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Exporting from the UK to Norway: A market guide

Overview

Norway is part of the Nordic and Baltic region and is the fourth largest country in Europe. It is a sophisticated and established market, having a long and trusted trading relationship with the UK.

Trade statistics

£9.1 billion total UK exports to Norway for the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: July 2024)

23rd largest UK export market

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: July 2024)

1.1% of total UK exports for the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: July 2024)

Consumer market

Norwegians are keen on British brands and products. They have high spending power and expect quality, well-packed and competitively priced products. The market is technologically and digitally advanced, and there is a growing interest in responsible consumption and healthy, sustainable products. Norwegians are early adopters of technology.

UK-Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein free trade agreement

The UK has signed a free trade agreement with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Read our latest updates for more information on the status of this agreement and how it may benefit your business.

Proximity, ease of business

Norway is one of the UK’s closest neighbours. It can be reached in a 2-hour flight. English is widely spoken, and Norwegians are comfortable with UK culture.

Top five UK goods exported to Norway , in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024

Goods Value (£ million )
Crude oil 314.0
Refined oil 252.5
General industrial machinery (intermediate) 206.8
Miscellaneous electrical goods (intermediate) 168.3
Miscellaneous metal manufactures 161.0

Source: ONS Trade in goods: country-by-commodity exports
Last updated: September 2024
Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for Norway.

Top five UK services exported to Norway , in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024

Service Value (£ billion )
Other Business Services 2.5
Telecommunications, computer and information services 0.8
Travel 0.6
Insurance and Pension 0.4
Transportation 0.4

Source: ONS UK trade in services: service type by partner country, non-seasonally adjusted
Last updated: July 2024
Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for Norway.

Norway: at a glance

Economic growth

3.3%

Actual figure (IMF, 2022)
The UK is 4.1% (IMF, 2022, actual figure)

GDP per capita

$105,826

Actual figure (IMF, 2022)
The UK is $45,461 (IMF, 2022, projected figure)

Currency

Norwegian krone

Business language

English is widely spoken

Time zone

GMT +1

Want to see more on Norway? Sign up for additional market data, content specific to your product or sector and to compare Norway side by side with other markets.

Opportunities for exporters

There is a demand for UK-manufactured products and services across many sectors in Norway. This ranges from consumer products and environmental technologies, to e-vehicles and finance. There is also demand for medical and pharmaceutical products and physical and cyber security products.

Check for trade barriers

Trade barriers, such as tariffs or taxes, can raise costs, cause delays, or even stop you from exporting. Check for any issues that may impact your business when exporting.

See current trade barriers

See resolved trade barriers

Check duties and customs

Find information on how to export goods from the UK. View the duties, rules, restrictions, and the documents you need for your products.

See current duties and customs procedures

Doing business in Norway

Preparing to export

Taxes and duties

Foreign businesses operating in Norway must comply with Norwegian VAT rules, and must be VAT registered if sales or withdrawals liable for VAT exceed 50,000 kroner over 12 months.

There are essentially 3 types of taxes on the import of goods from abroad – customs duty, VAT and special taxes. What a Norwegian customer or consumer must pay or report to the tax authorities depends on the type of goods and where they come from.

VAT rate (2022) in Norway is 25%, with exemptions including:

  • 15% for food and drink
  • 12% for certain cultural and sporting activities

View other exemptions on the Norwegian Tax Administration website.

For further information on customs duties, VAT and special taxes, follow these leads:

Regulations

The Norwegian Standards Authority is responsible for standardisation, certification and assessment of product standards.

Norway has adopted the EU’s CE mark for many products. View further information about product regulations in Norway.

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Mattilsynet is responsible for regulating:

  • Food and water
  • Animals
  • Fish and Aquaculture
  • Cosmetics
  • Plants

Direktoratet for Byggkvalitet is responsible for building regulations.

Services regulations

Information on rules for selling services and business travel to Norway is available on gov.uk.

Intellectual property

As a first step, we advise you to speak to an intellectual property lawyer if you think you need patent protection when exporting.

All trademark and patent applications for Norway must be registered with Norway’s Patent Office Patentstyret.

Free trade agreement

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, Norway and the UK have negotiated a new free trade agreement (FTA) together with Iceland and Liechtenstein. The UK-EEA EFTA FTA was implemented for Norway on 1 December 2021, and replaced the Agreement on Trade in Goods.

You can use online tools Trade with the UK and Check how to export goods to check product-specific and country-specific information on tariffs and regulations that currently apply to UK trade in goods. These tools are regularly updated to reflect any changes.

Trade barriers

Check for any reported barriers to trading with Norway.

Report any trade barriers that are affecting your business so we can help fix them.

Operating in Norway

Norway is a sophisticated, established market with a long, trusted trading relationship with the UK. It has an educated, technologically advanced society looking for high-quality products and services. Regular meetings/visits are important to build relationships with customers. The market is competitive, and a strong unique selling point is essential.

Routes to market

Having local Norwegian speaking representatives and local knowledge is necessary in certain sectors:

  • Importer/distributors/agents – are necessary in many sectors including food and drink, security, sales to public sector (where procurement is by tender), industrial supply chains
  • Direct sales – are possible, and more normally an option for services

Payment terms

Norwegian companies are used to dealing in GBP, EUR and NOK. Payment terms are often (but not always) 21-28 days.

Next steps

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