If you have lived abroad continuously for more than one year, you may bring most of your household effects to Norway free of customs duty and other taxes/duties.
You may import your household effects free of duties and taxes if
- you have been abroad continuously for at least one year
- you have owned and used the objects during your stay abroad, and you will continue to use them in Norway
- you are importing the objects in connection with moving to Norway
In order to be exempt from customs duty and other taxes/duties, you must import the household goods within a reasonable time and no later than one year after moving to Norway. The household goods must be for personal use. There are no specific deadlines for how long you have to keep the household goods before it can be sold without losing the customs and tax exemption.
There are other conditions that must be met when it comes to duty free importation of a recreational boat when moving to Norway, see the link below that applies to recreational boats.
You have to submit the declaration to Norwegian Customs when you arrive in Norway to declare your household goods. If you are unable to be present during customs processing, and you have a friend or another private person transporting your household goods, you must ensure that whoever is transporting the goods for you can present the declaration that is signed by you. If you are using a professional moving company, they will ensure that your household goods are Customs cleared by using a Customs broker/agent. A third-party carrier should be equipped with a power of attorney. The goods will not be processed until the declaration has been submitted and is correctly filled in.
In order to simplify customs processing, you have to make an inventory list of your household goods. It does not have to be very detailed. Example:
- Box 1 – Clothing
- Box 2 – Kitchenware
- Box 3 – Toys
- 1 Sofa
- 1 TV
The value of the household goods is of no relevance to the relief from customs duty and other taxes/duties.
The relief from customs duty also applies to import value-added tax (VAT).
Certain goods have special import rules
- Vehicles are not exempt from customs duty and other taxes/duties in connection with moving.
- Recreational boats may be imported subject to certain conditions. More information regarding importing boats.
- Occupational equipment is not exempt from customs duty and other taxes/duties in connection with moving and must be declared.
- Food products are not exempt from customs duty and other taxes/duties in connection with moving and must be declared. There are also separate rules for the import of certain food products. More information regarding the import of food products on the Norwegian Food Safety Authority website.
- Alcohol and tobacco are not exempt from customs duty and other taxes/duties in connection with moving. If you are travelling with the moving load, you may however bring the same duty free quota as other travellers. More information regarding the alcohol and tobacco quota.
- Weapons. You must have a permit from the police. More information at politi.no (Norwegian).
- Plants. There are restrictions on the import of plants. More information at mattilsynet.no.
- Animals. You must contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to check which restrictions apply (for example requirements toward care of pets and vaccinations). More information at mattilsynet.no.