Transport document
B/L for sea freight, AWB for air and express
CE documentation
The EU declaration and test reports for products that require marking
Technical specifications
Product sheets and a bill of materials, often decisive for the right commodity code
EORI number
Required for every company that imports. We handle the EORI application if you don’t have one.
Across the Atlantic: sea, air or express
The distance makes the choice of freight a bigger cost question than from Europe. We clear the goods whatever the mode of transport.
15–30
days
Sea freight
The cheapest for large volumes. The East Coast is faster than the West Coast.
2–5
days
Air freight
For urgent or high-value goods where time beats freight cost.
3–7
days
Air freight
For urgent and high-value deliveries.
2–4
days
Express
DHL, FedEx and UPS door to door for smaller shipments.
Incoterms from the USA: FOB for sea freight or FCA for air gives you control over freight and clearance. Avoid DDP, as American sellers rarely handle Swedish VAT correctly and you bear the risk. Need the freight as well? We arrange transport through our forwarding partners, so freight and clearance are booked in one. Selling to American customers too? Read our guide on exporting to the USA.
Six mistakes that make US imports more expensive
Assuming FCC or UL is enough
The EU requires CE. The product is stopped at the border without it.
Counting on an old duty rate
Trade policy changes the rates. Wrong in one direction means retroactive billing, in the other you pay too much.
The wrong dollar rate in the customs value
Swedish Customs’ official rate applies, not your bank’s or your card’s.
The freight is forgotten in the customs value
Atlantic freight is expensive and must go into the calculation. Without it, retroactive billing awaits.
Supplements without an EU check
Unapproved ingredients or the wrong labelling get the whole consignment stopped.
DDP promises from the seller
The VAT is handled incorrectly and you bear the risk at an audit.
Already paid too much?
If the duty rate has been lowered or the commodity code was wrong, it is often possible to request a reassessment and get the money back.
How we take care of your US imports
You don’t need to know the rulebook, that is our job. Send the documents and we handle the rest, and the declaration is normally ready within two hours.
Send the invoice, and a customs specialist replies within 10 minutes
Attach the commercial invoice and the transport details and we come back with what is required, what it costs and when the declaration will be ready. Calling works just as well.
The same customs specialist every time
Ready within 2 hours
Fixed price, no lock-in
Your details are only used to reply to you. Read our privacy policy.
Questions and answers about importing from the USA
Can’t find the answer? We reply within 10 minutes.
How much duty is there on goods from the USA?
It depends on where the goods are made. Goods of US origin are duty-free from 1 July 2026 until 31 December 2029, with proof of origin and direct shipment at declaration. Goods made elsewhere pay the ordinary duty, and import VAT is always added.
Is it true that the tariffs on the USA are changing?
Yes. The EU duty relief for US-made industrial goods runs from 1 July 2026 until 31 December 2029, and the Commission can suspend it. We monitor the situation continuously and always declare with current rates.
What applies when I buy from American online stores?
Import VAT is always charged, and the duty depends both on the commodity code and on where the goods are made. Clothing and electronics from American web shops are often made in Asia and then pay the ordinary duty, 12 per cent for garments.
Can I import supplements from the USA?
It is possible, but the rules are strict. Many American ingredients are not approved in the EU, and the labelling must follow EU food law. Check with us before you buy in stock. It is one of the categories most often stopped.
Can I import a car from the USA?
Yes. A car built in the USA is duty-free at import with proof of origin and direct shipment, while a car of another make bought in the USA pays 10 per cent duty. VAT is added in both cases, and the car then goes through registration and inspection. An inherited car can, with the right documentation, be brought in entirely free of duty and VAT. Contact us before the purchase or the shipment home and we calculate the full cost.
Do American products need CE marking?
Yes, for categories such as electronics, machinery and toys. American approvals such as FCC and UL are not valid in the EU. Without CE and the documentation behind it, the products can be stopped at the border.
Ready to import from USA?
We classify the goods, calculate under today’s rules and lodge the declaration with Swedish Customs.
Ready within 2 hours
Your own customs expert
Reply within 10 min, or the declaration is on us
Call +46 31 755 77 76 or email info@easytull.com
More customs guides: Exporting to the USA · Importing from Norway · Importing from the UK · Importing from Turkey · Duty calculator · HS code search · EORI number · Import declarations · Export declarations · Customs broker
