How can we help you today?
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How to avoid extra work and delays
Bad and incomplete invoices create a lot of extra work and delays in the customs clearance process.
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What is a commercial invoice?
A commercial invoice is a document from the sender in which information about the sender, the recipient, the shipment, the contents, quantity, value and payment terms are stated. When clearing customs, the invoice is used as the basis for any tax calculation.
What should a commercial invoice contain?
In Norway, it is the Accounting Regulations that state what an invoice must contain:
Invoice number and date
Buyer and seller name and address
Product description
Delivery time and place
Amount and time of payment
Any VAT and other fees if relevant
Incorrect customer clearance is the most common mistake when importing to Norway.
There is no requirement that the VAT/MVA number belonging to Norwegian recipients be applied to invoices issued by foreign suppliers. Norwegian businesses can, however, inform and request that a foreign supplier enter their VAT number, to ensure that it is entered into customs at the correct business.
What is a pro forma invoice?
What should a pro forma invoice contain?
A proforma invoice is issued when payment is not due for the goods delivered. Examples:
Replacement goods
Warranty goods
Gifts
Return goods
Samples, etc. where the recipient does not have to pay for the item
A proforma invoice must be written on it
Date of issue
Sender and recipient name and address
Product description
Quantity, weight
Item value
It must be stated that the item is not to be paid for
Most countries have the same requirements for invoice content. Nevertheless, many invoices accompanying goods to Norway are defective. This creates problems for the person who must declare/clear the goods. The customs authority requires that information as mentioned above appear in the invoice during customs clearance.
What should an invoice look like?
Notification to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority
There are no requirements for how an invoice should look, but it is an advantage if they are universally designed.
UN's proposal for a standardized commercial invoice. (In English)
Regulations on bookkeeping chapter 4 for more information. (In Norwegian)
Altinn's requirements and what information must be included in a trade invoice. (In Norwegian)
Check out what the Swedish customs authorities write about invoice content (in English)
If foodstuff is sent from outside the EU the invoice needs to be accompanied by a notification to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The notification contains HS code, description, gross/net weight, origin and sending country.
Phytosanitary certificate
Proof of origin
Certain plants, plant products and other objects needs to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate guaranteeing that they are properly inspected, free from quarantine pests, within the requirements for regulated non-quarantine pests and practically free from other pests. For complete information, see the website of The Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
There are duties on some goods being imported to Norway, first and foremost textiles and food. To get reduced duties the invoice needs to be accompanied by proof of origin. An invoice with invoice declaration, EUR1 or Form A (Generalized System of Preferences).
Permits
Packing list
Some goods are restricted and needs to be accompanied by permits, like weapons, medicines etc.
Must contain a description of the goods, weight and the number of collies.
Common errors that can cause delays.
Invoice with a foreign buyer: Any invoice needs to contain a Norwegian entity listed as IOR, buyer, importer etc.
Invoice with Norwegian entity only as delivery address: We cannot accept an invoice with the Norwegian entity only listed as delivery address, it needs to be IOR, buyer, importer etc.