Customs and import to Oslo

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When passing through customs, there are two lines: "Nothing to Declare" and "Goods to Declare". By passing through the red lane, you are indicating that you are carrying goods subject to customs and excise duty and/or which require a special import permission. Choosing the green lane indicates that you are only carrying items free of customs and excise duty and that you are not carrying items requiring any special import permission. If in the green line, you may still be selected for random inspection.

For more information on customs, go to the official Norwegian customs site http://toll.no/

Rules for Exemption from Customs and Excise Duties

If you have been outside Norway for at least 24 hours, you may bring with you goods representing a total value of NOK 6000 free of customs and excise duties.
If you have been outside Norway for less than 24 hours you may once within these 24 hours bring with you goods representing a total values of 3000 free of customs and excise duties. This does not include alcohol or tobacco products unless you can prove that these have been purchased with at a price including tax (not duty free) in an EEA country.

Alcohol

Only persons over the age of 18 are allowed to import alcoholic beverages. For importing alcoholic beverages with more than 22 percent alcohol per volume, the minimum age is 20.

1 litre of beverages with more than 22 up to and including 60 percent alcohol per volume as well as 1,5 litre with more than 2.5 up to and including 22 percent alcohol per volume or 3 litres with more than 2.5 up to and including 22 percent alcohol per volume.
2 litres of beer with more than 2.5 or other beverages with more than 2.5 up to and including 4.75 percent alcohol per volume.

Tobacco

The minimum age for importing tobacco products is 18 years.

200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products and
200 leaves of cigarette paper

Meat, meat products and cheese

A total of 10 kg of meat and meat products, cheese and foodstuffs except dog and cat food.

Animals

Norway is one of the few European countries where rabies is not found. Dogs, cats and ferrets from all EU countries except Sweden must have pet passports, ID marking, valid rabies vaccination, and valid blood-test documentation. Dogs and cats must also be given approved tapeworm treatment during the week before and the week after importation.

Small rodents, cage birds and rabbits must have valid import permits issued by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.

The Norwegian regulation is based upon corresponding legislation in the European Union, according to the EEA-agreement. The regulation (only in Norwegian) and corresponding EU-legislation (English version) is available under "Links".

Currency

When entering Norway, a total currency of NOK 25,000. If the currency you are carrying exceeds this amount, it has to be declared on a form available from the customs authorities. There is no limit on travellers' cheques.

Plant

Import of agricultural products is subject to special import restrictions to avoid among others the spreading of diseases of plants and domestic animals.

    The following fruits, berries, plants and parts thereof may be imported for private use without a health certificate issued by the plant inspection service of the respective country of origin:
  • Up to 25 cut flowers
  • up to 10 kg fruits, berries and vegetables but not potatoes
  • up to 3 kg flower bulbs and tubers
  • up to 5 potted plants (house plants) from European countries
  • up to 50 packets of seeds

Motor Vehicles

Motor vehicles subject to the regulations for single taxation of motor vehicles upon importation cannot be brought into the country customs and excise free. Border therefore has to be crossed in the red lane.

More information available on the Norwegian customs site about vehicles.

Prohibited Items

  • Drugs, medicines and poisons (minor quantities of medicine for personal use are permitted)
  • Alcohol over 60 percent per volume
  • Weapons and ammunition
  • Fireworks
  • Potatoes
  • Mammals, birds and exotic animals
  • Plants/parts thereof for cultivation

If you are entering Norway with impermissible items, or goods or currencies in excess of the permitted limit, you have to notify the customs authorities accordingly of your own accord. It is a punishable offence to give incorrect information to the customs authorities.

Update 17/08/2010


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