How To Import a Car From Japan to Norway

Importing a car into Norway has never been easier with our guide on How to import a car from Japan to Norway.

Having a clear understanding of the regulations and criteria for importing a car will make the process, which can be confusing at first, much more simple.

Let’s follow along with Car From Japan to learn more about the importing process you’ve been waiting for!

Can I Import and Register a Car from Japan to Norway?

Yes, it is now possible to import and register a car in Norway conveniently with a range of means and support parties to help you solve every problem. Rest assured that you are not alone on this journey!

However, to successfully import a car and be able to operate it freely on the streets of Norway, you need to pay attention to a few notices and criteria for importing and registering a car.

In general, imported cars to Norway will not be limited to a minimum or maximum age. You can choose vehicles of different ages in stable condition. However, be careful with the VAT rates of each type and consider the import duties for a successful purchase.

We will discuss this in more detail in the following sections.

Pros and Cons of Importing Cars from Japan

Famous for their durability and practicality, cars from Japan have proven their worth since the early days of development until reaching out to the world. Car enthusiasts, in general, will mostly own at least one imported Japanese car in good condition and mileage.

So, if you plan to buy a car from Japan, below are some strengths and weaknesses of this car line you need to consider more carefully before learning how to import a car from Japan to Norway.

Benefits of a Car From Japan

There is no doubt that you are looking for a car with durability and practicality because a car from Japan will ensure that criteria for you. High durability, remarkable fuel economy, and advanced car technology are all their great strengths.

For drivers who love speed and prominence, a car from Japan can also offer unique models with rare colors and designs, making the experience on the road more special.

Not only that, if you choose a satisfactory car from Japan, even if it is just a second-hand model, you will still buy it at a bargain price. The amount can be reduced by about 20% or even 50% compared to the original price.

Drawbacks To Purchase a Car From Japan

Although buying a car from Japan has many advantages, we cannot deny that some difficulties can arise with these purchases.

Furthermore, at the port, the car may also have to undergo strict technical inspections to meet standards. And in the end, the vehicle may not be eligible for import, no matter how much you love it and want to have it your own.

Therefore it is always suggested that you do some research about import procedures before making the purchase.

Shipping times and currency exchange rates are other reasons that can make your experience of importing a car from Japan tiring and complicated.

But just so you know, beyond all of the cons, can be a value that is worth waiting for. 

How to Import a Car from Japan to Norway: The Steps

After mentally preparing and weighing the pros and cons of an imported Japanese car, if you still want to add a few months of vehicle buying experience, here are the basic steps you can follow.

A general note before importing a car into Norway is that you should clearly understand the relationship between the parties. 

If you are an importer, importing a car will be a relationship between you, the Norwegian Tax and Customs, and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. In which:

• Norwegian Customs: Collects customs duties
• Norwegian Tax Administration: Collects related taxes
• Norwegian Public Roads Administration: in charge of approving and registering vehicles in Norway.

Step 1: Before taking the imported vehicle to Norway

There are certainly many things to do before taking your car to Norway to achieve a thousand-dollar deal. However, here are a few key points to keep in mind.

Check the condition of your car and re-check with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to see if it meets the standards and technical requirements for import and registration in Norway.

The car must then pass a technical inspection at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Offices (DVLOs). So be sure to contact them (book an appointment in advance) to determine the specific requirements applicable to cars accepted for import into Norway.

In addition, you should check some additional information with the authorities of the country where you will receive the car, such as:

• Export restrictions and export clearance
• Valid car license plates and insurance to enter/use in Norway.

Once you have completed the above checks, you can rest assured about the car imported to the Norwegian border later.

Step 2: Vehicle arriving at the Norwegian border

When the vehicle arrives at a Norwegian port, you should inform the nearest Norwegian customs office that your car from Japan has entered the Red zone.

Note: The Red zone is the area in Norwegian customs that applies to goods or items subject to duties and taxes or require a special pass.

In case you do not possess a transit declaration, Norwegian Customs will issue and give it to you at the border. It is a document certifying the right to use a vehicle registered abroad, with the permitted distance from the border to your target customs office in Norway.

Only if the vehicle imported from Japan has proof of insurance can you use it with a foreign plate (registered) to the customs office.

At this step, you can pay the value-added tax as soon as the vehicle has crossed the border. However, you must validate and confirm with the customs office in advance whether it is allowed.

RELATED ARTICLE: How To Import A Car From Japan To The UK

Step 3: Pay VAT and duties at Norwegian Customs

If you are unable to pay VAT at the Norwegian border, you must cover all customs clearance procedures at Norwegian Customs, along with any greenhouse gas tax.

After collecting the vehicle at the port, after 1-3 days, you need to be at the Norwegian Customs office to complete the procedures with the following documents:

• Transit declaration (received from abroad or the Norwegian border)
• Vehicle purchase invoice (or contract), shipping invoice, documents on vehicle charges before arriving in Norway
• Original foreign registration documents and certificate of conformity (CoC, for cars produced for European markets)

Here are some notes on duty and VAT applicable to vehicles imported into Norway for your reference:

• Free duty and VAT for electric vehicles
• Duty free for vehicles 30 years or older
• 90% duty reduction for used cars from 10 to 20 years old
• Conventional vehicles are subject to VAT of 25%

The duty rate is based on the general condition, weight, or car engine age.

Note that cars over 30 years old are considered “Classics” (veteran) in Norway and are therefore exempt from a lot of taxes and even get duty-free.

So if you are interested in a Classic and want to make it a Norwegian one, just know that you will get tons of benefits when registering and using it here!

After completing the payment and customs clearance, you will receive a tax and registration notification card in Norwegian, Melding til avgiftsberegning og registrering (NA-0221). 

Secure it for the next task in the process of importing cars from Japan to Norway at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.

Step 4: Get a temporary vehicle registration certificate

30 days is the maximum time you can drive with a foreign license plate after completing customs procedures. But during this period, you still need a valid vehicle registration certificate, insurance, or license plate to use the vehicle.

You can buy temporary license plates at the Norwegian Roads Administration office, but they need the chassis number to issue the plates to you. 

Make sure the license plate and insurance are valid, and check with the Norwegian Roads Administration or the foreign authority that issues the driver and vehicle license.

You can buy temporary license plates at one of the Norwegian Roads Administration’s Driver and Vehicle License Offices (in Norwegian only). The Roads Administration needs the chassis number document to issue the temporary license plate.

The frontier insurance or Trafikkforsikringsforeningens can also be a document you can buy to prove that the license plate and insurance are valid.

Step 5: Wait for the vehicle approval by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration

There are two possible cases, importing a used car or a new car from Japan.

Used cars need to be inspected at DVLOs, while new ones will be checked at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration with a CoC document.

For both types, remember to bring the Melding til avgiftsberegning og registrering (NA 0221) issued at Norwegian Customs.

You can refer to the types of cars exempted and reduced in tax at skatteetaten.no. Note that these notices are not available in English, so make sure you understand each type and the costs to be covered.

Step 6: Finish one-off registration tax

Paying the one-off registration tax and the scrap deposit tax is the next step in the process of importing cars from Japan to Norway.

You can pay electronically as soon as the car is approved or apply for an alternative calculation method no later than 15 days after registering. This application type can help your car be taxed based on the price and mileage (if it is a used car).

Note that dealers registered as duty-liable with the Norwegian Tax Administration can claim a one-off registration tax deduction.

Step 7: Register the vehicle at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration office

After clearing all the fees and taxes, we head to the almost complete stage, registering the vehicle.

The needed documents include:

• Norwegian tax and registration notification card, Melding til avgiftsberegning og registrering (NA 0221)
• Original foreign vehicle registration document
• Certificate of conformity (for cars produced for European markets)
• Vehicle purchase invoice or contract (include vehicle price)
• Import tax and VAT payment bill
• Traffic insurance
• Passport or identity document (proof of identity)
• Proof of residence in Norway (if any)

During car registration, remember to return the foreign license plate to receive a Norwegian license plate. And last notice, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration will send you the vehicle registration certificate by post.

So that’s a wrap! Here are the entire basic steps on how to import a car from Japan to Norway that you can briefly grasp to understand the tasks and the general costs to cover!

READ MORE: How To Import A Car From Japan To The Ireland

How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car from Japan to Norway?

Depending on the condition of the car and the smoothness of the shipping process, you should expect a car import bill with each related task and duty.

The average overall cost of importing a car from Japan to Norway can be about 30% – 50% higher than the original purchase price. To avoid too much trouble and surprise when calculating costs, here is a price list for reference.

Car From Japan hopes you will use it as an additional reference source to help you cover almost all price ranges for each step.

How Long Does It Take to Import a Car from Japan to Norway?

In addition to price, the car import time is also a top concern within the whole process.

In general, the average time to import a car from Japan to Norway is about 2-3 months (8-13 weeks), with possible delays from the transportation stage, car inspection process at customs, time to complete paperwork, etc.

Below is a summary table of the periods you can refer to for more information about the stages when importing and registering a car in Norway.

For more information on How to import a car from Japan to Norway or any country you wish for, contact Car From Japan today!