Simplified Customs Procedures in Norway

Companies that regularly import or export goods may be able to use simplified customs procedures in Norway to make customs handling more efficient.

However, “simplified customs clearance” is not one single procedure available automatically to every importer.

The appropriate solution depends on the type of goods, frequency of shipments, customs procedure and authorisations held by the business or customs representative.

TollAgent AS helps companies organise efficient customs clearance for regular imports and exports to and from Norway.

What is simplified customs clearance?

In practice, customs simplification means reducing unnecessary manual handling while still complying with Norwegian customs requirements.

Depending on the operation, this may involve:

electronic customs declarations,
declarations containing reduced information followed by supplementary information where permitted,
customs warehouse procedures,
transit procedures,
authorised consignor or consignee arrangements,
Digitoll,
or other customs authorisations and simplifications.

The objective is to make recurring customs operations faster and more predictable.

Who can benefit from customs simplifications?

Simplified procedures are particularly relevant for companies that:

import goods to Norway regularly,
export goods from Norway regularly,
operate frequent road transport between Norway and the EU,
use customs warehouses,
move goods under NCTS transit,
or process a high number of customs declarations.

For a company importing one shipment per year, establishing additional customs authorisations may provide little benefit.

For a company importing several shipments every week, an organised customs process can save considerable administrative time.

Simplified declarations

In certain situations, customs regulations allow a declaration to be submitted without all information or supporting documents being available at the time of the initial declaration.

The missing information must subsequently be provided through the required supplementary procedure.

This does not mean that the importer can omit required information permanently.

The company remains responsible for ensuring that the final customs information is complete and correct.

Whether this type of simplification can be used depends on the applicable customs rules and authorisations.

Digitoll and simplified border procedures

Digitoll has significantly changed the way goods are handled when entering Norway.

From 15 September 2026, digital notification and disclosure information became mandatory, and the former direct customs clearance procedure (direktefortolling) was discontinued.

Under Digitoll, information about the transport and consignments is submitted electronically before the vehicle reaches the Norwegian border.

Where the customs information has been correctly prepared and linked, Norwegian Customs can process the shipment digitally.

Digitoll should therefore be viewed as part of Norway’s digital customs framework rather than simply as another name for simplified customs clearance.

Regular imports to Norway

Companies importing goods regularly benefit most from having a standard customs workflow.

For example, an importer receiving several shipments each week can establish a process where TollAgent AS receives:

commercial invoice,
packing list,
transport information,
commodity codes,
origin documentation,
and vehicle information

before each shipment reaches Norway.

We can then prepare the customs documentation in advance.

This reduces the risk that the truck arrives at the border while important customs information is still missing.

Example: weekly imports from Poland to Norway

A Norwegian company imports construction materials from Poland three times per week.

The supplier provides standardised invoices and packing lists, while the same categories of goods are imported regularly.

Instead of analysing the entire shipment from the beginning every time, a structured customs setup can be established.

The workflow may include:

agreed documentation from the supplier,
verified commodity codes,
origin information,
electronic customs declaration,
Digitoll information connected with the transport,
and regular document control.

This makes recurring customs clearance more predictable while maintaining the required customs documentation.

Customs warehouse procedures

Another important customs solution is the use of a customs warehouse (tollager).

Goods arriving in Norway can, under the applicable procedure, be placed in a customs warehouse before being released for free circulation or placed under another customs procedure.

This can be useful when:

final customs clearance cannot be completed immediately,
documents are missing,
the final destination or procedure has not yet been determined,
or goods need to remain under customs control.

Customs warehousing is therefore different from ordinary immediate import clearance.

NCTS and authorised consignor or consignee

Businesses involved in frequent transit movements may benefit from customs authorisations connected with NCTS.

An authorised consignor can start certain transit procedures from an approved location without presenting each shipment 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 make regular international transport considerably more efficient.

They are particularly relevant for companies handling a significant number of T1 or T2 transit movements.

AEO – Authorised Economic Operator

AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) is a customs authorisation for businesses that meet specific requirements concerning customs compliance, internal controls, financial solvency and, depending on the authorisation, security.

AEO should not be confused with an individual simplified customs declaration.

It is a separate customs status that can provide benefits in customs operations and demonstrate that the company meets defined compliance standards.

Whether AEO is worthwhile depends on the company’s size, international supply chain and volume of customs activity.

Simplified clearance does not mean less responsibility

Customs simplification does not remove the importer’s or exporter’s responsibility.

The company must still ensure that information concerning:

commodity codes,
customs value,
origin,
quantity,
licences,
restrictions,
and other customs information

is correct.

Norwegian Customs can subsequently inspect declarations and request supporting documentation.

For regular importers, good internal documentation is therefore just as important as fast customs processing.

Can every company use simplified customs procedures?

No.

Some customs simplifications require specific authorisation from Norwegian Customs.

Requirements may include:

established customs routines,
satisfactory internal controls,
correct customs history,
appropriate accounting records,
guarantees,
technical solutions,
or other conditions.

The requirements depend on the particular procedure or authorisation.

For this reason, the first step should be to determine which customs process actually creates a benefit for the company rather than applying for every available authorisation.

What documents are needed for regular customs clearance?

For standard commercial shipments, TollAgent AS will normally require:

commercial invoice,
packing list,
description of the goods,
commodity codes where available,
quantity and weight,
customs value,
country of origin,
transport information,
and any relevant certificates or permits.

For regular customers, we can establish a standard document flow so that the same information does not have to be clarified from the beginning for every shipment.

FAQ – Simplified Customs Clearance Norway

What is simplified customs clearance in Norway?

It is a general term for customs procedures and authorisations that can reduce administrative handling or make recurring customs operations more efficient. The exact solution depends on the company’s customs activities.

Is Digitoll a simplified customs procedure?

Digitoll is Norway’s digital system for submitting transport and consignment information before goods enter Norway. It supports more efficient border processing but should not be confused with one specific simplified customs declaration.

Does simplified customs clearance mean no customs declaration is required?

No. Customs simplifications generally change how or when information is submitted. They do not remove the obligation to provide correct customs information.

What happened to direktefortolling?

The Norwegian direct customs clearance procedure (direktefortolling) was discontinued on 15 September 2026 as part of the transition to Digitoll.

Can a regular importer automate customs clearance?

Parts of the process can be standardised and digitalised. A consistent flow of invoices, commodity codes, transport data and customs information can significantly reduce manual handling.

Can TollAgent AS handle regular customs clearance?

Yes. TollAgent AS provides customs clearance for companies with both occasional and recurring imports and exports.

Regular imports or exports? Build a better customs process

For companies handling frequent shipments, the biggest improvement often comes not from a single “simplified procedure”, but from establishing a consistent customs workflow.

TollAgent AS can help organise the customs process between your:

Supplier → Transport company → Customs agent → Norwegian importer

We assist with:

Regular import customs clearance
TVINN declarations for recurring imports to Norway.

Regular export customs clearance
Export declarations for goods leaving Norway.

Digitoll
Digital transport and consignment information.

NCTS transit
Electronic customs transit procedures.

T1 and T2
Transit procedures for international goods movements.

Customs documentation
Commodity codes, origin documentation and verification of shipment information.

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