What is the best way to ship a parcel from the USA to Norway?
USPS services, delivery times and Norwegian import charges.
Short answer
USPS Priority Mail International takes a parcel from the USA to Norway in 6–10 business days, while Priority Mail Express International takes 3–5 business days. Both take up to 66 lb and need a customs form. The receiver usually pays Norwegian VAT and a carrier fee, but private gifts worth up to NOK 1,000 are exempt.
Why
- USPS gives 6–10 business days for Priority Mail International and 3–5 business days for Priority Mail Express International.
- USPS's rules for Norway set a 66 lb weight limit for both Priority services, and commercial items also need a commercial invoice in duplicate.
- Tolletaten says a gift sent by a private person abroad to a private person in Norway is free of import charges if it is worth NOK 1,000 or less.
Details
USPS prices start at US$32.65 for a Priority Mail International flat rate envelope and US$62.70 for Priority Mail Express International, and they depend on the destination region. Parcels that are not gifts are charged Norwegian VAT on arrival: 25 percent for most goods and 15 percent for food, and clothing and food can also carry customs duty. The carrier that clears the parcel in Norway normally charges its own fee for this.
Tip
Use Tolletaten's import calculator on toll.no to estimate VAT and duty before you send, and describe the contents and value clearly on the customs form.
What may differ
Food is charged 15 percent VAT whatever its value, and USPS notes that Norway charges VAT on all goods containing food, including sweets. Goods bought from a US online shop registered in the Norwegian VOEC scheme have VAT added at checkout instead.
Common misconception
A parcel marked as a gift is always free of Norwegian VAT.
What actually happens
Only gifts worth NOK 1,000 or less sent by a private person abroad to a private person in Norway are exempt. A gift sent straight from a shop is cleared as an ordinary import.
People also ask
- How much does it cost to ship a package from the USA to Norway?
- How long does shipping from the US to Norway take?
Sources
- USPS: Priority Mail InternationalChecked at:
- USPS: Priority Mail Express InternationalChecked at:
- USPS International Mail Manual: NorwayChecked at:
- Norwegian Customs: Gifts sent from abroadChecked at:
- Norwegian Customs: Shopping from online shops not registered in VOECChecked at:
Prices and rules change, so check USPS and Tolletaten before you send.
Household and servicesRelated 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.