Trade in plants in Sweden and the EU

Within the EU there is almost free movement of plants and seeds. However, you still need to comply with several rules.

You need a plant passport for moving certain plants within the EU

Plants that may carry so-called quarantine pests must be accompanied by a plant passport when they are sold. Quarantine pests are serious pests that have no or limited presence in the EU and that may have large financial consequences if they spread here. Quarantine pests are certain insects, spiders, tapeworms, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and virus.

The plant passport requirement only applies to plants for planting and regulated seeds. You can find more information about the EU plant protection rules in the right-hand column.

Additional rules that affect trade and movement of plants and plant products

Sweden is a protected zone for four pests: Cotton whitefly (European populations), Chestnut blight or canker, and Colorado beetle. Special rules apply to plants and plant products that can be attacked by these pests.

Strict rules apply to potatoes. Trade in both ware potatoes and seed potatoes requires documentation. Trade in seed borne seed is mostly governed by the seed legislation. Some kinds of seed borne seed are also regulated for reasons of plant protection, which means that you need a plant passport for commercial trade.

Please contact the Plant Protection Service for more information.

You can apply for a permit to bring plant pests for scientific work 

So-called quarantine pests must not be moved from one place to another within the EU. However, you can get a permit to do so for scientific work. If you plan to move quarantine pests within the EU, please contact the Plant Regulations Unit for advice.

Please use the form in the right-hand column for your application.

Rules on endangered species

In addition to plant protection rules, there are rules intended to preserve endangered species. You can find more information about this in the right-hand column.

Other rules for the trade in plants and seed

In addition to the plant protection rules, many other rules apply to the trade in plants and seed in the EU. Please contact us for more information on:

• Variety listing
• Seed certification
• Marketing standards
• Organic products
• Feed
• Hemp
• Genetically modified organisms
• Placing seed on the market
• Placing plants on the market
• Placing potato on the market

In addition to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, other authorities may have rules that apply. Please read more in the right-hand column.