Export from Norway – Customs Clearance and Export Declaration

Exporting goods from Norway to the EU or other countries normally requires the appropriate Norwegian customs procedure.

Before goods leave Norway, the exporter must determine whether an export declaration is required and ensure that the goods are correctly declared to Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten).

TollAgent AS provides professional export customs clearance from Norway for businesses and private customers.

We prepare electronic export declarations in TVINN, verify commodity codes and customs documentation, and help ensure that goods can leave Norway correctly and efficiently.

How does export from Norway work?

Norway is part of the EEA, but it is not a member of the EU Customs Union.

This means that sending commercial goods from Norway to Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland or another EU country is still an export from a customs perspective.

The goods normally require:

• Norwegian export customs clearance,
• appropriate transport documentation,
• an import procedure in the destination country,
• and, where applicable, certificates, licences or proof of origin.

The Norwegian export procedure and the foreign import procedure are two separate customs processes.

For example:

Norway → Sweden

Norway: export procedure
Sweden: EU import procedure

The fact that both countries participate in the EEA does not remove the customs border between Norway and the EU.

Export declaration in Norway

Goods exported from Norway generally have to be declared to Norwegian Customs.

The export declaration contains information including:

• exporter,
• consignee,
• description of the goods,
• commodity code,
• quantity,
• weight,
• value,
• country of destination,
• origin where relevant,
• transport information,
• and the applicable customs procedure.

The declaration is checked by Norwegian Customs.

Once it has been cleared, the goods can proceed under the relevant export procedure.

Export declaration through TVINN

Norwegian customs declarations are submitted electronically through TVINN, the customs clearance system operated by Norwegian Customs.

Businesses can establish their own access to TVINN, but many exporters use a customs representative or forwarding agent instead.

TollAgent AS can prepare and submit the export declaration electronically on behalf of the exporter.

This means that you do not normally need to visit a customs office personally simply to submit the declaration.

What documents are required to export goods from Norway?

To prepare an export customs declaration, we normally need information and documentation concerning both the goods and the transport.

The documents may include:

• commercial/export invoice,
• packing list,
• CMR for road transport,
• Bill of Lading for sea freight,
• Air Waybill (AWB) for air freight,
• exporter details,
• consignee details,
• detailed description of the goods,
• quantity and gross/net weight,
• value and currency,
• commodity/HS code,
• country of destination,
• information about the origin of the goods,
• and any required licences or certificates.

Depending on the type of goods, additional documentation may be necessary.

What should an export invoice contain?

A properly prepared commercial invoice is one of the most important documents in an export shipment.

It should normally contain:

• seller/exporter name and address,
• buyer/consignee name and address,
• invoice number and date,
• detailed description of the goods,
• quantity,
• price,
• total invoice value,
• currency,
• delivery terms where relevant,
• and country of origin where required.

A vague description such as “parts”, “equipment” or “goods” may not provide enough information for correct customs classification.

A more precise description makes it easier to determine the correct commodity code and customs procedure.

Commodity codes for exports from Norway

Every product included in a customs declaration must be classified under the appropriate commodity code in the Norwegian Customs Tariff (Tolltariffen).

The commodity code identifies the type of product being exported.

Correct classification is important because commodity codes can determine:

• export restrictions,
• documentation requirements,
• licences,
• statistical reporting,
• and requirements in the destination country.

Using an incorrect commodity code can lead to customs queries, corrections or delays.

TollAgent AS can assist with the classification of goods for the Norwegian export declaration.

Export from Norway to the EU

Exports from Norway to the European Union require customs formalities even though Norway participates in the European Economic Area.

Typical examples include exports from Norway to:

• Sweden,
• Denmark,
• Germany,
• Poland,
• Lithuania,
• the Netherlands,
• France,
• Italy,
• and other EU countries.

The shipment is exported from Norway and subsequently imported into the EU.

This means that the recipient or its customs representative must also arrange the appropriate EU import customs clearance.

A Norwegian export declaration does not replace the import declaration required in the destination country.

Example: exporting goods from Norway to Poland

A Norwegian company sells machinery to a Polish business.

Before the shipment leaves Norway, TollAgent AS receives:

• commercial invoice,
• packing list,
• information about the goods,
• transport information,
• exporter and consignee details,
• and information required to classify the products.

We prepare the Norwegian export declaration in TVINN.

After Norwegian Customs clears the export declaration, the shipment can proceed out of Norway.

When the goods enter the European Union, the Polish importer or its customs representative completes the EU import procedure.

These are therefore two separate procedures:

Norwegian export → EU import

Export from Norway to Sweden

Sweden is one of Norway’s largest trading partners and one of the most common destinations for road freight.

Despite the open movement of people between the countries, goods transported commercially from Norway to Sweden cross a customs border.

A typical shipment therefore involves:

Norway: export customs declaration
Sweden: import customs declaration into the EU

For road freight, it is particularly important that the customs documentation is prepared before the vehicle reaches the border.

Road, sea and air exports from Norway

TollAgent AS handles customs documentation for different modes of international transport.

Road transport

We handle export declarations for goods transported by truck or other road vehicles, including shipments leaving Norway through major border crossings such as Svinesund, Ørje and Eda.

Transport documentation will normally include a CMR or equivalent freight information.

Sea freight

For sea exports, documentation may include:

• commercial invoice,
• packing list,
• Bill of Lading,
• container information,
• port information,
• and booking or shipment references.

Air freight

For air cargo, documentation typically includes an Air Waybill (AWB) together with the commercial and customs documentation.

We can prepare export customs declarations for shipments leaving through Oslo Airport Gardermoen and other Norwegian airports.

Proof of origin – EUR.1 and origin declaration

Export customs clearance and preferential origin are not the same thing.

A Norwegian export declaration confirms that goods are being exported from Norway.

It does not automatically mean that the goods have Norwegian preferential origin.

Where the conditions of a relevant free trade agreement are fulfilled, proof of origin may allow the importer in the destination country to benefit from reduced or zero customs duty.

Depending on the agreement and value of the shipment, proof of origin may take the form of:

• EUR.1 Movement Certificate,
• an origin declaration on an invoice or another commercial document,
• or another proof provided for under the applicable trade agreement.

For Norwegian exports, an origin declaration can generally be used by any exporter where the value of the originating products does not exceed NOK 65,000. An approved exporter may issue origin declarations regardless of value. For qualifying shipments above the threshold where the exporter does not have approved exporter status, EUR.1 may be relevant.

The exporter must be able to document that the goods actually satisfy the relevant rules of origin.

Is “Made in Norway” enough to claim Norwegian origin?

Not necessarily.

Preferential origin is determined by the rules contained in the relevant trade agreement.

The fact that goods are:

• sold by a Norwegian company,
• stored in Norway,
• shipped from Norway,
• or labelled with a Norwegian address

does not automatically give them Norwegian preferential origin.

The exporter must be able to document that the product satisfies the applicable origin rules.

This may require documentation such as supplier declarations, invoices, production records or information about materials used in manufacturing. Norwegian Customs can subsequently verify issued proofs of origin.

Export restrictions and licences

Certain goods are subject to special restrictions or licensing requirements.

Depending on the product, this may concern areas such as:

• food,
• animals and animal products,
• plants,
• medicines,
• chemicals,
• cultural objects,
• weapons,
• waste,
• dual-use goods,
• and other controlled products.

If goods are subject to export restrictions, the relevant permits must be obtained before export.

It is also important to check the import requirements in the destination country.

Norwegian customs clearance confirms compliance with Norwegian export requirements; it does not automatically confirm that the goods can legally be imported into another country.

Are there exceptions to the export declaration requirement?

Yes.

Although commercial exports normally require an export declaration, Norwegian regulations provide certain exemptions.

Examples identified by Norwegian Customs include certain:

• means of transport that leave Norway and subsequently return,
• low-value professional equipment,
• luggage,
• and other qualifying goods with a value not exceeding NOK 5,000 per shipment, provided that they are not subject to permit requirements.

If goods are subject to restrictions, an export declaration may still be required regardless of their value.

For commercial shipments, it is therefore better to check the procedure rather than assume that a low-value shipment does not require customs clearance.

Temporary export from Norway

Goods that are leaving Norway temporarily may require a different procedure from a normal permanent export.

Examples include:

• machinery sent abroad for repair,
• equipment used temporarily on a foreign project,
• exhibition equipment,
• professional equipment,
• or goods temporarily sent abroad for testing.

In some cases an ATA Carnet may be used.

The correct procedure is important because the goods are expected to return to Norway.

A normal permanent export declaration may therefore not always be the appropriate solution.

What happens if goods leave Norway without an export declaration?

If goods that should have been declared leave Norway without the required export procedure, the situation can become considerably more complicated.

Norwegian Customs provides a procedure for retrospective declarations, but failure to comply with the declaration obligation constitutes a breach of Norwegian customs legislation and may result in sanctions.

It is therefore much easier to prepare the customs procedure before the shipment leaves Norway.

Why is proof of export important?

Export documentation is important not only for customs purposes but also for accounting and tax documentation.

A business should be able to document that goods sold as exports actually left Norway.

This is particularly relevant when documenting the VAT treatment of export sales.

For this reason, exporters should retain:

• export declaration,
• customs clearance information,
• commercial invoice,
• transport documentation,
• and other evidence showing that the goods were transported out of Norway.

Accounting support for companies exporting from Norway

Companies operating in Norway can also obtain accounting assistance from Topnor Regnskap AS.

Accounting support may include:

• bookkeeping of export transactions,
• Norwegian VAT reporting,
• recording of international sales,
• and accounting and tax assistance for companies involved in international trade.

This makes it possible to coordinate the customs documentation with the documents required for correct Norwegian accounting and VAT reporting.

Why use TollAgent AS for exports from Norway?

TollAgent AS provides customs services for companies exporting goods from Norway.

We assist with:

• export declarations in TVINN,
• commodity classification,
• customs and transport documentation,
• origin documentation where applicable,
• road, sea and air shipments,
• communication concerning customs controls,
• and transit procedures where required.

Our customs services are handled remotely, which means that you can arrange the customs formalities without visiting our office.

FAQ – Export from Norway

Do I need a customs declaration when exporting from Norway?

Commercial goods exported from Norway generally require an export declaration.

There are specific exemptions, but they depend on the type, value and purpose of the goods.

Is Norway part of the EU Customs Union?

No.

Norway participates in the EEA but is not part of the EU Customs Union.

This is why goods transported from Norway to an EU country normally require export customs clearance in Norway and import customs clearance in the EU.

What is an EX export declaration?

The term EX is commonly used for an export customs declaration.

In Norway, export declarations are submitted electronically to Norwegian Customs through TVINN.

Can TollAgent AS prepare the export declaration?

Yes.

TollAgent AS can prepare and submit the Norwegian export declaration on behalf of the exporter.

What documents do I need?

For a standard commercial export, we normally need the commercial invoice, description of the goods, value, weight, quantity, exporter and consignee details and transport information.

Packing lists, CMR, Bill of Lading, AWB, certificates or permits may also be required depending on the shipment.

Do I need EUR.1 for every export from Norway?

No.

EUR.1 is not required simply because goods are exported from Norway.

It is relevant when preferential origin is being claimed under an applicable trade agreement and the conditions for using EUR.1 are fulfilled.

Does a Norwegian export declaration cover import into the EU?

No.

Norwegian export clearance and EU import clearance are separate procedures.

The importer in the destination country must ensure that the relevant import formalities are completed.

Can you handle exports from anywhere in Norway?

Yes.

Because export declarations are submitted electronically, TollAgent AS can provide customs clearance services remotely for shipments throughout Norway.

Exporting goods from Norway? TollAgent AS can handle the customs clearance

Whether you export goods from Norway occasionally or on a regular basis, correct customs documentation helps prevent unnecessary delays at the border, port or airport.

TollAgent AS can prepare the Norwegian export customs declaration before your shipment leaves the country.

We provide:

Export customs clearance
TVINN export declarations for goods leaving Norway.

Commodity classification
Assistance with selecting the appropriate commodity codes.

Origin documentation
Assistance with EUR.1 and origin documentation where applicable.

Transport documentation
Verification of CMR, Bill of Lading, AWB and shipment information.

Transit procedures
NCTS and T1/T2 procedures where required.

Import customs clearance
Norwegian import declarations for goods entering Norway.

Customs services can be handled 100% remotely.

TollAgent AS – Customs Agency in Norway
Phone: +47 919 07 836
Email: post@tollagent.no
Organisation number: 934 390 652
Wessels gate 4, 0165 Oslo, Norway