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Customs at Arlanda: Green and Red Channels Explained

Updated 3 min read

Most arriving travellers walk straight past customs without a second thought, but if you're carrying alcohol, food, gifts or anything you're not sure about, it's worth knowing how the system actually works before you're standing in front of the green and red channel signs deciding which way to walk.

This guide explains the green-and-red system in plain terms, points you to the official source for current allowances, and covers what a customs check means for the time before you reach your driver.

How the green and red channel system works

The green channel is a declaration that you have nothing to declare — nothing over the duty-free allowances, and nothing restricted or prohibited. Walking through it is itself a statement to customs, not just a direction to walk. The red channel is for anyone who has something to declare, whether that's goods over the allowance, a large amount of cash, or anything else customs rules require you to declare.

Choosing green when you're actually over an allowance, or carrying something that needs declaring, isn't a shortcut worth taking — get it right by checking the current rules before you decide which channel applies to you.

Where to check the current allowances

Allowances for alcohol, tobacco and other goods differ depending on whether you're arriving from inside or outside the EU, and the exact current figures are set and published by Swedish Customs (Tullverket). Check tullverket.se before you fly for the specific limits that apply to your trip — this guide won't state figures that can change or go out of date, and Tullverket is the only source worth relying on.

If you're genuinely unsure whether something you're carrying needs declaring — an amount of cash, a gift of uncertain value, a food item — tullverket.se also covers those categories, and it's a quick check worth making before you travel rather than guessing at the airport.

  • Green channel: nothing to declare, within all current allowances
  • Red channel: anything over an allowance, or anything that must be declared regardless of value
  • Check tullverket.se for the current, specific allowances before you fly

What a customs check means for your timing

If you're stopped for a check, that adds some unpredictable time before you reach the general arrivals hall — there's no way to estimate it in advance, since it depends entirely on the specific check. Because your pickup time follows your flight's actual landing, and free waiting time is built into every pickup, that time is already accounted for rather than working against your transfer.

If a check runs longer than you expect, message your driver on the number you were sent before pickup, so they know what's happening rather than wondering.

What every Förare booking includes

The fixed price you see before booking is the price on your receipt — 6% VAT included, whole car, not per person.

  • Flight tracked — pickup follows your live arrival
  • 45 minutes free waiting, from your driver's confirmed arrival
  • No terminal fee
  • No surge pricing, ever
  • Free cancellation up to 12 hours

Questions people ask before booking

What are the current customs allowances at Arlanda?

They depend on whether you're arriving from inside or outside the EU and are set by Swedish Customs. Check tullverket.se for the current, specific figures before you fly.

How do I know whether to take the green or red channel?

Green means you're declaring you have nothing over the allowances and nothing that needs declaring. If you're carrying anything over the limit, or anything that must always be declared, take the red channel.

Will a customs check make me miss my driver?

No — your pickup time follows your flight's actual landing, and free waiting time on the pickup covers the unpredictable extra time a check can take.

What should I do if I'm not sure whether to declare something?

Check tullverket.se before you fly, which covers cash, gifts and other categories beyond the standard alcohol and tobacco allowances.

How do I let my driver know I've been delayed at customs?

Message the phone number you were sent before pickup — it goes directly to your driver, who'd rather know than wonder.

Book your Arlanda pickup

Enter the address and you will see the price for the whole car before anything is paid. No account needed.

  • One fixed price for the whole car, 6% VAT included, shown before you pay.
  • 45 minutes of free waiting on every pickup, from the moment your driver confirms arrival.
  • Cancel free of charge more than 12 hours before pickup, refunded in full.
See your fixed priceSee the price list

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