Questions and answers

PostEkspress Nordic is a parcel agent in Strömstad, right by the Norwegian border. We offer a practical receiving service – we accept parcels for you, so you can pick them up whenever it suits you.

This is convenient for Norwegians who shop online from EU countries, because many online stores do not ship directly to Norway – or charge expensive shipping and customs clearance fees. Instead, you can have the parcel delivered to PostEkspress Nordic in Strömstad, and then bring it across the border yourself.

When you order goods from an online store abroad, the following rules apply:

• VAT: You must always pay 25 % VAT when the goods arrive in Norway.
• Customs duties: If you buy clothing, you must also pay customs duty.
• Exemption: If the goods cost less than 350 kroner, you do not have to pay VAT.

Before you can use the goods, they must be cleared through customs. That means someone has to calculate and pay VAT, customs duties and any other charges for you.

Often the carrier (for example Posten or a parcel delivery service) does this automatically. They then do the following for you:

• Calculate the charges
• Pay them to Norwegian Customs
• Charge an extra fee for storage and customs clearance

The VAT is calculated from: price of the goods + shipping + any insurance.

An important problem you should know about: When you buy from abroad, the price usually includes VAT in the country of purchase. You do not get this VAT back. That means you pay VAT twice:

• Once in the country you buy from
• Once when the goods arrive in Norway

In addition, a customs clearance fee is added.

The Norwegian Directorate of Customs and Excise has set these limits:

• Stays over 24 hours abroad: You can bring goods worth up to 6 000 kroner without paying duty and taxes.
• Shorter stays: Once in a 24-hour period you can bring goods worth 3 000 kroner duty- and tax-free.

These limits apply to the total sum of everything you have bought.

When you use PostEkspress Nordic in Strömstad, you get several advantages:

• You get a Swedish delivery address in Strömstad to use when shopping from EU online stores.
• Since Sweden is part of the EU, goods from another EU country to Strömstad count as domestic trade – you avoid customs duties.
• The VAT is already included in the price (in the country of purchase), and the carrier charges no fee for storage or customs clearance.
• PostEkspress Nordic receives parcels from all carriers – PostNord, DHL, Bring, DSV, DB Schenker and more.

In short: By using PostEkspress Nordic you save money in three ways – you avoid Norwegian VAT, customs duties and clearance fees. In addition, you get access to online stores that otherwise do not ship to Norway.