NCTS Norway – Electronic Customs Transit System

NCTS (New Computerised Transit System) is the electronic customs system used for goods transported under a customs transit procedure between Norway, the EU and other countries participating in the Common Transit Convention.

The system allows goods to move across borders under customs supervision without completing import customs clearance at every border they cross.

For companies transporting goods between Norway and the European Union, NCTS is particularly important when using T1 or T2 transit procedures.

TollAgent AS assists businesses and transport companies with NCTS transit procedures connected with Norway.

What is NCTS?

NCTS is an electronic system used by customs authorities to manage and monitor customs transit movements.

Norway participates in the Common Transit Convention together with the EU and other contracting parties.

This allows goods to move under one transit procedure across several customs territories.

Instead of completing import clearance immediately at the first border, the goods can continue under customs control to the customs office or authorised consignee where the transit procedure will be completed.

When is NCTS used in Norway?

NCTS is commonly used when goods:

are transported from the EU to Norway,
leave Norway and move through the EU,
transit through several countries,
are transported to an inland customs location,
or need to remain under customs supervision until final customs clearance.

For example, goods entering the EU in Germany but destined for Norway may move through the EU under a transit procedure rather than being imported into the EU.

NCTS allows customs authorities in the different countries to exchange information electronically and follow the movement until the transit procedure is completed.

Example: transport from Poland to Norway

A Polish company sends commercial goods by truck to a customer in Norway.

The vehicle travels:

Poland → Germany → Denmark → Sweden → Norway

The goods do not necessarily need to be imported into Sweden simply because the truck passes through Sweden.

Instead, an appropriate transit procedure can allow the goods to move under customs supervision to Norway.

When the shipment reaches the relevant destination in Norway, the transit procedure is completed and the goods can proceed to Norwegian import customs clearance.

This is one of the most common practical uses of NCTS for road transport to Norway.

NCTS, T1 and T2 – what is the difference?

These terms are related, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.

NCTS is the electronic system used to manage transit declarations.

T1 and T2 refer to different customs transit procedures/statuses used within the common transit system.

In simplified terms:

T1 is primarily used for non-Union goods moving under customs supervision.

T2 is used in situations involving Union goods where their customs status needs to be maintained during transport through a common transit country.

The correct procedure depends on the customs status of the goods and their transport route.

We explain these procedures separately in our guides to T1 Transit Norway and T2 Transit Norway.

What is an MRN number?

Every accepted transit declaration receives an MRN – Movement Reference Number.

The MRN uniquely identifies the transit movement in the customs system.

It allows customs authorities to retrieve information about the shipment and monitor the transit procedure.

The MRN is therefore one of the most important references for:

the driver,
transport company,
customs representative,
consignor,
consignee,
and customs authorities.

The driver should have access to the relevant transit documentation and MRN during transport.

What information is required for an NCTS declaration?

The exact information depends on the shipment and transit procedure, but a transit declaration can include:

consignor,
consignee,
holder of the transit procedure,
customs offices involved,
description of the goods,
commodity codes,
number of packages,
gross and net weight,
transport information,
vehicle registration number,
seals where applicable,
previous customs documents,
guarantee information,
and planned route.

The information must correspond with the commercial and transport documents.

Incorrect data can result in customs queries or problems when the transit is presented at destination.

What is the holder of the transit procedure?

The holder of the transit procedure is the party responsible for ensuring that the transit movement is completed correctly.

This includes responsibility for:

presenting the goods at the customs office of destination,
complying with the transit conditions,
meeting the required time limit,
ensuring that customs seals remain intact where applicable,
and paying customs debt if the transit procedure is not correctly completed.

This role is therefore more than simply submitting a declaration.

Before opening a transit movement, it should be clear which party will assume this responsibility.

Customs guarantee in NCTS

Transit procedures normally require a guarantee covering the potential customs debt that could arise if the goods disappear or the procedure is not properly completed.

The guarantee can cover potential:

customs duties,
import VAT,
excise duties,
and other import charges.

Businesses carrying out transit procedures regularly may use a comprehensive guarantee, subject to the required customs authorisation.

In other cases, another form of guarantee may be used depending on the procedure.

Customs office of departure and destination

An NCTS transit movement normally has a:

Customs office of departure – where the transit procedure begins.

Customs office of destination – where the goods are presented and the transit procedure is completed.

For goods transported to Norway, the office of destination may be located at the Norwegian border or inland, depending on the procedure and authorisations involved.

This allows goods in certain situations to continue beyond the external border before the transit procedure is discharged.

Authorised consignor and authorised consignee

Companies with the appropriate customs authorisations may simplify transit procedures by becoming an:

Authorised consignor (autorisert avsender)

Authorised consignee (autorisert mottaker).

An authorised consignor can start certain transit procedures from an approved location without presenting every shipment physically at a customs office.

An authorised consignee can receive goods under transit at an approved location and complete the relevant arrival formalities there.

These authorisations can significantly simplify regular transit operations.

What happens when a transit procedure is not closed?

An NCTS movement must be properly completed.

If customs authorities do not receive confirmation that the goods reached their destination, the transit remains open.

This can lead to an enquiry procedure and potentially a claim against the customs guarantee.

Problems can arise when:

goods are delivered without being presented to customs,
the driver goes to the wrong customs office,
the MRN is not properly processed,
the shipment arrives after the transit deadline,
seals are damaged,
or the transport documents do not match the transit declaration.

For this reason, receiving an MRN does not mean that the customs procedure is finished.

The transit must also be correctly discharged at destination.

NCTS and Digitoll in Norway

NCTS and Digitoll are separate systems, but they can interact when goods are transported into Norway under a transit procedure.

For road transport entering Norway, the relevant transit MRN can be referenced in the Digitoll information submitted before the vehicle reaches the border.

This allows Norwegian Customs to connect the transport information with the existing transit procedure.

The exact border procedure depends on the shipment, border crossing and type of transit.

Documents needed for NCTS transit

For a standard transit procedure, we may require:

commercial invoice,
packing list,
CMR or other transport document,
description of the goods,
commodity codes,
quantity and weight,
consignor and consignee details,
vehicle registration information,
previous customs declaration references,
information about the planned route,
and details of the customs office of destination.

Additional information may be necessary depending on the shipment and goods.

FAQ – NCTS Norway

What does NCTS mean?

NCTS stands for New Computerised Transit System. It is the electronic system used to manage customs transit procedures.

Does Norway use NCTS?

Yes. Norway participates in the Common Transit Convention and uses NCTS for electronic transit procedures.

Is NCTS the same as T1?

No. NCTS is the electronic system, while T1 is a type of transit procedure handled through that system.

What is an MRN?

MRN stands for Movement Reference Number. It is the unique reference assigned to a customs transit movement.

Does a transit declaration need a guarantee?

Normally, yes. A guarantee is generally required to secure the potential customs debt during transit.

Does receiving an MRN mean the transit is completed?

No. The MRN confirms the transit movement, but the procedure must subsequently be correctly presented and discharged at destination.

Can TollAgent AS handle NCTS procedures?

Yes. TollAgent AS assists businesses and transport companies with NCTS and customs transit procedures connected with Norway.

Need NCTS transit assistance in Norway?

TollAgent AS provides customs transit services for businesses, importers, exporters and transport companies operating between Norway and Europe.

We assist with:

NCTS transit procedures
Electronic customs transit declarations.

T1 Transit
Transit procedures for non-Union goods.

T2 Transit
Transit procedures where Union customs status must be maintained.

Digitoll
Digital customs information for road transport entering Norway.

Import and export customs clearance
Norwegian TVINN customs declarations.

For regular transport operations, we can also help establish an efficient customs process between the transport company, exporter, importer and customs agent.

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