Welcome
The Abstract
Thesis Introduction
The Aim
Background to the Research Topics
The Research Topics
The Targeted Audience
Disposition
Research Approach
The Thesis in Context
Export Guide Construction
Questionnaire Construction
Information Gathering
The Export Guide
Introduction to the Export Guide
Export Guide Overview
Export Readiness
Trade Condition
Foreign Market Analysis
Questionnaire
Research Results
Export Readiness
Trade Condition
Foreign Market Analysis
Discussion
Export Readiness
Trade Condition
Foreign Market Analysis
Conclusion
Export Readiness
Trade Condition
Foreign Market Analysis
The Next Step
Supplements
Introduction to Sunfoods and Konnyaku-Chips
Site Map
The Complete Interview Answers
Glossary
Sources
Trade Condition
Tariffs in Sweden
As Sweden is a member of the European Union and Japan is not, the EU's tariff named 'TARIC' is claimed to apply to products which are imported to Sweden.(www.ntc.no/cgi-bin/wbch.exe?page_id=13738&d_id=9634 2003-03-10) 'TARIC' is explained to be an EU-adapted, version of the worldwide tariff-system 'Harmonized System'.(www.ntc.no/cgi-bin/wbch.exe?page_id=13738&d_id=9634 2003-03-10) The 'TARIC' tariff system contains over 20, 000 subdivisions due to various export and import regulations.(www.cci.se/exportersguide.htm 2003-02-26) The 'TARIC'-web page asserts that there is no tariff on Konnyaku plant roots and powders thereof, but on the other hand the tariff on some processed plant products can be considered very high (over 20%) as it may include additional tariff for farming components and for sugar contents.(http://tullverket.se 2003-03-12) The Swedish customs claims that by presenting a product to the Swedish them (or the customs of any other EU country) its tariff number and thereby the tariff that apply will be sought out by the customs.(http://tullverket.se 2003-03-12)
Non-Tariff Requirements in Sweden
It is maintained that in addition to possible tariff, value added tax (VAT) for imported products must also be paid at the Swedish customs.(www.ntc.no/cgi-bin/wbch.exe?page_id=13738&d_id=9634 03-03-10) The VAT on foodstuffs sold in Sweden is said to be 12% in most cases but in addition to this it is necessary to pay additional import-VAT when goods are imported to EU countries from non-member countries.(www.rsv.se 2003-02-26)
Health food products such as Konnyaku-Chip may be classed as 'foodstuff' (livsmedel) or 'natural medicine' (naturlakemedel) in Sweden.(www.mat.konsumentverket.se/mallar/sv/utskrift_artikel.asp?IngArticleId=163 2003-02-02) It is explained that importers of health food to Sweden are to contact 'The Swedish Medical Products Agency' ('Lakemedelsverket') to establish whether the product is regarded as foodstuff or as medicine because different rules apply to the different product groups.(www.slv.se/templatesSLV/SLV_page__2931.asp?plus=2382&tree= 2002-02-02) All importers of foodstuff to Sweden are said to be required to be registered at the 'National Food Administration' ('Livsmedelsverket') and further information regarding this, including application material can be found on the agency's homepage.(www.slv.se/templatesSLV/SLV_Page__2931.asp?plus=2382&tree= 2003-02-02) In addition to this, a special permission from the 'National Food Administration' is said to be necessary to advertise foodstuff on the Swedish market with very low energy content for weight control measures.(www.slv.se 2003-02-02) Moreover, a law named 'livsmedelslagen' is claimed to apply to foodstuff and its additives in Sweden.(http://rixlex.riksdagen.se/htbin/thw?%24%7BOOHTML%7D=SFST_DOK&%247BSN 2003/02/02) This law is said to state, among other things, that foodstuff and its additives sold in Sweden must be labeled in Swedish.(http://rixlex.riksdagen.se/htbin/thw?%24%7BOOHTML%7D=SFST_DOK&%247BSN 2003/02/02) The 'National Food Administration' explains that additional rules apply to foodstuff with 'special nutritional purposes', including foodstuff meant to improve consumers digestion and/or metabolism.(www.slv.se 2003-02-02) The administrations further maintains that this type of food must be labeled with its nutritional qualities, the type and the amount of the ingredient that gives the product its special nutritional qualities and the amount of calories, proteins, carbohydrates and fat per 100 grams included in the product.(www.slv.se 2003-02-02) Moreover the administration argues that the product may not be claimed to treat or cure diseases in the labeling or presentation.(www.slv.se 2003-02-02)
Trade Friendliness
It is asserted that Sweden is a member of the European Union and participates completely in the Customs Union and the common trade policies of the union.(www.cci.se/exportersguide.htm 2003-03-23) The Swedish Economy is described as small, open, trade-dependent and characterized by free competition. .(www.cci.se/exportersguide.htm 2003-03-23) It is said that Sweden and Japan have an excellent trade relationship and that both Sweden and Japan aim to increase free trade.(www.swedenabroad.com/pages/general__4446.asp 2003-04-03) In Japan, the governmental agency 'Japan External Trade Organization' is said to promote trade relations between Japan and other nations.(www.jetro.go.jp) 'The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry' is claimed to be in charge of administering Japan's policies covering trade and the Japanese Customs (www.customs.go.jp) is asserted to provide information about trade and tariffs to companies.(www.meti.go.jp/english/aboutmeti/index.html 2003-03-02) (www.customs.go.jp/index_e.htm 2003-03-02) It is argued that when considering importing to Sweden, contacting the 'Invest in Sweden Agency' is advisable as they can support foreign companies with information and useful contacts.(www,smv-portalen.dk/view.asp?ID=1221 2003-02-22) 'The National Board of Trade'('Kommerskollegiet') in Sweden contends that they provide information about Swedish trade policies and other Swedish trade related areas.(www.cci.se/exportersguide.htm 2003-02-26) 'The Swedish Chambers of Commerce' ('handelskammrarna') are said to provide an exporter's guide to Sweden and other trade related information which may be useful for foreign companies.(www.smv-portalen.dk/view.asp?ID=1221 2003-02-02)