There is no customs duty on cosmetics, but you must pay 25 per cent VAT when buying cosmetics from abroad.
Many people buy make-up, shampoos, lotions, perfumes and skincare products from foreign online stores. In principle these goods may be imported to Norway, but as many of the products may containsubstances that are considered medicinal, there may be restrictions and regulations on importation. You must check this before ordering the products.
How much does it cost to import cosmetics?
When buying cosmetics from an online store registered in the VOEC scheme, you will pay 25 % Norwegian value-added tax (VAT) directly to the online store. Read more about the VOEC scheme here.
When buying cosmetics from an online store that is not registered in the VOEC scheme, there is a transitional arrangement, so you don’t have to pay import duty on shipments with a value of less than NOK 350 including freight and insurance. Read more about the transitional arrangement here.
If the shipment has a value of NOK 350 or more, you have to pay 25 % VAT.
The shipping agent, such as Posten, generally demands payment for customs clearance work (often called price for simplified customs clearance, customs clearance fee or handling fee). This is not a fee to Norwegian Customs, but a payment to the shipping agent.