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Use of codes for import of living animals, foodstuffs, etc.

There is an obligation to notify the Norwegian Food Safety Authority before these goods can be declared. The declarant must specify the applicable codes on the declaration to specify what types of notifications that have been given to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. 

Import from countries outside of the EU/EEA veterinary area (third countries) may be subject to requirements to an inspection from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority additional to an import permit before the goods can be declared for a customs procedure. According to chapter 4 of the Movement of Goods Act it is not allowed to declare such goods for a customs procedure before the requirements for control have been met and aimport permit has been granted. 

Note that afterthe 1st of January 2023, there isanobligation submit a declaration for the customs warehouse procedure for all goods that are subject to the obligation to have the EU’s health import document, CHED. You will find information about this here (Information in Norwegian).

In the following you will find information about which goods that require the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to be notified before the importation, including which goods require a permit. 

The following types of goods require a permit/notification: 

  • Living animals (also imported from the EU/EEA) 

  • animal products (including foodstuffs containing animal products) 

  • non-animal foodstuffs 

  • animal feedproducts 

Use of codes on the customs declaration for the procedure release for free circulation 

There are two applicable codes used in box 44 on the customs declaration: 

  • V5 – useto declare that the obligation to notify the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has been fulfilled. 

  • VT -useto declare that an import permit has been granted by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (CHED forms) for goods where this is required. 

By using these codes on the customs declaration, you guarantee that the obligation to notify the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has been fulfilled and that the necessary import permit has been granted by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. 

Living animals from the EU/EEA 

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority must be notified. You must declare code V5 in box 44 followed the abbreviation MAT. 

For example, V5 MAT 

If living animals are imported from Iceland, see the section below on animal products and living animals - importation from a third country. 

Animal products and living animals - imported from a third country 

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority must be notified. By declaring code V5 in box 44 on the declaration, (Procedure for release for free circulation), you guarantee that notification has been given. 

In addition, the consignment shall be inspected by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Proof that the inspection has been made is the existence of a CHED form approved by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority`s border inspection posts. You declare the code VT in box 44 with reference to the number of the form. 

For example, 

V5 MAT 

VT CHEDA.NO.2020.XXXXXX (live animals) 
VT CHEDP.NO.2020.XXXXX (products of animal origin) 

It is important that the correct and complete CHED number is provided on the declaration. 

If the Norwegian Food Safety Authority finds that a border inspection should not be carried out, they will submit a statement concerning this. The number on the statement will be used as a reference along with the code VT, and it must  be possible to present it to Norwegian Customs.  

Any reference to CHED may not be made if the shipment is controlled by the competent authority in EU and approved for free circulation. 

Non-animal products - importation from a third country 

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority shall be notifiedBy entering code V5 in box 44 on the declaration (Procedure for release for free circulation) you guarantee that such notification has been given. 

For example, 

V5 MAT 

There is an exemption from the duty for certain types of fruits and vegetables, regardless of which country the goods come from. 

Animal feed products and certain foodstuffs of non-animal origin - importation from a third country

For the importation of animal feed products and certain foodstuffs from third countries, an import permit must be granted by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (CHED-form). Changes to the scope of goods shall be announced by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority four times a year.  

When you declare the code VT as well as a reference to the CHED form in box 44, you guarantee that the consignment has been inspected by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and that they have granted an import permit. 

For example, 

V5 MAT 

VT CHEDD.NO.2020.XXXXX 

Reference to CHED shall not be made if the shipment is controlled by the competent authority in EU and approved for free circulation.