On this page you can read about the rules for importing pet birds.
Pets are animals that are
The animals must have been born and raised in captivity. It is not allowed to keep wild-caught animals as pets in Sweden.
Import regulations maybe changed (without prior notice) for example to prevent the spread of an infectious disease.
If you want to bring animals that are not covered by the above definition of pets, then they are counted as trade animals and then other rules apply. Information about trade animals is found under the main heading Trade.
Other rules apply to birds that are regarded as poultry, i.e. hens, turkeys, guinea fowls, ducks, geese, quails, pigeons, pheasants, partridges and ratites.
Please note that private individuals are not allowed to keep birds of prey.
It is the person bringing the animal that is responsible to see that the rules are followed. If you do not follow the rules the import can be stopped at the border. Remember that you must first find out if the animals are kept in Sweden without special permission.
Some species are comprised by special regulations according to CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. When you bring such species from non-EU countries you need an import permit from the Board of Agriculture, and an export licence from the animals' country of origin.
Species may also be comprised by the Ordinance on the protection of species, which is a complement to the CITES convention. The Ordinance is intended to protect European species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade and possession of such species.
You may bring no more than five birds from EU countries and from Andorra, Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican, provided that they travel with you or your representative. The birds must be healthy.
Note that, however, you may need CITES permits for certain endangered bird species that you take in from Andorra, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City.
If you want to bring pet birds to Sweden from non-EU countries except Andorra, Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican, you need an import permit for each individual case.
The country from which you bring the birds must be a member of the OIE, the World Organization for Animal Health.
Within 48 hours of dispatch, or on the last working day before dispatch, the birds must undergo clinical examination. This examination has to show that they are free from obvious signs of disease.
Pet birds from non-EU countries except Andorra, Faeroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican, may only be brought to Sweden through border inspection posts at Stockholm-Arlanda or Gothenburg-Landvetter.
You need to notify Customs of the animals' arrival at least 48 hours in advance, and contact the local border inspection veterinarian at least one working day ahead of the animals' arrival.
When the animals cross the border, you need to report to Customs and to the border inspection veterinarian. The person who imports the animals is the one who pays for the border veterinarian´s inspection. It may be a good idea to find out in advance how much it will cost.
If there is doubt about the species of the birds, Customs may call on an expert appointed by the Board of Agriculture. This is paid for by the person bringing the birds into Sweden.
The person who brings animals to Sweden is responsible for complying with the import rules. If you do not follow the rules, the import may be prevented, or the animals may be killed at the border. You also need to find out in advance whether or not you are allowed to keep the animals in Sweden without special permission.
Last updated: 2018-11-05
Swedish Regulation on the import of pets (in Swedish)
Swedish Regulation on transporting animals (in Swedish)
Swedish Regulation on keeping, breeding and selling pets (in Swedish)
Swedish Regulation on keeping animals in zoos (in Swedish)
Ordinance on the protection of species (in Swedish)
Act and Ordinance on Animal Welfare (in Swedish)
EU Regulation on health requirements for pets
Provisions amending the Swedish Board of Agriculture Regulation for the introduction of pets (in Swedish)
Movements of pet birds accompanying their owners into the Community