Buying animals abroad

If you want to bring an animal to Norway, you should contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority prior to the trip to determine which rules apply. It is important not to import animals that may have a dangerous infectious disease. See more information on veterinary regulations at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority website

Customs duties and taxes

If you are travelling abroad to buy an animal, you can bring a certain amount of goods without paying customs duties and taxes(animals are regarded as goods in this context). If the total value of the items you declare is less then NOK 6000, you don’t have to pay any taxes or duties. If your trip has been shorter than 24 hours, the value limit is NOK 3,000. More information about the value limit here

Most pets are exempt from customs duties, but you must always pay value added tax of 25 per cent if the value is over the limit. Shipping costs and insurance costs shall also be included in the basis for the VAT-calculation.

The customs duty rate for horses is NOK 5,000 per horse. In addition, you must pay value added tax of 25 per cent. If you have a proof of origin stating that the horse is of EU origin, the duty rate is free. If you wish to import a horse to Norway, you must be registered in advance with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.

See more information on veterinary regulations at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority website

Crossing the border

You must always use the red zone when entering Norway. This means that you cannot travel by train, as it does not stop at the border. If you travel by bus, make sure that the bus stops at the border. If it does not, you must use alternative means of transport. 

An exception applies for persons travelling with a dog, cat or ferret bought in Sweden and where the purchase / value is below the value limit. If you are in possession of the necessary and valid documents, you may use the green channel when entering Norway.

Ban on certain breeds of dogs

It is prohibited to import some dog breeds into Norway. The same applies for semen or embryos from these breeds, as well as mixtures in which one or more of these breeds are included, regardless of the mixing ratio. Dog types that are a mixture of dog and wolf are also considered dangerous dogs, regardless of the mix ratio. See the Law on Dogs Section 1 (in Norwegian).

Likewise, regardless of breed, it is prohibited to import dogs that are particularly aggressive, combative and persistent, and which, because of these characteristics, are dangerous to humans and animals. See the Law on Dogs section 19 (in Norwegian). Read more about Banned dogs on the Norwegian Food Safety Authority website

Threatened animal species

Many bird species, turtle species and reptiles are encompassed by the rules for endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) and the Wildlife Act. Even though the Norwegian Food Safety Authority now permits the importation of certain reptiles, you must make sure that any required CITES certificate is available. 

• Read more about endangered species of wild fauna and flora on the website of the Norwegian Environment Agency
• Read more about what reptiles can be imported on the website of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority