Useful information about customs

Customs clearance when sending items abroad

As a general rule, all consignments containing more than one standard letter must be cleared through customs. Customs documentation must accompany the consignment.

On the whole, all consignments containing more than one standard letter must be cleared through customs. The customs authorities require that the customs documentation shows the contents and value, and accompanies the consignment. Use our self service solution and complete the electronic address card with the customs information and pay the postage. At Posten you can collect address cards for consignments to be sent abroad and manually enter the customs information. The price is lower in the self-service solution.

Norwegian Customs require the contents of the consignment to be cleared through customs/declared in the following cases:

  • Contents with a value of NOK 5000 or more, without restrictions.
  • Contents that require temporary export, such as items for repair.
  • Contents that are returned, such as refunds or temporary import.

And remember that incorrect documentation can delay or stop the consignment!

Lack of information at customs

Customs export clearance often requires detailed information on goods and the  sender. It is possible that the information provided with the shipment is not sufficiently detailed. Then Posten will contact you. In the message you receive, we state what we are missing and what you need to do in order for Posten to declare the shipment for you. You can submit missing information here.

Pending response from you, the consignment is stored at Posten's customs warehouse. The response deadline is 14 days before we return the shipment to you.

Parcels

Save time and money by filling in the customs declaration and prepay the freight online

When you send parcels abroad, customs clearance is included in the price you pay to send the consignment All consignments send out of Norway must undergo customs clearance. See separate rules for Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

The customs authorities, both in Norway and in the recipient country set the requirements for the customs documentation required. If information is missing or the documents are incomplete, your consignment may be delayed. As the sender, you are responsible for attaching correct information about the contents of the consignment.

Letters

Save time and money by filling in the customs declaration and prepay the freight online

All letters that have a value and are sent out of Norway must undergo customs clearance. See separate rules for Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

The customs authorities, both in Norway and in the recipient country set the requirements for the customs documentation required. If information is missing or the documents are incomplete, your consignment may be delayed. 

Your responsibility

As the sender, you are responsible for attaching correct information about your consignment It is therefore important that you investigate what is  allowed to export in the country you are sending your consignment to, so that you can be sure that the consignment will arrive.

Sanctions implemented in the event of the war in Ukraine

Russia's war against Ukraine is ongoing. The current war situation affects customs handling, among other things with a number of export and import bans. We recommend our customers, who trade with Russia, Belarus and certain areas of Ukraine, to use the following channels to obtain the latest updated information on what applies at any given time.

Norway:Import and export restrictions against Russia – Norwegian Customs

Sweden: Ukraine War and Customs Administration – Swedish Customs

Denmark: The situation in Ukraine – Danish Customs

Question & answers

  • All parcels to foreign countries must undergo customs clearance, where assessment is made of whether the consignment should be liable for customs duty.

    If the consignment lacks documentation showing the contents and value of the consignment, we have to stop it and ask the sender to provide the necessary documents or information about the contents of the consignment. In order to avoid stoppages and delays, it is always important to ensure that a customs invoice is completed and included with the consignment. The parcel will be returned to the sender after 14 days.

  • The customs rules state that all goods have a value, so there is a requirement that all consignments that are going out of Norway have documentation showing the contents and value of the consignment. If you require a replacement product or need to repair your product abroad, you will be able to avoid paying new import duties (VAT) when you receive the consignment back.

  • According to the customs authorities, all goods have a value and thus the value must be stated.

  • The customs authorities' rules for how and what has to undergo customs clearance apply to all consignments. Posten follows the rules given by the customs authorities.

  • Norway Customs requires that the national identification number is registered for import and export customs clearance. This is to identify private individuals who do business abroad.

  • Customs information must be completed in detail to avoid any stoppages in the customs clearance process. Different rules in the different recipient countries mean that detailed content descriptions are generally required. For consignments to be sent abroad, we recommend our self-service solution.

  • The different recipient countries have different regulations for what is required in terms of import duties. Contact the recipient country's embassy for information about the fees charged.

  • For consignments to be sent abroad, the customs clearance cost is included in the shipping price/postage.