If you need to send freight to Norway from the UK, here at RSJ International Freight we have 20 years experience of sending freight to and from the Scandinavian market.
We provide a reliable freight and shipping service, for customers in the UK and Norway.
Whether you are looking to send commercial goods, your personal belongings, or some type of specialised cargo, we are familiar and used to managing the logistics including the customs declarations, transport, and costs.
How to send Freight to Norway – The Process
1. Initial Consultation
Whatever you need to send to Norway (or send from Norway to the UK) just get in touch and we will evaluate your needs and provide a costing based on the:
- Size of your freight to Norway.
- If any special packaging or consideration is needed (such as if perishable freight)
- The most suitable freight transport for your shipment
- Timeframes
2. Freight Quotation
- Cost Estimate: The costing/quotation we provide you will detail all costs including the fees for customs clearance, transportation, and everything needed to get the freight from your building to the destination in Norway.
3. Preparation and Documentation
- If your freight to Norway requires packaging and preparation we can organise all aspects of the freight movement for you.
- One key aspect of any international freight movement is to ensure that all customer documentation and declarations are not only provided but are accurate. We can help prepare documentation for you if you need to send freight to Norway from the UK.
4. Transportation
The type of transportation we would use to send freight to Norway for you will depend on a number of factors including the speed of delivery requirements you have, the type of freight and weight and your budget.
After an initial chat, we can suggest the best option from:
Sea Freight
- For sizeable freight shipments to Norway, where there is enough time given, sea freight can be a good option.
- From the UK we are able to send sea freight into Norwegian ports such as Oslo, Bergen, or Stavanger and sent from ports such as Felixstowe or Southampton. Typically might involve a 3 to 6-day journey time.
Road Freight
- For relatively small and medium-sized shipments and where speed is not absolutely essential, road freight can be a good option for Norway. This option is sometimes combined with using sea freight.
Air Freight
- If speed is of the essence and the freight is deemed suitable for putting on an air freight service, then flying the freight to Nowary can be the best option from the UK.
5. Customs Clearance
- We can take care of customs clearance forms and planning, submitting any necessary documents to the Norwegian customs authorities.
- We will also sort out the payment of customs and export/import duties and taxes for you, as required by the Norwegian authorities.
6. Post-Delivery Support
- We value your feedback and welcome your input as we are always looking to fine-tune our service. We have excellent reviews and a very happy customer base but we always strive to improve and maintain the level of service we provide for UK to Norway freight shipping.
- Customer Service: It is very rare that the freight runs into issues but global issues can occur and in these instances, we are always here to support and work to resolve any issues as quickly and efficiently as we can.
UK-Norway Trade Relationship
The UK and Norway tend to have a very good working relationship in terms of trade and customs.
Norway is an important UK trade partner, aided by both being in the European Economic Area (EEA), which helps with trade movement and flow between the UK and Norway.
Key Trade Facts
- Imports and Exports: The main trade sent from the UK to Norway is machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and food products. From Norway, the UK’s biggest imports are oil, gas, seafood, and chemicals.
- Economic Cooperation: At the time of writing there seems to be good cooperation between Norway and the UK, both with strong maritime history.
Customs and Documentation Requirements
When sending freight from the UK to Norway, getting the documentation right is important, to save any headaches further down the line and to avoid delays and fines. The following need to be considered:
1. Import Regulations
Norway has fairly strict regulations surrounding the safety and quality of products entering the country.
This includes standards for food safety, environmental protection, and consumer safety.
2. Customs Declarations
All shipments must be declared to Norwegian customs authorities.
This process involves submitting detailed information about the goods, including their value, origin, and classification under the Harmonized System (HS) codes.
Documentation Requirements
You will find that when sending freight to Norway, there are certain documents that you need prepared, in order to make sure the freight arrives in a timely manner and without issues. The following documents are especially important:
Bill of Lading: This is a receipt for the goods and transportation. Information such as the shipping company used, shipper, consignee, and the goods being transported.
Certificate of Origin: This certificate provides clarification regards where the goods originate from.
Export Declaration (EXA): Expected by UK customs, the EXA gives customs information about the goods being sent.
Import Declaration (IM) and VAT: When the freight arrives in Norway, the import declaration form is needed and VAT should be paid.
FAQS
1. How Long Does It Take to Ship to Norway?
We do get asked this often regards time frames and we can estimate this but we first need to chat with you to understand:
- What type of transportation will be needed (depending on the type fo freight you need to send to Norway)
- The size and type of freight (for perishable freight for example speed can be of the essence)
2. What Factors Can Affect the Shipping Times
A range of things can affect shipping time and sometimes these things are external such as local IT glitches but they are rare. The most common factors are:
a) Customs Clearance: This can take time BUT with well-prepared documentation forms we can help you to reduce any potential issues with the clearance through customs for your cargo or freight.
b) Holidays and Weekends: Public holidays and weekends in both the UK and Norway can affect transit times, as customs offices and shipping companies may operate on limited schedules.
Shipping Route Options to Norway
Shipping routes from the UK to Norway vary based on the mode of transport chosen. Each mode—sea, road, and air—has its own specific routes and logistics considerations. Here’s an overview of the common shipping routes for each mode:
Sea Freight Routes
The key ports and routes include:
- Major ports in the UK, such as Felixstowe, Southampton, and London Gateway, are commonly used for shipping to Norway.
- Norwegian Ports: Key ports in Norway include Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, and Trondheim.
Common Routes:
- Felixstowe to Oslo: A direct sea route connecting the UK’s largest container port to Norway’s capital.
- Southampton to Bergen: This route connects the UK’s major deep-water port to one of Norway’s important western ports.
- Immingham to Stavanger: A frequent route used for shipping industrial goods, given Immingham’s role as a major hub for bulk cargo.
- London Gateway to Trondheim: This route serves central Norway, facilitating trade with the country’s key industrial region.
Road Freight Routes
Road freight involves driving through continental Europe, typically using the Channel Tunnel or ferry services to cross from the UK to mainland Europe. Common routes include:
- UK Departure Points: Major logistics hubs and cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham are common starting points.
- Continental Crossings:
- Dover to Calais Ferry: The most frequently used crossing, with ferries running multiple times a day.
- Channel Tunnel (Folkestone to Calais): Offers a faster, less weather-dependent alternative to ferries.
- Mainland Europe Route:
- Calais through Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany: Trucks typically drive through these countries, entering Denmark and using the Øresund Bridge to Sweden, then proceeding to Norway.
- Entry Points into Norway:
- From Sweden: The primary road entry point into Norway is through the Swedish border near Gothenburg, continuing to Oslo or other Norwegian destinations.
Air Freight Routes
Air freight is the fastest shipping method and involves direct flights or flights with layovers. Key routes include:
- UK Airports: Major airports such as London Heathrow, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Manchester.
- Norwegian Airports: Primary cargo airports include Oslo Gardermoen, Bergen, and Stavanger.
- Direct Flights:
- London Heathrow to Oslo Gardermoen: The most frequent direct air freight route, with multiple daily flights.
- Manchester to Bergen: A common route for time-sensitive shipments.
- Indirect Flights: Routes with stopovers at major European hubs like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Copenhagen before reaching Norway.
Given you are reading about how to send freight to Norway, you might also be interested in sending freight to Sweden?
Get a Quote
Ready to send Freight to Norway
Why not get in touch and have a chat about how we can help you.
To speak with one of our logistics experts, call us at: Telephone: +44 – 0117 932 1160
Alternatively, you can get a quote here.