Frequently asked questions
A Carnet can be used when a company or private individual intends to travel with professional equipment, commercial samples or materials for presentation at trade fairs and exhibitions. It is a requirement that all equipment be brought back into Norway. You should also check that the country you are travelling to is a member of the Carnet scheme and that it accepts all categories of goods.
This list shows which countries accept Carnets and what exceptions apply.
The price depends on the value of the goods to be included, the number of trips to be made and whether the applicant is a member of the chamber of commerce.
The same Carnet can be used for multiple trips to several countries before its expiry date. However, the number of trips per Carnet is capped at 10 (one trip equals a return journey).
The normal processing time is three to five working days. For Carnets to be issued by the close of business on the following working day, an additional fee of NOK 1 890 will be charged (see price list).
A Carnet is never compulsory. However, it is an alternative to depositing funds to cover customs duties and VAT in the import country. The benefit of a Carnet is that it saves you time and money when you are taking goods temporarily out of Norway.
It is valid for one year. Please note that the deadline for temporary exemption from excise duties varies from country to country. It may therefore be shorter than the Carnet’s validity.
Goods intended for display purposes must usually be taken out of the country no later than three months after the exhibition has ended. For more information, contact your chamber of commerce.
It is important that the person travelling with the Carnet makes sure that the customs station’s Carnet office at the border crossing is open when they arrive and depart. If the Carnet holder is travelling outside the Carnet office’s opening hours, an appointment must be made with the office concerned in the respective country.
A Carnet should be treated as a valuable document. However, if it should go astray you must immediately contact the issuing chamber of commerce.
If the goods remain in the import country, the Carnet holder must contact the customs authorities and obtain customs clearance for them there. This must be done well before the Carnet’s expiry date.
The same procedure applies if the goods have been stolen or gone missing in some other way. Theft of Carnet-listed goods should be reported to the police.
The customs authority’s stamp on the Carnet’s white page (re-export counterfoil) will provide proof of customs clearance. The Carnet, as well as copies of the customs clearance papers, must then be sent to the issuing chamber of commerce.
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