duty-free liquor into Sweden

You cannot purchase duty-free on arrival in Sweden. You cannot purchase duty-free in Copenhagen because both Sweden and Denmark are in the EU, a common customs area. The only way to buy duty-free in Copenhagen would be if you were travelling to non-EU country. You can buy duty-free when you depart from the U.S. since you will be travelling outside of the U.S. However, because you have a connecting flight, this will not work. When you go through security in Copenhagen, you will not be allowed to carry more liquid than what fits in your plastic ziploc bag. Given your situation, the only way to bring liquor into Sweden from the U.S. would be if that liquor were in your checked bag. So if you want to bring a bottle of liquor in then buy it at a store in Ohio and put it in your checked bag. You may only bring 1 litre of liquor per person from outside the EU into Sweden. In Sweden, you can only buy alcohol at a state-run store called the Systembolaget. If you want to compare prices, a one-litre bottle of Absolut vodka from the Systembolaget costs 349 kronor which is about $50. Taxes are based on the percentage of alcohol, so beer and wine are less expensive. A 330 ml bottle of Carlsberg Export beer is 13.9 kronor or about $2. Prices are a lot higher in bars and restaurants.

Thanks so much, Laura! That's exactly what I needed to know - and very clearly explained! We'll skip it & move on to arranging other details.
Susan

Liquor taxes are much less in Copenhagen than Sweden. Swedes living in border areas will make day trips to Denmark to buy their boos. So if you can, buy in Copenhagen.

Doug has a good point. You won't be able to buy at the duty free price in the airport in Copenhagen, but you may be able to buy a bottle at the regular price. That will still be cheaper than in Sweden. It has been a while since I've been to CPH, so don't know what the selection is like.

Good to know - thanks, Laura & Doug!

Helsingor, north of Copenhagen, has a ferry to/from Sweden. It's normally packed with Swedes taking a day trip to shop liquor stores in Denmark. You're probably best following their example and pick up liquor in Denmark. I did find reasonably priced EU wines, particularly French wines, in Scandinavia.

Susan, there are no duty free shops on arrival in Sweden even if you are coming from the USA. If you want to know your allowances I think there is a duty free on arrival website which tells you everything you need to know on entering any country by air, land or sea.... good luck.

Increasingly you are able to transit with duty free liquids as hand luggage providing they are within a tamper-free bag. For example if you are on an EU airline and buy from this is allowable for transit throughout the EU. Rules are always`subject to change.