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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

NO / NOR

NorwayNorge / Noreg

VERIFIED ยท 2026-07-01
CODENO
ISO3NOR
REGIONEUROPE
VAT25%
CURRENCYNOK
DE MINIMISN/A
CASH THRESHOLDUS$25000

Overview

Norway's customs administration is the Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten), a federal agency under the Ministry of Finance. Tolletaten operates at Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), Bergen Flesland (BGO), Trondheim (TRD), Stavanger (SVG), Tromsรธ (TOS), and other international airports; the ports of Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, Larvik, and numerous smaller coastal facilities; and land border crossings with Sweden (Svinesund and numerous other crossings) and Finland (Karigasniemi, Storslett), plus the Russian border at Storskog (with severely restricted crossings since 2022).

Norway is outside the EU customs union and single market but inside EFTA and party to the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, giving Norway the four freedoms (goods, services, capital, persons) with the EU while operating an independent customs administration. Norway is a Schengen state.

Arriving travellers complete the Tolletaten declaration or use the customs kiosk at airports. The personal allowance is goods up to NOK 6,000 for stays of 24+ hours (NOK 3,000 under 24 hours), with detailed allowances for alcohol (typically 1 litre spirits + 3 litres wine + 2 litres beer for over-20/18 respectively) and tobacco (200 cigarettes or equivalent). Above the threshold, MVA (VAT) at 25% standard, 15% on food and non-alcoholic beverages, 12% on transport, cinema, hotels, broadcasting, 0% on books, newspapers, electric cars, ships, aircraft, and electricity in Northern Norway) and customs duty apply.

Norway's alcohol policy is distinctive: Vinmonopolet operates a state alcohol monopoly for retail sales above 4.7% ABV. Personal-import allowances are highly enforced at Norwegian ports and airports.

For commercial imports, Tolletaten operates the TVINN (Norwegian Customs Declaration System) electronic clearance platform. Importers register with a Norwegian EORI-equivalent identifier and file electronic declarations. Norway applies customs duty at 0% on most industrial goods from EU/EEA under the EEA framework, with the standard Norwegian tariff applied to third-country origins. Agricultural products face higher tariff protection.

Tariff policy: Norway is an EFTA member alongside Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Norway has extensive EFTA-negotiated FTAs with 30+ trade partners globally.

Some product categories require additional clearance. Legemiddelverket (Norwegian Medicines Agency) regulates pharmaceuticals. Mattilsynet handles food, SPS controls, and animal health. Nkom type-approves radio equipment. Miljรธdirektoratet handles CITES.

Norway's export economy is dominated by oil and gas (Equinor, Aker BP), fish and seafood (world's second-largest fish exporter), aluminium and metals, ships and shipping services. The oil-and-gas sector has driven Norway's sovereign wealth fund to substantial size.

Currency declarations are required above NOK 25,000 on entry or exit.

Some categories are enforced: cultural artifacts (Norwegian stavkirke and other cultural heritage), CITES products (Norway's whaling and sealing sectors operate under international-treaty exceptions), drugs and narcotics.

Postal-import handling is via Posten Norge. Above the low-value-import threshold, VAT is collected on delivery via the VOEC (VAT On E-Commerce) scheme for overseas sellers on parcels under NOK 3,000.

Prescription medications follow a personal-use framework: prescribed medication accompanied by the prescription is generally accepted; controlled drugs require Legemiddelverket advance authorisation.

Recent regulatory changes include continued modernisation of TVINN, the VOEC scheme for overseas-vendor VAT collection, and reinforced Norwegian-Russian border management following the 2022 restrictions.

For authoritative current rules, travellers and importers should consult www.toll.no and www.udi.no.

Customs authority

Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten)Official site

Duty-free allowances (arriving travelers)

CategoryAllowance
Alcohol1L
Cigarettes200
Personal goods valueUS$600
Travelers aged 20+ (spirits) / 18+ (wine + beer) may bring 1 L spirits OR 1.5 L wine + 2 L beer + 200 cigarettes / 250 g loose tobacco duty-free. Personal goods up to NOK 6,000 (โ‰ˆUSD 600).

De minimis import threshold

USD EQUIVALENT

N/A

LOCAL CURRENCY

0 NOK (since 2020 reform)

AS OF

2020-04-01

Norway abolished its NOK 350 personal-import duty-free threshold in April 2020. All commercial parcels attract 25% MVA + customs duty. VOEC scheme requires foreign sellers to register and collect VAT for parcels under NOK 3,000.

Cash declaration

THRESHOLD (USD)

US$25000

LOCAL AMOUNT

NOK

Arrival formalities

CURRENCY

NOK โ€” Norwegian krone

DECLARATION FORM

Norwegian Customs Form (RD-0019 personal effects)

PRE-ARRIVAL SYSTEMS

STANDARD COMMERCIAL IMPORT DOCUMENTS

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Bill of lading or Air Waybill
  • Country of origin declaration (or Certificate of Origin for FTA preferential entries)
  • TVINN Norwegian Customs declaration
  • Norway EORI

Restricted categories

  • RESTRICTEDFirearms (police permit + EU Firearms Pass)
  • RESTRICTEDPharmaceuticals (Helfo permit)
  • RESTRICTEDCultural property
  • RESTRICTEDCurrency over NOK 25,000

Prohibited categories

  • PROHIBITEDNarcotics
  • PROHIBITEDCounterfeit goods
  • PROHIBITEDCITES-listed species
  • PROHIBITEDAsbestos products

Special notes

  • Norway is NOT in the EU but is in the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area (EEA).
  • VOEC (VAT On E-Commerce) scheme: foreign sellers register to collect 25% VAT at point of sale for parcels under NOK 3,000.
  • Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK).

Import documentation

  • โ€”EU/EEA Customs Declaration
  • โ€”EU Firearms Pass + Norwegian police permit
  • โ€”Helfo permit for non-EEA medications

Posting restrictions

Posten Norge + Tolletaten handle inbound at OSL. All parcels attract 25% MVA + customs duty.

Top documented rules

10 of 20

Active Free Trade Agreements

Airports

  • OSLOslo Gardermoen Airport
  • BGOBergen Airport

Land borders

  • Sweden โ€” Schengen.
  • Finland โ€” Schengen.
  • Russia โ€” Storskog-Borisoglebsky; commercial volumes restricted post-2022.

Leaving Norway

Petroleum, natural gas, fish, aluminium. Cultural property requires Ministry of Climate and Environment permit.

RESTRICTED EXPORT

  • Cultural property

Regulatory timeline

  • Norway abolishes NOK 350 personal-import duty-free threshold; VOEC scheme requires foreign sellers to register. toll.no

Known scams

  • Fake Posten Bring SMS phishing requesting a small NOK fee to release an arriving parcel. Posten does not collect fees via SMS link. toll.no

DECLARATION FORM LANGUAGES

no, en

Top item rules for Norway

Source: rules indexed for Norway. See full rule list under the relevant traveling, posting, and importing hubs.

Frequently asked questions

How much alcohol can I bring into Norway duty-free?

Travellers arriving in Norway may bring 1 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Travelers aged 20+ (spirits) / 18+ (wine + beer) may bring 1 L spirits OR 1.5 L wine + 2 L beer + 200 cigarettes / 250 g loose tobacco duty-free. Personal goods up to NOK 6,000 (โ‰ˆUSD 600).

How many cigarettes can I bring into Norway?

200 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Do I need to declare cash entering Norway?

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 25000 (NOK) must be declared on arrival.

What is Norway's de minimis import threshold?

0 NOK (since 2020 reform). Norway abolished its NOK 350 personal-import duty-free threshold in April 2020. All commercial parcels attract 25% MVA + customs duty. VOEC scheme requires foreign sellers to register and collect VAT for parcels under NOK 3,000.

Is VAT or GST charged on imports into Norway?

MVA 25% standard; 15% food and non-alcoholic beverages; 12% transport, cinema, hotels, broadcasting; 0% books, newspapers, electric cars, ships, aircraft, electricity (Northern Norway). Outside EU; imports from EU clear under EEA agreement.

Can I bring prescription medication into Norway?

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten) for your specific medicine.

Can I send gifts by post to Norway?

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Norway's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 โ€” undervaluation is treated as fraud.

What documents do I need to import commercially into Norway?

A customs declaration filed with Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

What happens at Norway's red and green channels?

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

What items are prohibited in Norway?

Narcotics; Counterfeit goods; CITES-listed species. See the full prohibited list on this page.

What items are restricted into Norway?

Firearms (police permit + EU Firearms Pass); Pharmaceuticals (Helfo permit); Cultural property. Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

How do I declare goods on arrival in Norway?

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Norway accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Can I bring food into Norway?

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Can I bring vape devices or e-cigarettes into Norway?

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Norway may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten) guidance before travel โ€” bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Can I bring medicines containing controlled substances into Norway?

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Norway's health authority before travel.

Are duty-free purchases on arrival counted in my allowance?

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

What happens if a parcel arrives over Norway's de minimis?

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Can I refuse to pay duties and return a parcel?

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Norway.

How long does customs clearance take in Norway?

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Who do I contact if my parcel is held by Norway customs?

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact โ€” they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten) via the contact route on their official site.

What are common customs scams to watch for in Norway?

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.

Verify against Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten) before acting on any answer. Customs rules change frequently.

More for Norway

Top inbound origins

Countries whose travelers most often arrive at Norway.

VERIFIED ยท 2026-07-01

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RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES46UNIQUE SOURCES645LATEST VERIFICATION2026-07-26MethodologyChangelog