Customs & Immigration Policies when moving from the UK to Norway

Norway has some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, and some of the friendliest people too. Add to this a booming economy and a very high standard of living and you couldn’t have picked a better place to move. In fact, the 2012 UN World Happiness Report placed Norway at number 3 on the list of the happiest countries in the world. But before you grab your things and rush to catch the next flight to Norway, there are some important things you should know about your move there, specifically relating to customs and immigration. This article will address some of the key points, but we suggest you visit the links at the end of this article for more detailed information.

A (Very) Brief Background on UK-Norway Relations

Norway is one of the birthplaces of the Vikings. The Vikings, as we all know, invaded and wreaked havoc on Britain. But that was a long time ago; today relations between the UK and Norway are friendly. In fact, as a token of Norway’s appreciation for Britain helping them in the World War II, the Norwegians still send a Christmas tree every year from Oslo to Trafalgar Square in London. You will also find a Norwegian Memorial Stone in Hyde Park that reads: “We thank the British people for friendship and hospitality. You gave us a safe haven in our common struggle for freedom and peace.”

So rest assured you will be welcomed and feel at home in Norway.

Paperwork for your move

If you’re a British citizen, you won’t need a visa to enter Norway. But as you’re planning to live there, you will need to register at one of their service centres for foreign workers, alternatively you can visit a local police station.

When it comes to your personal belongings, you’ll need to fill in a RD 0030 form. On this form you must list all the belongings you are bringing into the country, stating whether they are new or used. You will be exempt from paying customs and excise duties if the following three criteria are met:

1) You’ve lived outside Norway continuously for a minimum period of one year

2) You used your belongings in your previous home country, and will continue using them in Norway

3) Your belongings have the appearance of being used.

It is important you hand the RD 0030 form to the driver, as your goods will not be given customs clearance unless the signed form is presented.

 Importing regulated items

To import your car, there are a number of steps you must take. First, you must contact the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to find out whether your particular vehicle can be registered in Norway. Next, you must check if there are any export restrictions from your current home country. Once this is done, and you have reached the Norwegian border, you will need to report to the customs personnel in the red zone. They will provide you with a transit document listing the Customs and Excise office closest to your destination. You must visit this office within 1-3 days to pay VAT on the your vehicle.

When it comes to alcohol, you can import up to 3 litres with a volume between 2.5% and 22%, or 1 litre of alcohol with a volume between 22% and 60%. With tobacco products, you may bring up to 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of other tobacco products, and up to 200 sheets of cigarette papers. Anything outside of that will be subject to custom fees. Also, you have to be over 18 to import alcohol or tobacco products, but you must be over 20 years old to import alcohol with a percentage of 22% volume or more.

Besides that, the rest is relatively common sense. You must not import fireworks, weapons, mammals, exotic animals, plants, alcohol over 60% volume, or meat and dairy products from countries outside of the EEA.

Where in the UK can I go to get more information?

The best place to ask any questions you have about moving to Norway is the Norwegian Embassy in London. Here is a link to their contact details:

http://www.norway.org.uk/Embassy/

Links to online resources

If you’re happy to search for information online, below is a list of relevant sites that should answer all your questions.

Norwegian Customs

http://www.toll.no/

Norwegian Directorate of Immigration

 http://www.udi.no/

The Official Site of Norway in the UK

http://www.norway.org.uk/

Service Centre for Foreign Workers

http://www.sua.no/en/

The Official Travel Guide to Norway

http://www.visitnorway.com/uk/

UK Government Website

 https://www.gov.uk/living-in-norway

Moving to another country takes a lot of time and energy. We won’t deny that. There are a bunch of rules and procedures to follow and it can often seem like they are never ending. But when you consider the country you’re moving to, it’s definitely worth it. Norway is ranked one of the best places in the world to live – by non-Norwegians and Norwegians alike, and we’re certain you’ll join the choir.

Click the following link to check the complete list of required paperwork and check the prices of removals to Norway.

Contribution by Michael Pawlicki