Requirements for trade in firearm

A permit to trade in firearms may be given to either a natural person or a legal person. In most cases, it may be necessary to apply for several different permits to trade in firearms.

Trade in firearms

Based on your application, the Swedish Police Authority will determine whether you have sufficient knowledge to obtain a permit and whether the business can be conducted responsibly and professionally. The application fee for a permit to trade in firearms is SEK 4 600.

Apply for permits to trade in firearms

Evaluation of the relevant skills

In order to be granted a permit to trade in firearms, a natural person must demonstrate that they possess the relevant skills regarding firearms and knowledge about firearms regulations in Sweden. The same applies to the persons applying for approval as manager or substitute manager.

To test whether the applicant has the relevant skills, a test is conducted by the Swedish Police Authority. The test fee is included in the application fee for the permit to trade in firearms when the applicant is a natural person or the application for approval as manager or substitute manager.

Please note that the test is not available in English. The reason for this is that the test requires understanding of Swedish law and regulations from different public authorities. This material is not generally available in English.

Requrirements for legal persons who trade in firearms 

A legal person with a permit to trade in firearms must have an approved manager. If the manager is prevented from being responsible for the business, e.g. in case of illness or other absence, a substitute manager can take over the responsibility during this time. The substitute manager must be approved by the Swedish Police Authority. If there is no approved substitute manager and the manager is prevented from being responsible for the business, trading in firearms may not take place until the manager is back.

The application fee for approval is SEK 870. The fee for approval is added to the  SEK 4 600 application fee for the permit to trade in firearms.

A legal person is also required to name all the natural persons with a considerable influence over the legal person. They are also required to notify the Swedish Police Authority as soon as possible if there is a change in the natural persons with a considerable influence. This is not seen as an application and is therefore handled without a fee.

Some examples of natural persons with a considerable influence over a legal person are:

• Members of the board of directors
• Chief Executive Officer
• Major shareholders (roughly 20 % of the total number of votes)

Lending out a firearm for test shooting purposes

A firearms dealer may lend a firearm to a presumptive buyer only for test shooting purposes. If the buyer is not allowed to possess this type of firearm on their own, a representative (i.e. approved manager or approved substitute manager) of the firearms dealer must accompany the buyer during the test shooting. The firearms dealer may also be represented by another person on the condition that this person has been approved by the Swedish Police Authority to attend the test shooting. The application fee for approval is SEK 870.

Import of firearms to Sweden

A permit is required to import firearms to Sweden. A firearms dealer may request an import permit under Swedish law. The import permit will apply to all types of firearms listed on the permit to trade in firearms. This type of permit is issued without a fee.

However, this import permit does not apply to fully automatic firearms. A specific import permit must be applied for every time the firearms dealer wishes to import this type of firearm.

Transfer of firearms to another state within the European Union

A permit is required to transfer firearms from Sweden to another state within the European Union. A firearms dealer may apply for a general transfer permit under Swedish law. The general transfer permit will apply to all types of firearms listed on the permit to trade in firearms and will be valid for no more than three years. The application fee for this type of permit is SEK 320.

Additional information regarding trade in firearm suppressors and detachable loading devices

Trade in firearm suppressors and detachable loading devices does not require a special permit. However, the possession of firearm suppressors and detachable loading devices does. A permit to trade in firearms includes the right to possess firearm suppressors and detachable loading devices.

Additional information regarding trade in ammunition

Matters regarding trade in ammunition are not handled by the Swedish Police Authority. Applications for such permits are handled by the municipality where the trade is to take place.