Norway - Customs
Arriving by Yacht:
On arrival, notify Customs at the first Port of Entry.
Leaving your Boat:
A boat can remain stored in Norway, without special permission, for up to 6 weeks in any 12 month period, but it may not be used by others if left this way.
If you want to leave the boat for longer than six weeks, you must apply to Norwegian Customs for permission before you leave the country. Initially, you apply for one year from the time it entered the country. If you need to leave the boat for longer than 1 year, you must make a second application. Such a boat cannot be used by others. The Customs department has created a standard application form for boat owners, see www.toll.no/en/services/forms. A total of two years from initial entry into Norway is the maximum time allowed.
It is VERY important to apply to Customs IN ADVANCE for permission to leave the boat. Failure to do so may result in a criminal charge of illegal importation, the penalty for which carries a very substantial fine as well as a VAT of 25% of the value of the boat.
See the official website at www.toll.no/en/goods/boat for the details.
The vessel may only be used by the person to whom clearance is given and cannot be used for commercial purposes.
Other Items:
Firearms must be declared. All firearms must have a licence from the country of origin. Firearms must be re-exported within three months if not an application for a permit must be made.
Customs rules specify that only up to 22 lb (10 kg) of agricultural products are allowed to be imported, of which 6.6 lb (3 kg) may be meat and processed meat products from other Nordic countries. Tinned meat from all countries is allowed but fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products are restricted as are eggs and potatoes. See full details here. It is unlikely that these rules will be enforced in the case of a yacht where the products are not taken ashore.
There are strict restrictions on the import of alcohol and a heavy tax is imposed for excess amounts. A deposit must be paid on excess amounts and the items placed under seal until leaving Norwegian waters. This deposit will be refunded on proof from foreign Customs that the yacht has arrived in the next country. See full details here.
Last updated: May 2022
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No one needs to take a test before or after entering Norway. The info on here is dated.
Thanks for letting us know Steve – really helpful. Yes I see rules changed last week and we’ve updated the biosecurity section accordingly.
The best pilot guide we used was, in fact, an app downloaded to our iPad and phone: https://www.harbourguide.com.
Norway is very capable when it comes to gas refilling. We found that our existing UK Calor bottles could be refilled with Propane by a professional for the same or less than in the UK. We did not have to buy a Norwegian bottle.
Rorvik and Harstad are where we filled our bottles but it seems like you can do it in most major towns. This site is useful: https://www.mylpg.eu/stations/norway/
To be more precise phasing out is a process as I have explained here: http://59nord.pl/en/radio-2/
It will be finished at the and of the current year, so there is still a good chance that this season visitors to Norway may be able to use their FM receivers.
When it comes to weather forecasts I have elaborated on that here: http://59nord.pl/en/weather-forcast-on-nrk-radio/ and here: http://59nord.pl/en/marine-radio-weather-forecast/
I want to highlight that Norwegian radio has shut down their FM senders from 2017 and the only way to access public radio is by having Dab+ in your boat as this is the only transmission remaining.
To access weather, check VHF Ch 16 where they inform which working channel they will broadcast the weather every day at 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 21:00 local time.
Being Norwegian, I would like to expand on your statement about all shoreline being private (Restrictions section).
Few countries, if any, give a sailor better access than Norway. The public intention is to keep all shoreline within 100m open to the public. Deviations from this rule are unfortunately many. Some because of existing buildings when the law was passed, some because of too good lawyers. But the general rule is that you can freely use the shoreline.
You can anchor outside the private property. You can take your dinghy ashore anywhere that is not obviously private. You can spend the day at the shore, collect firewood, and pick berries. All this without asking anybody for permission.
Any “private” signs are most often illegal. With exceptions for the densely populated southeastern part of Norway, the vast majority of the shoreline is free to use.