Can I send Norwegian food like chocolate or brown cheese abroad by post?
Customs forms, EU rules for dairy and sending to the USA.
Short answer
You can post Norwegian food such as chocolate and brunost abroad, but Posten requires customs information for every shipment of goods, including gifts. The EU ban on private imports of milk and meat products does not apply to goods from Norway. For the USA, all goods must be declared digitally, and food may need FDA prior notice.
Why
- The European Commission says its restrictions on personal imports of meat, milk and their products do not apply to products from Norway.
- Since 1 January 2026 Posten has accepted goods for the USA again, but every shipment, gifts included, must be ordered and declared digitally with a 10-digit US tariff number and the country of origin.
- Gifts under US$100 between private individuals are duty-free in the USA, but an import clearance fee still applies, and from 24 July 2026 the sender must prepay any duties.
Details
The FDA says it and US Customs typically consider not taking action when a private person sends food bought in a shop as a non-business gift without prior notice, while shops that ship food are expected to give notice. In Germany, for example, gift parcels from one private person to another worth up to 45 euros can be duty-free. Posten asks you to describe each item with number, weight, value and country of origin.
Tip
Wrap chocolate well and avoid sending it in warm weather, and fill in the customs information in English, as Posten requires.
What may differ
Rules for countries outside the EU and the USA, such as the UK, Canada or Australia, differ, so check the customs rules of the destination country.
Common misconception
Norway is not in the EU, so you cannot post brunost to an EU country.
What actually happens
EU restrictions on private imports of meat and dairy do not apply to products from Norway, although the parcel still needs customs information.
People also ask
- Can I post chocolate from Norway to the EU?
- Can I ship food from Norway to the USA?
Sources
- European Commission: Personal imports of animal productsChecked at:
- Posten: Shipping to the USChecked at:
- US FDA: Prior notice policy for sending gifts to friends and familyChecked at:
- Posten: Customs documents for parcels abroadChecked at:
- German Customs (Zoll): Gifts from non-EU countriesChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Posten and the destination country's customs rules before you send.
What to bring back from NorwayRelated questions
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Where are Posten's own post offices in Oslo?
Posten runs three post offices of its own in Oslo: Vika in Klingenberggata 7, Majorstuen in Kirkeveien 61 and Nydalen in Kristoffer Aamots gate 5.
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How do I forward my mail when I move in Norway?
When you move in Norway, order a permanent address change from Posten, which forwards letters to your new address free of charge for 12 months.
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What should I do if my parcel is lost or delayed?
If a parcel is delayed, check the tracking, since new events can take 1–4 days to appear, and then contact the sender, who normally files any claim with Posten.
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Does Posten deliver mail and parcels every day?
Posten delivers letters every other weekday, three days one week and two the next, while parcels to the mailbox come every weekday.