How to import rice
You need a licence for importing certain kinds of rice from countries outside the EU. There are two different types of licences.
New rules for licenses
Since 1st of October 2024, you do not need a standard license for rice if the shipment is less than 1 000 kilos. This now applies per product code.
Standard licence for import
You need a standard licence for importing certain kinds of rice from non-EU countries. With a standard licence you pay the normal customs duty.
More specifically, you need a licence for importing rice of the following codes:
Code | Description |
|---|---|
1006 20 | Husked (brown) rice |
1006 30 | Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed |
1006 40 00 | Broken rice |
If you are importing less than 1 000 kilos, you do not need a licence.
Date for application
You can apply for a standard licence at any time during the year.
Lodge a security when applying for standard licence
You have to lodge a security when you apply for a licence. A security may for instance be cash or a bank guarantee. The point of the security is to ensure that you really intend to import the goods.
You may let another company import rice with your license. Even if someone else imports rice with your license, it is still you who pays the security amount.
The exchange rate for licences is 11.6308 SEK/euro in November 2024.
If the total amount of your security is less than 100 euro, you do not need to lodge a security.
Converted to kilograms of rice, that means 3 333 kg. If you are importing between 1 000 and 3 333 kilograms of rice, you need a standard licence, but you do not need to lodge a security.
| Product | CN code | Security | How to calculate the amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husked (brown), milled and semi-milled rice | 1006 20 and 1006 30 | 30 euro for each ton | Kilo rice of the licence application x 0.03 x euro exchange rate on the first day of the month in which you send us your application |
| Broken rice | 1006 40 00 | 1 euro for each ton | Kilo rice of the licence application x 0.001 x euro exchange rate on the first day of the month in which you send us your application. |
Import quota licence for rice
With an import quota licence, you can import rice and broken rice from certain non-EU countries at lower or zero duty.
Requirements for applying for a quota license
You must show trade at the first opportunity when you intend to apply for quotas during the current quota year and the trade must be shown for two consecutive twelve-month periods.
These are the twelve-month periods that expire two months before the first quota application can be submitted for the quota year. This means that for quotas applied for during the period 23‑30 November 2023, trade must be shown during the twelve-month periods of:
- September 23, 2021 – September 22, 2022
- September 23, 2022 – September 22, 2023.
These periods are valid until October 2024. Quota licences applied after that will face updated periods.
For quota applications in rice, you are required to show trade of 25 tonnes per twelve-month period for your application to be valid.
You can show trade by contacting the Swedish Customs.
Address:
Tullverket (The Swedish Customs), “Utdrag ur TDS”, Box 27311, 102 54 STOCKHOLM.
Request extracts from the Customs Data System (TDS) and that the information be sent
on to the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
Address:
The Swedish Board of Agriculture
Fiskeri- och marknadsstödsenheten
551 82 Jönköping, Sweden
Please note that the above proof as well as sufficient security amount must come to the Swedish Board of Agriculture together with the quota application in LICnet - our electronic self service, before the application period expires.
Your company must have its registered office in Sweden and be VAT registered in Sweden.
A customs official or customs representative may not apply for quota licenses.
Dates for applications for quota licenses
Applications for import quota licenses must be made during the first seven days of each month during the tariff quota period. It is also possible to apply during the first seven days of the month before the tariff quota period begins. An exception is the month of December. Then you may not apply for import quotas for the first seven days. Quotas that are valid to use from the first of January, you apply from the 23rd to the 30th of November.
You may submit only one application for each type of rice and for each period. However, for quotas for which you are required to submit an export certificate, you may submit several applications for each quota number. This refers to quotas No. 09.4127, 09.4128, 09.4129 and 09.4149.
You may import 5 per cent more or less rice than the volume stated on your licence. If you should import 5 per cent less than the licence volume you still get your security back. You only get the duty reduction for the quantity that you have a licence for.
How to complete the application
In the online form, be sure to state the correct country of origin on the line for ”ursprungsland”. Also tick the box underneath, called “obligatorisk uppgift”.
On the line “kvot/referensnummer”, state the quota number. This is a six-digit number often written in the form 09.4123. However, do not include the point in the online form.
On the line “KN-nummer”, state the CN code with eight digits. If you got the number from the Customs, it may have ten digits. If so, ignore the last two digits.
On the line “kvantitet”, state the net volume in kilos, not in tonnes. Round it off to the nearest whole number, and do not use any points or commas anywhere. Do not state a larger volume than the one available for the relevant period.
Show a certificate of origin to Customs
When you bring the rice into Sweden, you have to present a certificate of origin to the customs authority. The certificate shall be issued by the competent authority in the country of origin. If you have an export certificate, you do not need a certificate of origin as well.
If the quota is exhausted
If the total volume applied for exceeds the available quota, every applicant will get the same percentage reduction of their quota volumes.
The Commission decides what volumes we may issue licences for. They do this for each quota period, after all applications have been submitted.
The Commission usually makes its decision on the 22th-30th day of the month. The licence takes effect from the 1st day of the month after you apply for the licence.
If you import less rice than the volume on your licence
If you import less rice than you have a licence for, we will either keep a part of your security or you will have to pay a certain sum.
For more information about these countries or products, please contact the Fisheries- and Marketing support unit at the Board of Agriculture.
Special rules for rice from Vietnam and husked (brown) basmati rice from India and Pakistan
Special rules apply to duty-free husked basmati rice from India and Pakistan (CN codes 1006 20 17 and 1006 20 98). Read more further down on this page.
Quotas for husked brown rice
Country of origin | Quota no | Tonnes/year |
|---|---|---|
All countries | 094148 | 1 416 |
Quotas for semi-milled or wholly milled rice
Country of origin | Quota no | Tonnes/year |
|---|---|---|
USA | 17 251 | |
USA | 094116 | 990 |
Thailand | 17 728 | |
Thailand | 094112 | 4 682 |
Australia | 240 | |
India | 094117 | 1 458 |
Pakistan | 094118 | 1 370 |
Other countries* | 094119 | 3 041 |
Other countries* | 094130 | 1 532 |
All countries** | 094138 | - |
All countries** | 094166 | 22 442 |
* Other countries outside the EU besides USA, Thailand, Australia, India, Pakistan and United Kingdom.
** All countries outside the EU except United Kingdom.
Quotas for broken rice
Country of origin | Quota no. | Tonnes/year |
|---|---|---|
Thailand | 094149 | 48 729 |
Australia | 094150 | 14 993 |
USA | 094153 | 8 434 |
Other countries* | 094154 | 11 245 |
Starting from January 1 2021, we no longer handle the quota 09 4152
The quota applies to broken rice from Guyana. The Swedish Customs has taken over that quota as a so-called "first-come-first-served" quota.
Country of origin | Quota no | Tonnes/year |
|---|---|---|
All countries** | 094168 | 28 360 |
* All countries outside the EU except Australia, Guyana, Thailand, United States, United Kingdom.
** All countries outside the EU except United Kingdom.
Quotas for paddy rice
There is also a quota of 7 tonnes of paddy rice under CN code 1006 10. The quota number is 090083.
This is a first-come-first-served quota, which is administered by Swedish Customs. For more information, please contact the quota group at Swedish Customs.
Special rules for rice from Vietnam and husked (brown) basmati rice from India and Pakistan
There are special rules for quota licenses to import rice from Vietnam and husked (brown) basmati rice from India and Pakistan.
Quota for rice from Vietnam
The rules for applying for a quota license for imports of rice from Vietnam differ from the rules for other quotas. Therefore, you should read all information in this paragraph as the other information on this page applies to the other quotas.
By applying for a quota license for the import of rice from Vietnam, you can import the rice without paying any duty. There are three different quotas for rice from Vietnam.
Date of application
You can apply for a quota license for imports of rice from Vietnam on 1-7 every month, except in December. Applications for quota licenses from Vietnam with validity from 1 January next year must be submitted during the period 23-30 November.
Who can apply?
To obtain a license, your company must have its registered office in Sweden and be VAT registered in Sweden.
The license is valid for a certain period of time
The licenses take effect from the first day of the month after you apply for the license. They are valid for four months, but they may not be valid beyond 31 December, which is "the last day of the rice year".
Quotas and item numbers
These quotas are available for rice from Vietnam to apply throughout the EU.
CN-code | Quota number |
|---|---|
1006 10* and 1006 20* | 094729 |
1006 30* | |
Jasmine 85, ST 5, ST 20, |
* The CN-code is the same as "KN-nummer" and must be entered into LICnet with 8 digits.
Show a certificate of authenticity for the Swedish Customs
For quota 094729, 094730 and 094731 you must show, at the time of clearance, a certificate of origin for the Swedish Customs. You do not need to send it to the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
For quota 094731, fragrant rice, you must also show, at the time of clearance, a certificate of authenticity issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam for the Swedish Customs. You do not need to send it to the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
One application for each quota number
You may only submit one quota application for each quota number and month. The application can only contain one CN code. You can therefore not apply for two different CN numbers within the same quota in, for example, the month of August.
Keep this in mind when filling out your license application
- Fill in the country of origin Vietnam on the license application in Licnet and mark the word "yes". The licenses only apply to rice that comes from Vietnam.
- In the field "Quota / Reference number" in Licnet, you must fill in the quota number. (The quota number is in the Table above)
- In the application for a quota license, you must state the number of kilos in whole kilos net weight and the product code with 8 digits.
When you apply for a quota license for the first time, you must ask the Custom Authorities to submit two Excel-files from the Customs Data System to The Swedish Board of Agriculture. You find the information above under the headline:
Requirements for applying for a quota license
This info is valid also for quota rice from Vietnam.
The first time you apply for a quota license, you need to register to be able to use our e-service LICnet. You do this on the registration form for LICnet. Fill in the form and email it to us.
After a few days, you will receive an email from us stating that you are connected to LICnet. You need e-identification to be able to sign the application in LICnet.
You must lodge a security
When applying for a quota license, you must provide a security. The security is EUR 30 per tonne for these three Vietnamese quotas.
You find more information under "How to lodge a security".
If the demand for licenses is high
If the demand for licenses is greater than the quantities available, everyone who applies will receive a reduced quantity that is the same percentage for everyone.
You apply for the license in LICnet
You can apply for the license 2-3 working days after you have paid the security. You can only apply for a license if there is a security that is large enough. You apply for a license in our e-service LICnet.
You find more information under "How to apply for a licence".
Quota for husked (brown) rice from India and Pakistan
The rules for applying for a license to import basmati rice from India and Pakistan differ from the rules for other quotas. Therefore, you should read all information in this paragraph as the other information on this page applies to the other quotas.
By applying for a quota license for the import of basmati rice from India and Pakistan, you can import the rice without paying any duty. This applies to rice that has the product codes 1006 20 17 and 1006 20 98. The rules apply to these varieties:
Import from India
- Basmati 217
- Basmati 370
- Basmati 386
- Pusa (Basmati)
- Ranbir (Basmati)
- Super Basmati
- Taraori Basmati (HBC-19)
- Typ-3 (Dhradun)
Import from Pakistan
- Basmati 370
- Kernel (Basmati)
- Pusa (Basmati)
- Super Basmati
Date of application
You can apply for a license to import basmati rice at any time during the year.
Who can apply?
To obtain a license, your company must have its registered office in Sweden and be VAT registered in Sweden.
The license is valid for a certain period of time
The license is valid from the day when the Swedish Board of Agriculture issues the license. It is valid for the rest of that month and for another two full months. Example: Regardless of whether you receive the license on January 3 or January 21, it is valid until March 31.
Show that you have been importing for more than twelve months
When you apply for a quota license for the first time in the current year, you must submit two extracts from the Customs Data System, stamped and signed by a customs official. The extracts must show that you have traded in rice or rice products with countries outside the EU at least once during the last twelve-month period, and at least once during the twelve-month period before that. This also applies if it was more than two years since you last applied for a quota license.
Address:
Jordbruksverket
Fiskeri- och marknadsstödsenheten
551 82 Jönköping
You must lodge a security
When applying for a quota license, you must provide a security. The security is 70 euros per tonne.
You find more information under "How to lodge a security".
You apply for the license in LICnet
You can apply for the license 2-3 working days after you have paid the security. You can only apply for a license if there is a security that is large enough. You apply for a license in our e-service LICnet.
You find more information under "How to apply for a licence".
If you meet the conditions, you will receive a license for the quantities you apply for. You cannot allow any other company to import rice with your license.
Keep this in mind when filling out your license application
It is important that you specify the country of origin in LICnet and mark Mandatory information with a cross. In LICnet, under Special Information, enter as follows: "Basmati rice with product code xx imported duty free in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 972/2006". Replace xx with either 1006 20 17 or 1006 20 98.
The first time you apply for a quota license, you need to register to be able to use our e-service LICnet. You do this on the registration form for LICnet. Fill in the form, print it out and sign the application, scan it in and send it by post or email to us.
After a few days, you will receive an email from us stating that you are connected to LICnet. You need e-identification to be able to sign the application in LICnet.
Show a certificate of origin for the Swedish Board of Agriculture
To get the license granted, you must send an original certificate of origin to the Swedish Board of Agriculture. When applying for the license in LICnet, remember to check the box "Attach attachments". ("Bilagor bifogas per post".) Then you must send the certificate of origin to us by post.
If the rice comes from India, the certificate of origin must be issued by the Export Inspection Council (Ministry of Commerce, Government of India). If the rice comes from Pakistan, the certificate must be issued by Trading Corporation of Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd. Only certain officials in India and Pakistan are authorized to issue the certificate of origin.
The certificate of origin is valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
When importing the basmati rice, you must show a copy of a customs certificate of origin from the country from which you are importing the rice.
How to apply for a licence
Use our online service LICnet to apply for licences. Before you can apply for a licence, you first need to do this:
- register with LICnet
- get an online identification
Then you need to do this:
- lodge a security
- apply for a licence
Register with LICnet
LICnet is an online service that lets you apply for various licences. Before you can use the service, you need to be a registered user.
Complete this form and send it to
In one or two days, you will get an e-mail from us, confirming that you are now a registered LICnet user.
Get an online identification
You need an online identification in order to sign licence applications in LICnet. If you do not have one already, you need to get one.
An online identification proves who you are on the Internet, and is the online equivalent of your identity card or your driver’s licence. You can get an online identification from your bank or from Telia.
Lodge a security
You have to lodge a security when you apply for a licence. At least 2-3 days before you intend to apply for a licence, you need to lodge a security of 30 euro/ton rice. For broken rice, the security is 1 euro/ton. A security may for instance be cash or a bank guarantee. The point of the security is to ensure that you really intend to import the goods.
Apply for a licence
Standard licence
You can apply for a standard licence on any working day. If you apply before 1 pm, you get the licence on the same day. If your application reaches us after 1 pm, you get the licence the next day.
Quota licence
Applications for import quota licenses must be made during the first seven days of each month during the tariff quota period. It is also possible to apply during the first seven days of the month before the tariff quota period begins. An exception is the month of December. Then you may not apply for import quotas for the first seven days. Quotas that are valid to use from the first of January, you apply from the 23rd to the 30th of November.
When you apply for a quota license for the first time, you must ask the Custom Authorities to submit two Excel-files from the Customs Data System to The Swedish Board of Agriculture. You find the information above under the headline:
Requirements for applying for a quota license
This info is valid also for quota rice from India and Pakistan.
Apply through LICnet
You apply for a licence by using our online service LICnet, in the right-hand column. It you apply before 1 pm, you get the licence in about an hour. If you apply later than 1 pm, you get the licence in the morning of the next working day.
You should wait 2-3 days after lodging your security before applying for a licence, to make sure that we have had time to register your security. You cannot apply for a licence if you have not lodged a security, or if the security is not large enough.
The licence is valid for a limited time
The day your application for a standard license is received by us at the Swedish Board of Agriculture is usually counted as the first day of the license's validity period. The period of validity of a standard import license varies for different products. If the validity of the standard license expires on a non-business day, you can usually use the license immediately following the business day. This does not apply to quota licenses.
In LICnet you can see how long the license is valid.
Validity periods for import quota licenses
For applications submitted before the beginning of the tariff quota period, the period of validity of the license shall run from the first day of the tariff quota period until its last day.
For applications submitted during the current tariff quota period, the import quota license shall be valid from the first day of the month following the submission of the import quota application until the last day of the tariff quota period.
For import quota applications made between 23 and 30 November, the import quota license shall apply from 1 January, up to and including the last day of the tariff quota period.
If the tariff quota period is divided into sub-periods, import quota licenses are valid until the month after the end of the sub-period, but not longer than the last day of the tariff quota period.
Should the period of validity of an import quota license need to be extended due to force majeure (natural disaster or other major event beyond the control of the company), it may not be extended so that it expires after the last day of the tariff quota period.
Request the release of your security once the import is complete
Once you have imported the rice, you can request the release of the security. Releasing a security means that you either get it back or that you can use it again, depending on what type of security you are using. In order for the security to be released, you must have imported the stated volumes.
Use LICnet to request the release.
How to lodge a security
A day or so after you have registered with the online service LICnet, you can pay the security to the bank transfer service of the Board of Agriculture, No 5693-2304. The amount has to be in our account no later than 1 pm if we are to approve the licence application on that day.
Please state the following information:
- the company’s name and organisation number
- if it is a block security or a single security
If you apply for a licence more than once, or if you apply for several licences at the same time, we recommend that you lodge a so-called block security. If you only intend to import rice on a single occasion, you can lodge a single security.
You can let some other company import rice using your licence. However, even if someone else carries out the import, you are still the one who has to lodge a security.