Discusses the distribution network within the country from how products enter to final destination, including reliability and condition of distribution mechanisms, major distribution centers, ports, etc.
Last Published: 7/22/2019

Consumers and businesses alike are very import-oriented in Sweden. To compliment this import-oriented market, Sweden offers American exporters a wide range of methods for the distribution and sale of products.  A very high level of efficiency characterizes the distribution system.  The Swedish Trade Federation (Svensk Handel), is the principal organization for private sector importers and traders in Sweden.  The federation’s membership includes 11,000 member firms active in retail and wholesale trade (including import/export, mail order business, and e-commerce).
The major distribution centers in Sweden are Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmo. Stockholm is the capital and the business center of the country with a metropolitan area population of about 2 million.  The head offices of most Swedish industrial and commercial associations, and most large corporations are located in Stockholm.  Many multinationals also use Stockholm as the base for their headquarters for their Nordic and Baltic operations.

Gothenburg, Sweden's second largest city, is the nation's foremost port for international shipping as well as the largest port in Scandinavia.  Located on the southwestern coast, Gothenburg is also the center of a fast-growing industrial complex representing a wide spectrum of manufactured products.

Malmo and Helsingborg are located at the southern tip of the country, a short distance from neighboring Denmark. Both cities are important ports for Swedish shipping to continental Europe. A bridge between Malmo and Copenhagen physically links Northern Europe with the Continent.

The northern two-thirds of Sweden is sparsely populated, but contains many large industrial sites for forest products, mining, and hydroelectric power.  Major population centers there include Sundsvall, Skelleftea, Lulea, and Umea.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.