You must investigate the requirements that apply if you want to import an animal that you have purchased abroad.
| 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. |
If you want to import an animal to Norway, you must contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. It is important to not import animals that may have a dangerous infectious disease.
See the veterinary rules on the website of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority
Customs duties and taxes on the importation of animals
If you travel yourself to buy an animal abroad, the value limit for importation free of customs duties and taxes applies. This means that if you have been abroad more than 24 hours you can bring with you goods (animals are regarded as goods in this context) up to a value of NOK 6,000. If your period abroad has been less than 24 hours, the value limit it NOK 3,000.
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.
Read about the importation of horses on the website of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority
Crossing the border
You must always use the red channel 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
Certain breeds of dogs are regarded as dangerous, and therefore importation to Norway is not permitted without a special permit from the police. This means that you must apply to the police for a permit to bring the dog into Norway.
Section 1 of the Dog Regulations, ban on dangerous dogs
Threatened animal species
Many birds 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 what reptiles can be imported on the website of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority