Sweden Travel Guide

Sweden — Shopping

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Shopping

VAT (Moms) is refundable to visitors who are resident in non-EU countries on goods bought at shops participating in the Tax-Free Shopping scheme. The refund is payable to the customer when departing from Sweden at either airports or customs offices at ports. There are many traditional markets and country fairs throughout Sweden. Special purchases include glassware and crystal, ceramics, stainless steel and silver, hemslöjd (cottage industry artifacts) and woodcarvings. Women's and children's clothes are good buys, especially handknitted Nordic sweaters.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1800, Sat 0930-1400/1600. Some department stores stay open until 1900 or longer. In larger towns, some shops have longer opening hours and are also open Sundays 1200-1600. In rural areas, shops and petrol stations close by 1700/1800.

Currency

Swedish Krona (SEK; symbol kr) = 100 öre. Notes are in denominations of kr1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of kr10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50 öre.

Currency Exchange

Currency can be converted at FOREX foreign exchange agencies; these are found in major cities, airports and ferry terminals etc.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted. Most shops and restaurants require ID when paying with a credit card. ATMs are widely available. Personal checks are no longer used.

Travelers Checks

Widely accepted. A nominal fee is charged when paying with traveler's checks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, visitors are advised to take traveler's checks in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if traveling from or to a country outside the European Union.