Can I bring meat or cheese into Norway from the UK or the USA?
Why British and American meat and cheese stay out, and the few exceptions.
Short answer
You cannot bring meat or cheese from the UK or the USA into Norway, because personal imports of meat and dairy from outside the EEA are banned. Mattilsynet counts Great Britain and Northern Ireland as countries outside the EEA. Small amounts of baby food and special medical food are the only exceptions.
Why
- Mattilsynet prohibits all personal consignments of meat and milk and their products from third countries, meaning countries outside the EU/EEA.
- Mattilsynet's definition of third countries explicitly includes Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
- Tolletaten says the ban covers both personal luggage and postal items, so you cannot send the food to yourself either.
Details
The exception for infant milk, baby food and special medical food applies only if the total is under 2 kilograms, the packaging is intact and the product does not need refrigeration. Fish and certain shellfish are allowed up to 20 kilograms without veterinary control. Products that break the rules must be handed in on arrival for disposal, and failing to declare them may lead to prosecution.
Tip
Finish British sausages or American jerky before you land, and buy meat and cheese in Norway instead. If you still have such food with you, go through the red channel.
What may differ
Switzerland is treated differently: meat and dairy from there are allowed for private use. Meat and cheese bought in an EU country such as Denmark fall under the 10-kilogram quota when you arrive from the EEA.
Common misconception
Food from the UK follows the same rules as food from the EU.
What actually happens
Mattilsynet counts Great Britain and Northern Ireland as third countries, so British meat and cheese face the same ban as products from the USA.
People also ask
- Can I bring meat from the UK into Norway?
- Can I bring cheese from the USA into Norway?
Sources
- Norwegian Food Safety Authority: Personal import of food to NorwayChecked at:
- Norwegian Food Safety Authority: Dogs, cats and ferrets from third countries to NorwayChecked at:
- Norwegian Customs: Meat, milk, cheese and other foodsChecked at:
- Norwegian Customs: Buying meat and cheese abroad (Norwegian)Checked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) before you travel.
Tax free and duty free in NorwayRelated questions
-
Does Norway have a working holiday visa?
Norway gives working holiday permits only to young citizens of six countries: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Andorra and Canada.
-
Do I need to stop at customs when driving into Norway from Sweden?
When you drive into Norway from Sweden, you only need to stop at customs if you have goods over the quota or value limit to declare.
-
What happens if I bring more than the duty-free quota into Norway?
If you declare the goods over the quota and pay the duty, you keep them, but undeclared goods found by customs lead to a fine and are confiscated.
-
How do I declare goods at Norwegian customs?
You declare goods either in Tolletaten's Kvoteappen before you reach the border or in the red channel at a staffed customs office, where you pay the duty.