NORWAY

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Norway

The common challenge of European integration serves to bring Switzerland and Norway closer together. Relations between the two countries have developed in particular within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Economic cooperation

As neither of them is a member of the European Union, Switzerland and Norway maintain close contacts within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the World Trade Association (WTO). However, bilateral economic exchange remains rather modest, amounting to just CHF 1.12 billion in 2015.

Business language

Norwegian, English, German, French.

Dimensions and weights

Metric system.

Currency

National currency Norwegian Krone (nkr) = 100 Øre (ø).

ISO code: NOK

Customs tariff

Harmonised system. Customs clearance based on the transaction value.

Import control

Import is broadly liberalised. Only items which are on the negative list, particularly agricultural products (including fishing products) and certain textile goods, require an import licence. The import of foods and live animals is subject to reporting.

Foreign currency market liberalised. A total of NOK 25.000 can be taken without a declaration. Notification to the authorities (automated) of all payments/transfers from NOK 5.000.

Standard VAT rate: 25%

Terms of payment and tenders

Depending on the creditworthiness of the customer payment in advance, cash on deliver, documents against payment (D/P) or payment term. Invoices in EUR.

Designations of origin

Declarations of origin are only required for certain goods, in particular textiles, leather goods, shoes, glass goods, certain rubber goods, varnishes, paints, lacquers, razor blades, etc. In this case marking on the boxes is also required. Information on this can be obtained from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Marking/labelling

Standard marking with the addition of the country of origin. There are special labelling regulations for chemicals, foods, medications, textiles and leather goods.

Packaging

The use of hay, straw, used sacks and the like is not recommended.

The regulations of ISPM no. 15 apply for wooden packaging materials.

Product samples

All samples which cannot be deemed to be part of trade are exempted from customs duties.

Carnet-ATA process permissible.

Shipping and accompanying documents

Standard and:

a) Commercial invoices (two copies) with the standard information: name and address of the seller and the buyer, place and date of issue, date of order or purchase, brand, numbers, quantity and type of packaging, gross and net weights. If packaging contains different goods, the net weight of each type of good must be indicated. Description of the goods: precise, standard designation of the goods indicating the quantity and the quality and any compounds (composition, e.g. in the case of textiles). Where possible the customs tariff number, country of origin, price per unit, payment and sales terms must be added.

If discounts are granted, the type must be indicated along with the import licence number (where necessary).

The invoices do not need to be signed, no certification.

b) Certificates of origin are only needed if they are requested by the importer. Bills of lading uncertified.

c) For postal items up to 31.5 kg: 1 foreign package card, 1 customs declaration in German/Scandinavian/English/French

d) Movement certificate EUR. 1 for goods with a value of more than EUR 6.000 as evidence of the preferential origin as part of the EU-EFTA free trade agreement. When importing goods of a value of up to EUR 6,000 the exporter must make the following declaration in the invoice or another commercial document: “The undersigned exporter of the goods to which this commercial invoice refers states that these goods, unless otherwise indicated, are … preferential goods”. Place and date, signature Norwegian version: “Eksportoren av produktene amfattet av dette dokument erklaerer at disse produktene, unntatt hvor annet er tydelig angitt, har … preferenseopprinnelse”. The full name of the person signing the declaration must be indicated underneath the signature. (Originating products from Ceuta and Melilla are to be clearly labelled with the initials “CM”) “Authorised exporters” must indicate the registration number.

e) EUR-MED

f) The cross-EU “common transit procedure“ (NCTS) can be used.

However, the procedure described under d) must be complied with to provide evidence of the entitlement to preference. Warning: when importing goods from the EU it is necessary to indicate the VAT ID number of the EU company importing the goods. Please note: the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) has been required for customs clearance since 11/01/10. The CTN must be indicated on the bill of lading and the loading certificate. The CTN required for import must be requested before loading.