How to Ship from the US to Norway: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Norway is a Scandinavian nation of approximately 5.5 million people known for its stunning fjords, high quality of life, and strong economy powered largely by oil and gas revenues. A critical fact that many shippers overlook is that Norway is NOT a member of the European Union. While Norway is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and participates in the European single market for goods, it maintains its own customs authority (Tolletaten), its own VAT system, and its own import regulations that differ from EU rules in important ways.

Norway was actually a pioneer in taxing low-value imports, introducing its VOEC (VAT on E-Commerce) system in April 2020, more than a year before the EU launched its similar IOSS system. Under VOEC, foreign online sellers with annual sales exceeding NOK 50,000 to Norwegian consumers must register for Norwegian VAT and collect it at checkout. This system covers goods valued up to NOK 3,000 (approximately $280 USD).

Norway's customs threshold and processing differ from EU countries, and the Norwegian krone (NOK) is used rather than the euro. Understanding Norway's unique position outside the EU while being deeply integrated with European markets is essential for successful shipping from the US.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Norway

USPS (United States Postal Service)

USPS provides good service to Norway. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days, First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4.4 pounds in 7 to 21 days, and Priority Mail Express International delivers in 3 to 5 business days. Posten Norge (the Norwegian postal service) handles last-mile delivery.

UPS

UPS Worldwide Express delivers to Norway in 2 to 3 business days, with Worldwide Saver at 2 to 4 days and Worldwide Expedited at 3 to 5 days. UPS has a strong presence in Norway and provides comprehensive customs brokerage that navigates Norway's non-EU customs system.

FedEx

FedEx International Priority delivers to major Norwegian cities in 2 to 4 business days, with International Economy at 4 to 6 days. FedEx handles Norwegian customs clearance and can process the specific documentation Norway requires.

DHL Express

DHL Express Worldwide delivers to Norway in 2 to 4 business days. DHL is particularly well-suited for Norwegian shipments because they have extensive experience with non-EU European customs systems and maintain strong relationships with Tolletaten.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Estimated costs for a 5-pound package from the US East Coast to Oslo:

Delivery to northern Norway (Tromso, Bodo, Hammerfest) may take 1 to 3 additional days and incur remote area surcharges of $10 to $25. Using atoship commercial rates provides savings of 40% to 89%.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

Norway has its own customs system separate from the EU, managed by Tolletaten (Norwegian Customs).

VOEC (VAT on E-Commerce)

Norway's VOEC system, launched in April 2020, requires foreign online sellers with annual sales to Norway exceeding NOK 50,000 to register for Norwegian VAT and collect 25% VAT at checkout on goods valued up to NOK 3,000 (approximately $280 USD). If VAT is collected via VOEC, the goods clear Norwegian customs without additional VAT charges. If the seller is not VOEC-registered, Posten or the carrier collects VAT from the receiver at delivery.

De Minimis Threshold

Norway eliminated its NOK 350 de minimis VAT exemption on imported goods in April 2020 when VOEC was introduced. Now, all imported goods are subject to 25% VAT from the first krone of value, regardless of how little they are worth. However, customs duties are only charged on goods valued above NOK 3,000 (approximately $280 USD). This is a notably higher duty threshold than the EU's 150-euro limit.

Customs Duties

Norway applies its own tariff schedule, which differs from the EU Common Customs Tariff:

Norway protects its agricultural sector with extremely high tariffs on food products. Imported meat, dairy, grains, and many processed foods face duties ranging from 20% to over 400%. This protectionist policy makes shipping food to Norway extremely expensive for most categories.

Norwegian VAT (Merverdiavgift/MVA)

Norway's standard VAT rate is 25%. Reduced rates apply to certain categories:

The 0% VAT on books and the 15% reduced rate on food are notable benefits. However, the high customs duties on agricultural food products often negate the VAT savings on food items.

Required Documentation

Shipments to Norway require a commercial invoice or customs declaration, detailed item descriptions with values in NOK or USD, HS tariff codes, country of origin, VOEC registration number if VAT was prepaid, total weight and dimensions, and sender and receiver full contact details.

Norwegian customs requires more detailed documentation than many countries. Vague descriptions like "clothing" or "gifts" are not sufficient. Each item must be described specifically, such as "men's cotton t-shirt" or "ceramic coffee mug."

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Norway prohibits the import of narcotics and controlled substances, weapons and ammunition without police permits, certain dog breeds (Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog), products containing endangered species, meat and dairy products without Norwegian Food Safety Authority approval, and cultural artifacts and antiquities.

Restricted items requiring permits include alcohol subject to very high excise duties and Vinmonopolet regulations, tobacco products subject to excise duties, pharmaceutical products requiring Norwegian Medicines Agency approval, food products requiring Mattilsynet (Norwegian Food Safety Authority) approval, telecommunications equipment requiring Nkom certification, drones requiring Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority registration, and dietary supplements which face strict regulations.

Norway has a state monopoly on alcohol retail sales through Vinmonopolet. Importing alcohol for personal use is subject to strict limits and very high excise duties. Norwegian excise duties on spirits are among the highest in the world, at approximately NOK 8.11 per percentage point of alcohol per liter.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Norway's cold climate, especially in northern regions, means packages may be exposed to freezing temperatures during transit and storage. Avoid shipping temperature-sensitive items during winter months (November through March) without appropriate insulation. Use moisture-resistant packaging, as Norwegian conditions can be wet.

Norwegian addresses include a street name and number, 4-digit postal code, and city or town name. Example format: Storgata 15, 0184 Oslo. For rural addresses, include as much location detail as possible. Include the receiver's phone number, as Posten Norge and carriers frequently use SMS for delivery coordination and customs notifications.

Tracking and Insurance Options

All carriers provide tracking to Norway. USPS tracking transfers to Posten Norge, which provides reliable tracking updates and SMS/email notifications for customs processing status and delivery scheduling. Posten Norge's digital services are well-developed, and receivers can manage customs payments and delivery preferences through their app or website.

USPS includes up to $200 insurance with Priority Mail Express International. Private carriers offer declared value coverage up to $50,000. Norway's postal infrastructure is highly reliable.

How to Save on International Shipping

Use atoship for commercial carrier rates at 40% to 89% below retail. Take advantage of Norway's higher duty threshold of NOK 3,000 (approximately $280) compared to the EU's 150-euro limit. Shipments under this amount avoid customs duties entirely, though 25% VAT still applies.

Purchase from VOEC-registered sellers to prepay VAT at checkout and avoid Posten Norge's handling fee for customs payment collection. Ship books to take advantage of 0% VAT. Use USPS for lightweight packages under 4 pounds. Avoid shipping food products that face prohibitive agricultural tariffs.

Consolidate items to reduce per-package handling fees. Ship via express carriers for higher-value items, as their customs brokerage may be more efficient than postal processing. Accurately declare all values, as Norwegian customs actively checks declared values and will reassess undervalued shipments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from the US to Norway take? Express services deliver in 2 to 5 business days. Economy services take 7 to 21 days. Customs clearance adds 1 to 3 business days.

Is Norway in the EU? No. Norway is NOT a member of the European Union. It is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and has its own customs authority, VAT system, and import regulations. Do not apply EU customs rules to Norwegian shipments.

What is the duty-free threshold for Norway? Goods valued under NOK 3,000 (approximately $280 USD) are exempt from customs duties but subject to 25% VAT. This threshold is higher than the EU's 150-euro duty-free limit.

What is VOEC? VOEC (VAT on E-Commerce) is Norway's system for collecting VAT on imported goods. Foreign sellers with annual sales over NOK 50,000 to Norway must register and collect 25% VAT at checkout for goods under NOK 3,000. It is similar to the EU's IOSS but was launched earlier.

Can I ship food to Norway? Technically yes, but Norway imposes extremely high agricultural tariffs on many food products, ranging from 20% to over 400%. Commercially packaged, non-perishable specialty items may be cost-effective, but common food items face prohibitive duty rates.

Are books tax-free when shipped to Norway? Yes, Norway applies 0% VAT to books, newspapers, and periodicals. Combined with 0% customs duty, books can be shipped to Norway with no tax liability regardless of value. This makes Norway one of the best countries for shipping books from the US.

How does Norway compare to EU countries for shipping? Carrier costs are similar. Norway's higher duty threshold (NOK 3,000 vs EU's 150 euros) is an advantage. However, Norway's 25% VAT matches the highest EU rates, and food imports face much higher tariffs than in EU countries. The separate customs system means EU IOSS does not work for Norway; use VOEC instead.