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If you run a webshop in the EU and want to sell to Norwegian customers, understanding how to sell and ship without the customer getting unexpected extra charges is critical for a good user experience and a good conversion rate. Since Norway is not in the EU, all shipments to Norway must clear customs. The key to a successful customer experience is ensuring customers know the exact final price at checkout with no unexpected charges at delivery. This is achieved through DDP shipping.

Understanding customs

Read our guide on customs and international shipping for more general information.

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Delivery options

When shipping from the EU to Norway, you have two delivery methods: DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) - Recommended for B2C
  • You collect all taxes and customs duties at checkout
  • Customer pays nothing extra at delivery
  • Best for consumer sales (B2C)
DAP (Delivered at Place)
  • Customer pays taxes and customs duties upon delivery
  • Carrier charges an additional processing fee
  • Commonly used for business sales (B2B) where the buyer handles customs clearance
For most e-commerce webshops selling to consumers, DDP is the clear choice for better conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

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Shipping DDP to Norway

DDP means you collect all taxes and duties at checkout. Your customer sees the total price upfront and pays nothing extra when the package arrives. This approach delivers significantly higher conversion rates and fewer refused deliveries.

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How DDP works

  1. Customer goes to checkout: At checkout, the system calculates the complete cost including product prices, shipping, Norwegian VAT (25% for most goods, 15% for foodstuffs), and any applicable customs duties
  2. Customer pays everything: The customer pays the full amount to your webshop and will not have to pay anything further
  3. Ship with customs clearance: Your carrier handles customs clearance using the pre-paid duties
  4. Delivered without any extra cost: Package is delivered to the customer without any extra charges
  5. Remit taxes: You as seller periodically remit collected VAT to Norwegian authorities

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Requirements

  • As a seller then you must be registered in the VOEC Schema.
  • All products must have accruate customs information added.
  • The webshop must be setup to collect the correct tax and duty during checkout.

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VOEC registration

To ship DDP, you must register in the VOEC scheme:
  1. Apply through the Norwegian Tax Administration
  2. Provide business registration and contact information
  3. Receive your VOEC registration number
  4. Configure your e-commerce platform to collect Norwegian VAT
  5. Set up periodic VAT reporting and remittance
Register for VOEC

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Collecting duties and import taxes at checkout

To successfully implement DDP shipping, your e-commerce platform must calculate and collect the correct duties and import taxes during checkout. This requires real-time calculation based on product details and destination.
Product data requirements. All products must have tariff codes (HS codes) and country of origin entered in your system before orders are placed. Without this information, accurate duty and tax calculation is impossible.
The calculated tax and duty must be stored on the order and included on the invoice.

Shopify

Shopify offers native duties and import tax collection at checkout. This built-in feature handles calculations automatically but charges a service fee. Third‑party apps are available in the Shopify App Store.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce provides a free first‑party tax plugin for international tax calculations, including duties and import taxes. Third‑party solutions such as Stripe Tax are also available.

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Required documentation

When shipping DDP from the EU to Norway:
  • Commercial invoice with complete product information
  • HS codes for all products
  • Country of origin for each item
  • Proof of VOEC registration
  • Customer’s national identity number (11 digits) for customs clearance

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Shipping non-DDP to Norway

If you choose not to register for VOEC and ship non-DDP, your customers will face additional charges when packages arrive in Norway. This approach results in lower conversion rates and more customer service issues.

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How non-DDP works

  1. You ship the package without collecting Norwegian VAT or duties
  2. The package arrives at Norwegian customs
  3. The carrier contacts your customer to collect:
    • Norwegian VAT (usually 25%)
    • Customs duties (if applicable)
    • Carrier processing fee (varies by carrier)
  4. Customer pays these charges before receiving the package
  5. If customer refuses to pay, the package is returned
Expect lower conversion rates. Customers abandon carts when they realize additional charges will apply at delivery. Many Norwegian customers will refuse deliveries rather than pay unexpected fees.

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What customers must pay

  • VAT: 25% for most goods, 15% for foodstuffs (applied to product value + shipping)
  • Customs duties: Vary by product type and country of origin
  • Carrier processing fee: Typically 100-200 NOK, varies by carrier
Use the import calculator to help customers estimate total costs.

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National identity number requirement

Norwegian Customs requires the customer’s national identity number (11 digits) for customs declarations. If you don’t collect this during checkout, the carrier will need to contact the customer to obtain it, causing delays.

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Key considerations

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Customs duties by product type

Not all products are subject to customs duties when shipping from the EU to Norway:
  • Clothing and textiles: Subject to customs duties
  • Food and foodstuffs: Subject to customs duties
  • Electronics and most other goods: Generally exempt from customs duties but still subject to VAT
Check the specific tariff rates for your products at the Norwegian customs database.

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Documentation best practices

Ensure smooth customs clearance with proper documentation:
  • Use accurate HS codes for product classification
  • Declare correct values (product cost + shipping)
  • Include complete product descriptions
  • Specify country of origin for each item
  • Include customer’s national identity number

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Why DDP matters for conversion

Norwegian e-commerce customers are accustomed to transparent pricing. When shopping from EU webshops:
  • They expect the checkout price to be the final price
  • Unexpected delivery charges lead to cart abandonment
  • Refused deliveries damage your brand reputation
  • DDP shipping is becoming the market standard
Start with DDP. If you’re serious about the Norwegian market, set up VOEC registration from the start. The investment in setup pays off through higher conversion rates and fewer customer service issues.

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Additional resources