You will find information below for how to proceed when exporting a car or other vehicle abroad, for example after selling a vehicle or when taking your own vehicle out of Norway in connection with moving.
| 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. |
1. Before exporting the vehicle
Is the vehicle considered waste?
If you are going to export a car or another vehicle that can be considered a wreck/waste (lacking EU approval), you can read more on the Norwegian Environment Agency's website.
Read more about this on the Norwegian Environment Agency's website (in Norwegian)
Is the vehicle manufactured before 1950?
If you are going to export a car or other vehicle produced before 1950, it can be considered a cultural heritage object. You have to then check with the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology to see if an export permit is required.
Read more about this on the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology's website (in Norwegian)
Military vehicles
If you are going to export a military vehicle, you have to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if an export permit is required.
Read more about this on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website
EUR1
In some cases, the import country's customs authorities may ask if you have or can provide proof of origin/EUR.1 movement certificate. This will be necessary to import the vehicle duty free. There are specific regulations as to when the Customs can authorise an EUR1 document when a used motor vehicle is exported.
Read more about this here
Other documents/other documentation:
- We recommend that you contact the customs authorities in the country you are importing the car to to check whether any documents are required for customs clearance there.
- The original vehicle registration or COC (certificate of conformity) and possibly proof of purchase/sales contract or an appraisal/valuation.
- Any other documentation the Customs finds necessary for the export declaration.
Refund of Norwegian fees
In certain cases, portions of the one-time fee for cars that were first registered in Norway from June 26, 2014 and later may be refunded.
Read more about this on the Norwegian Tax Administration's website
2. If the value is NOK 5,000 or lower
Then you generally do not need to declare the vehicle to the Norwegian Customs Administration (export declaration).
However, you must declare the vehicle if it is
- considered waste
- produced before 1950
- considered a military vehicle
See the next item for information on where to get the export declaration and which documents you need to bring with you.
3. If the value is over NOK 5,000
Then you have to declare the vehicle to the Norwegian Customs Administration for export (export declaration). You will be issued a customs declaration at one of our customs offices. You can also contact a shipping company that can assist you with the declaration.
You will need to bring with you:
- The original registration showing that the vehicle is registered in your name (or the COC).
- Possibly the sales contract or an appraisal/valuation.
- A personal identity document.
- Possibly a permit from another agency if necessary (see item 1 - Before exporting the vehicle)
4. Different types of vehicle number plates
- Norwegian trade plates: These can be used in some countries. Contact the Norwegian Public Roads Administration for information. Read more about this on the Norwegian Public Roads Administration's website.
- Norwegian number plates: If the car is going to be exported with Norwegian number plates, you need to contact the Norwegian Public Roads Administration for information about later deregistration. Read more about this on the Norwegian Public Roads Administration's website.
- Export number plates (special registration) : These number plates are mainly issued only to new cars. The police are responsible for issuing export number plates, so you need to contact them for more information.
5. When you cross the border
You have to stop at the border and present the export declaration. If this has not been made at a local customs office, it must be made at the border, either by us or the shipping agent.
An overview of border crossings and their opening hours can be found here
6. The Customs do not certify (stamp) export declarations retrospectively
If you have an export declaration which was not certified (stamped) by Customs at the time of export, the Customs cannot certify this retrospectively – after the goods have been taken out of Norway. The Customs' certification on an export declaration must be done at the time of export – when the goods are taken out of the country. This is a confirmation from Customs that the goods are being exported (taken out of Norway) at the time of certification.
If you have not ensured that you have got this certification at the time of export, the Customs has in effect been deprived of the possibility of physical control of the goods, og thus we cannot confirm that the goods in the export declaration in fact have been taken out of Norway.
Therefore, we cannot certify the declaration retrospectively.
Partial refund of the one-off registration tax
It is the Norwegian Tax Administration that processes applications for partial refunds according to «Forskrift om engangsavgift på motorvogner» Section 7-3.
Section 7-3, fourth paragraph states:
Export of the motor vehicle must be documented by a certified export declaration. When calculating the refund amount, the date of the export declaration shall be used as a basis. In special cases, the tax office can waive the requirement for a certified export declaration if the export is documented in another satisfactory way.
This is a matter between you and the Tax Administration.
We remind you again that you must check with the customs authorities in the country you are importing the car regarding which rules apply there and what kind of documentation is required.