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Export Guide for Beginners

Below is an overview of what you need to think about when exporting goods from Norway to another country.

Note: An update of this article is pending. Please note that some terms and/or references may differ from the Movement of Goods Act and the Customs Duty Act that enters into force from the 1st of January 2023.c

This guide provides the main rules for the export (or removal) of goods from Norway.

How to export goods

Forwarding agents or shipping agents will often be able to take care of declarations and transport on your behalf. A forwarding agent is an individual or organisation that takes care of transport, declarations, and customs clearance on behalf of others.

Even if you use a forwarding agent, you the exporter are responsible for ensuring that the import and customs clearance are carried out in accordance with the regulations.

Remember that in addition to familiarising yourself with the rules for exports from Norway, you must comply with the rules for imports in the recipient country. You must contact the authorities in the recipient country for more information on the regulations that apply there.

Declaring and obtaining customs clearance for goods for export

Before you can export goods, you must obtain permission from Norwegian Customs. This is done by declaring the goods to Norwegian Customs. This applies to all goods that you intend to export out of Norway. Norwegian Customs will give you permission to export the goods by approving the declaration by way of a clearance and serial number.

Forwarding agents are commonly used to declare the goods on your behalf. Forwarding agents are usually linked to Norwegian Customs’ electronic clearance system, TVINN, and submit declarations and obtain clearance electronically using this system.

You can also declare goods yourself at a customs office. You must complete a SAD form. In order to declare the goods you must bring all necessary documentation, such as invoices, shipping documents, and any permits and the like.

Restrictions on exports

Some goods are subject to export restrictions. This means that the goods require a special permit or are subject to special conditions when they are exported out of Norway.

Remember to check with the authorities in the recipient country whether restrictions apply to the import of the goods there.

Taxes on exports

Tax is only payable on the export of fish and fish products.

Transportation of goods

When the goods have been declared and Norwegian Customs has given permission for the export, transport may commence. You are free to choose how you want to transport the goods and who will transport them for you.

Transporting goods through other countries

Some goods are transported through several countries after they leave Norway. The customs authorities allow goods to be transported from a seller in one country through to a customs office in the destination country by transiting several countries along the way. Transiting ensures that the goods arrive at their destination in the receiving country.

Free trade and country of origin

If you use the schemes in Norway’s free trade agreements with other countries, your products may be eligible for lower duties or duty-free status when importing to those countries. We call this “preferential customs treatment”. For the recipient to benefit from preferential customs treatment in the country of import, an origin certificate must accompany the goods.