APPLiA Sverige
Home appliances – fridges, freezers, washing machines, cookers and small domestic appliances.
applia-sverige.seSweden's electronics tax, explained clearly
A weight-based chemicals tax on electronics and white goods – what it costs, why it fails the environment and who is calling for change.
Key facts at a glance
SEK 2.5bn
paid by Swedish households every year
≈ SEK 690
maximum tax per item, including VAT
0%
proven environmental benefit in official evaluations
1
lonely country in the EU with this tax
Two tax levels – one cap
White goods
≈ SEK 12 / kg
SEK 12.42 per kg. A typical fridge or washing machine (45 kg+) hits the cap anyway.
Other electronics
≈ SEK 181 / kg
SEK 180.71 per kg. Anything above about 3 kg – TVs, consoles, monitors – reaches the cap.
Cap: SEK 552.27 per item excluding VAT – about SEK 690 including 25% VAT.
The coalition behind the campaign
ElektronikBranschen
Consumer electronics and retail – the shops and suppliers selling TVs, computers and audio.
elektronikbranschen.se
Dataspelsbranschen
Swedish Games Industry – game developers, publishers, consoles and gaming hardware.
dataspelsbranschen.seFour reasons the tax is failing
01
Consumers & households
The tax follows weight, not price. A reverse Robin Hood effect: SEK 690 is about 33% of a budget TV but only 3% of a premium TV of the same weight.
25% VAT is then charged on top of the tax itself – consumers literally pay tax on the tax.
02
Environment & circularity
The tax has not reduced hazardous chemicals. For many components there are no approved alternatives that still meet fire-safety requirements, so the substances remain and the tax is simply paid.
Higher prices weaken the market for durable, repairable products and do nothing to make repairs, refurbished or second-hand electronics more attractive.
03
Swedish retail vs foreign marketplaces
Swedish shops must collect the tax. Parcels from foreign online marketplaces often reach Swedish consumers without the tax – and without the same chemical and safety controls.
The result is an unfair price advantage for foreign sellers and lost jobs in Swedish retail.
04
Political landscape
No party in the Swedish parliament wants to keep the tax in its current form.
Four parties want to abolish it entirely and four want a far-reaching reform.
International contact & press
Journalists and international organisations are welcome to contact us directly. Press kit, quick facts and images are available on our press page.
What can you do?
Learn what the tax means for your household or add your voice to the campaign.
The calculator and opinion form are currently available in Swedish.