During the second quarter, 10.6 million packages were sent from Swedish actors to private individuals abroad. This represents an increase of 16 percent compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year and approximately one million more packages than during the first three months of the year.
In e-commerce, there has long been talk of the sharp increase in so-called "China packages" to Sweden, but we are now also seeing that the number of Swedish packages to abroad is increasing. The growth of Swedish e-commerce companies outside their domestic market is an important and positive aspect of cross-border e-commerce," says Tina Thorsell, public policy manager at Transportföretagen.
"Growing flows across Sweden's borders"
At the same time, the inflow of packages from foreign e-commerce companies remains at an established level. Of the packages that reached Swedish consumers during the second quarter, 32.4 percent originated abroad. According to the report, this development is driven, among other things, by consumption from foreign low-price actors, but the market may be affected in the future by the abolition of tax exemption for packages under SEK 1500 in July 2026.
Growing package flows across Sweden's borders demonstrate how closely trade and the transport sector are linked. Behind the internationalization of e-commerce are transport and logistics companies that ensure that goods reach the customer all the way. As Swedish e-commerce companies grow in new markets, the need for efficient, reliable and competitive transport also increases. This is a prerequisite for Swedish companies to continue to grow internationally," says Tina Thorsell.
Deliveries within Sweden are largely made via parcel pick-up points, which 40 percent of consumers received their latest package at in June. Home delivery accounted for 37 percent of deliveries, while 23 percent of packages were delivered to a parcel locker.
Returns increased
One part of e-commerce that shows clear growth is the second-hand trade between private individuals. During the quarter, just over 8 million second-hand packages were sent, which is a volume increase of over 36 percent compared to the same quarter in 2025.
Regarding returns, just over 5.1 million packages were sent back during the second quarter. The return rate thus increased from 6.4 percent in the first quarter to 7.3 percent in the second, which is a level in line with the corresponding period last year. From a longer perspective, however, the return rate has decreased since 2022, which, according to the report, can be partly explained by increased foreign trade where the return process often involves a higher threshold for the consumer, as well as growth in product categories with historically fewer returns.