Exporting to Norway
Exporting to Norway requires both a Swedish export declaration and a Norwegian import declaration, even though the country is part of the EEA.
Laws and rules for exports to Norway
Exporting to Norway means your business needs to understand customs rules and documentation before the goods leave Sweden.
Because Norway is outside the EU, different rules apply from trade within the Union. Errors in customs handling can lead to unnecessary charges, delays or, at worst, goods being stopped at the border.
Although Norway is not an EU member, it is part of the EEA. This brings close cooperation with the EU on trade in goods and services, but does not make trade identical to trade within the EU. You still need to handle customs formalities, submit the correct declarations and ensure all details are correct from the outset.
Your business therefore needs control over customs handling so the goods can enter Norway correctly. This covers both the Swedish export and Norwegian import.
How do I export from Sweden to Norway?
There are several ways to arrange an export, but the easiest is to let us help with the whole process. We ensure the correct information is supplied from the start. Our help includes:
- VAT handling and possible additional costs, including excise duties.
- Customs rules and duty costs for different goods.
- The correct declarations and documents.
- Customs clearance of goods.
- Classification of your goods.
- Advice throughout the process.
If questions or problems arise after dispatch, we can help then too. These may involve enquiries from Norwegian Customs, unclear documentation or other matters that need a quick solution.
Customs rules for sending goods to Norway
Norway is not part of the EU’s common customs territory and is treated as a non-EU country for customs purposes. Within the EU, customs checks and formalities between member states have been removed, allowing goods to move freely once correctly imported and cleared.
Norway is, however, part of the EEA, with close EU cooperation in several areas. Many product rules are therefore similar, but trade does not work exactly as it does within the EU. Reduced duty or other relief often requires compliance with the EEA Agreement’s rules of origin. Some goods have specific rules and some fall outside the agreement altogether.
Incorrect documentation, origin or product compliance may lead to goods being refused by the customs authority in the destination country. More about border crossings and who handles each procedure.
Which customs documents are required?
A Swedish business exporting to Norway needs a Swedish export declaration. In brief, this allows the goods to leave the EU. You also need to arrange, with the buyer, a Norwegian import declaration. We help with both parts.
Five steps to selling to Norway
To make the declaration as quick and straightforward as possible, know which rules and documentation apply to your goods.
1. Apply for an EORI number
EORI is the business registration number used for customs procedures within the EU. You need it to export goods correctly. If you do not have one, apply for it. We can also check whether your business already has a registered number. How to apply.
2. Find the correct commodity code and duty rate
Every item must be classified correctly. The commodity code determines customs handling, document requirements and possible charges. Getting it right from the outset is important.
3. Check the Norwegian requirements
You need to know which import requirements apply to your goods. Some products are subject to specific rules and may require permits, certificates or other supporting documents, for example food, plants, alcohol and certain electrical products. You also need to allow for Norwegian import VAT and any other import requirements.
4. Prepare the correct documentation
A commercial invoice is normally used to show what you are exporting. When goods are sent without payment, a pro forma invoice is often used instead. Documents must contain correct details of the consignor, consignee, goods, value and delivery terms.
5. Check whether you need proof of export
In some situations you need proof that the goods have left the EU. This may apply to temporary exports, returns or requests from an authority for supporting evidence. To obtain proof of export, the export declaration needs to contain the correct information from the outset.
Three conditions for returned goods
Goods sent to Norway and brought back can be reimported without duty and VAT as returned goods. All three conditions must be met at the same time.
- Union goods
- The goods must previously have been Union goods.
- Same condition
- They must return in an unchanged condition.
- Three years
- Reimportation must take place within three years of the date the goods left the Union.
The conditions
The three-year period runs from the date the goods left the Union, not the invoice date. Goods processed or repaired in Norway do not qualify under the returned goods rule; other procedures apply.
What does it cost to export to Norway?
The cost depends on the type of goods, applicable customs rules, any special charges and the size of the delivery. Documentation requirements, classification and transport arrangements also affect the total.
Whether you send a single delivery or have a larger ongoing flow, we develop a solution that suits your business.
Read on
More on how exports work, whatever the country, is on our page about exporting from Sweden.
How the Norwegian declaration is filed before the border is covered on our page about the customs declaration into Norway.
Moving to Norway yourself? Household goods follow different rules. Read about moving to Norway.
The whole customs process for Norway, including for private individuals, is covered in our guide to customs clearance of goods to Norway.
Frequently asked questions about exports to Norway
What is required to export to Norway?
A Swedish export declaration together with a Norwegian import declaration. We can help with both if required.
Is customs duty payable when exporting to Norway?
When exporting to Norway you leave the EU at the border, so customs duty may be payable. However, Norway is an EEA member and free trade applies between Norway and Sweden, meaning the recipient does not pay duty on most goods. Textiles, food and drink are the main categories subject to duty when sent from Sweden to Norway.
What supporting documents are required?
You need a document showing what you are exporting, such as an invoice, pro forma invoice or receipt. If the number of packages and weight are not shown, provide these separately. You must be able to present supporting documents if Swedish Customs asks. The destination country may also have different requirements for invoices and other documentation from those in Sweden.
Can goods be sent to Norway as a temporary export?
Yes. If you are carrying out work, attending a trade fair or sending sample collections, temporary export can often be used. The goods can then be reimported into Sweden without duty and VAT as returned goods.
Three conditions must be met: the goods must previously have been Union goods, return in an unchanged condition, and be reimported within three years of the date they left the Union.
You need to submit an export declaration to Swedish Customs, and proof of export may also be required. For temporary admission into Norway, Norwegian Customs may require advance notification and the correct documents. An ATA carnet can often simplify the process.
Is Norway part of the EEA Agreement?
Yes. The EEA Agreement applies between EU countries and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It provides for free movement of goods, services, capital and people within the EEA, but Norway is outside the EU customs union, so goods must still be declared at the border.
This does not mean that all trade in every type of goods is completely duty-free. Trade is very open for many goods, particularly industrial products, but certain areas have their own rules and exceptions. Agricultural and fishery products are not fully covered by the EEA Agreement.
Is exporting to Norway common?
Yes, very. Norway is Sweden’s second-largest export market, after Germany, Sweden’s largest trading partner for both exports and imports. Swedish goods exports to Norway totalled SEK 203 billion in 2025.
Why export from Sweden to Norway?
Conditions are often favourable from the start. Sweden and Norway share a long history, similar cultures and geographical proximity, making it easier to understand the market and build business relationships. Similar languages also simplify communication. For Swedish businesses, this often means a lower barrier to entry.
