Why do some international online shops not ship to Norway?
Customs, VOEC registration and Norwegian VAT for foreign shops.
Short answer
Many foreign online shops do not ship to Norway because it is outside the EU customs union, so each order must clear customs and carry Norwegian VAT. Shops selling more than NOK 50,000 to Norway must register in the VOEC scheme to collect it at checkout. Without a VOEC number, every parcel goes through regular customs clearance.
Why
- PostNord writes that Norway operates outside the EU customs union, which puts off many European e-commerce sellers.
- Skatteetaten says foreign online shops must register in VOEC when their total sales to recipients in Norway exceed NOK 50,000, and the scheme covers goods under NOK 3,000 per item.
- Tolletaten says a shipment without a VOEC number must be declared as a regular clearance, with any customs duty and taxes paid.
Details
Food, drinks, supplements, vitamins, medicines, alcohol and tobacco are outside the VOEC scheme, so shops selling them cannot collect Norwegian VAT at checkout. When a shop is not registered in VOEC, the customer pays VAT and any customs duty on arrival, and the carrier adds a fee for the customs work.
Tip
Check whether the shop charges Norwegian VAT at checkout: if it does, it uses VOEC, and items under NOK 3,000 arrive without further charges.
What may differ
Items worth NOK 3,000 or more are always cleared on arrival, even from a shop registered in VOEC.
People also ask
- Why won't some websites deliver to Norway?
- Why do EU online shops treat Norway differently?
Sources
- PostNord: Send parcels to NorwayChecked at:
- Norwegian Tax Administration: VAT on all online shopping from abroadChecked at:
- Norwegian Tax Administration: Purchases from abroadChecked at:
- Norwegian Customs: The VOEC schemeChecked at:
- Norwegian Customs: How to report a VOEC shipmentChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Tolletaten before you order.
Shopping in Norway: how to shop smartRelated 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.