Expert: Roberto Gomes - 7/28/2008

Question
I'll be
Could you provide a detailed answer to my question.
I'll be travelling with 20-odd colleagues to Norway ( Bergen) in a month.
I'd like to know when we land at the airport there, what are the customs and immigration procedures that we would have to go through immediately.
Thanx in advance

Answer
Dear Archie,

First of all let me tell you that this question is my 500th answer on this site.

The Schengen agreement went into effect on march 25, 2001. The agreement is to remove immigration control for travel within the collective territories of the member states. This creates a "borderless" region known as "the Schengen area" in Europe. Therefore, travel between above mentioned countries will in principle be without document check.

Like any other international airport, after disembark off the plane you may be (since Norway is not an EU country) directed to the Immigration Authorities, where your passport will be inspected and the duration of your stay determined.

After that, you must pick up your baggage and present to Customs for inspection. Some countries use two channels, one to passengers that have "nothing to declare" and other to "goods to be declared".
If you choose the first one and has something on the contents of your baggage that are outside the limitations, you may face some penalty charges and have the items confiscated.

Please see below current import regulations:

Free import
1. residents of Norway who have been abroad for less than 24 hours goods representing a total value of NOK 3,000.-. This does not include alcohol or tobacco products, unless it can be proven that they have been purchased with a price including tax (not duty free) in an European Economic Area(EEA) country;

2. residents of Norway who have been abroad for 24 hours or more and visitors to Norway goods representing a total value of NOK 6,000.-. Articles included in this limit (not for passengers under 18 years) are:

a. 200 cigarettes or 250 grammes of other tobacco products and 200 leaves of cigarette paper; and

b. alcoholic beverages
- 1 litre of spirits of 22% vol. or higher to a max. of 60% vol. and 1.5 litres of alcohol of 2.5% up to and incl. 22% vol.; or
- 3 litres of alcohol of up to and incl. 22% vol.; and
- 2 litres of beer with more than 2.5% up to/incl. 4.7 vol.
This means a max. of 5 litres of beer if no other alcoholic beverages are imported.

Meat and dairy products:
A total of 10 kgs. of meat, meat products, cheese and foodstuffs (excl. dog and cat food) from EEA countries.

Prohibited:

- Alcoholic beverages of over 60% (120% proof);
- Arms and ammunition, narcotics;
- plants (depending on season) and parts thereof.

Hope this helps.
If your need any additional info, please let me know.
Best Regards,
R. Gomes

PS> Please rate this answer. Thank you!