WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
1 October 2012 
 (12-5300) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the 
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures 
 
NORWAY 
   The following notification, dated 28 Septem ber 2012, has been received from the Permanent 
Mission of Norway. 
 
_______________ 
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IM PORT LICENSING PROCEDURES ........................... 1  
I.  AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ............................................................................................. 1  
A.  I
MPORT LICENCE FOR CERTAIN PRODUCTS WHIC H MIGHT BE USED AS FEEDING STUFF 
IN DOMESTIC ANIMAL PRODUCTION  ............................................................................................ 2  
B.  SECURITY MECHANISM AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR DUTY - AND QUOTA -FREE 
IMPORT OF GRAINS , FLOUR AND FEED PRODUCTS FROM LEAST -DEVELOPED 
COUNTRIES (LDCS ) AND LOW -INCOME COUNTRIES (LICS) WITH LESS THAN 75 MILLION 
INHABITANTS  ..............................................................................................................................  4 
II.  ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES .................................................................................................. 5  
III. MEDICINAL PRODUCTS ...................................................................................................... 7  
IV.  FIREARMS, FIREARM COMPONEN TS AND AMMUNITION ...................................... 9  
V.  EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES INCLUDIN G PYROTECHNICAL ARTICLES .............. 11  
VI.  ENDANGERED SPECIES .................................................................................................... 13  
 
 
I. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 
Outline of system 
1. There are two automatic licensing systems pres ent in Norway. This includes a licence for 
certain products which might be used as feed in domestic animal production (see A below). This is 
introduced as part of the comprehensive price and ma rket system in the grain and feeding stuff sector. 
 There is also (see B below) an automatic li censing of certain agricultural products that are 
substitutes to domestically produced grains, and ar e imported both duty-free and out of quota, from 
64 developing countries (least-developed countries (LDC s) and low-income countries (LICs) with less 
                                                      
 1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
Page 2 
 
 
  than 75 million inhabitants).  This system aims at insuring that import from these countries will not 
cause serious market disturbances in the domestic market. If the expected import volumes of grain and feed-products from the 64 countries reach a leve l where the volumes threaten to cause market 
disturbances, a safeguard mechanism might be br ought into force. Another rationale behind this 
system is to give priority to imports from the poorest developing countries. 
 A. I
MPORT LICENCE FOR CERTAIN PRODUCTS WHIC H MIGHT BE USED AS FEEDING STUFF IN 
DOMESTIC ANIMAL PRODUCTION  
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. This licence is required for all importers, and a licence is issued to all importers who have 
handed in an end-use statement to the Norw egian Agricultural Authority. (The Norwegian 
Agricultural Authority is administratively under the Ministry of Agriculture, and has been delegated 
the entire responsibility of administering the import regime for agricultural products.) 
 The end-use statement shall confirm that th e products covered will not be used as feeding 
stuff in domestic animal production.  The products co vered by this regulation were listed in Annex 1 
to Norway's 2008 notification.2 The system is introduced as part of the comprehensive price and 
market system for grains, meals and feeding stuff in Norway. The purpose is to secure that products 
suitable for use as feeding stuff are not importe d under cover of another end-use, and therefore 
withheld from the tariffs applicable for feeding stuff products. In the Uruguay Round, the tariff 
equivalents of the former quantitative import rest rictions on feeding stuff (the State monopoly for 
importation of feeding stuff) were calculated. This resulted in a system of dual tariffs on certain 
products so that higher tariffs are levied on produc ts meant for use in animal production, and lower 
tariffs in case of other uses.  3. The system has a global application. 
4. Imports are not regulated on a quantitative basis.   The purpose is described under the reply to 
question 2. 
5. The regulation of 9 June 1995, number 556 on im port licences for certain products which can 
be used for animal feeding is introduced pursuant to the Act of 6 June 1997, number 32, concerning 
import- and export-regulations. Th is Act may not be abolished without legislative approval. 
Procedures 
6. There are no restrictions as to the quantity or value of imports. 
I. Information on imports is given in the fo rm of public announcements. The Agricultural 
Authority also sends information on changes in tariffs and related matters to enterprises and 
others who have asked to be put on an e-maili ng list.  Information is also provided on request. 
 
II. It is not a quantitative measure. 
 III. Import licences apply to the applicant.  IV. N/A.  
V. The normal processing time is one week. 
                                                      
2 Available for consultation in the Secretar iat (Market Access Division) (English only).  G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
 Page 3 
 
 
  VI. The licence is valid from the date of issuing. 
 VII. The Agricultural Authority has been delega ted the entire responsibility of administering the 
import regime for agricultural products, includi ng the issuing of licences. This body is under 
the Ministry of Agriculture. 
 VIII. N/A.  IX. There are no special arrangements for products subject to export licensing in the exporting 
country. 
 X. N/A.  XI. This is not an arrangement  under which import licences are issued on condition that the goods 
should be re-exported. 
 
7. Under the system there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or from a 
particular country. 
(a) Licence is automatically issued to all importe rs who have handed in an end-use statement. 
The end-use statement must be submitted to the Norwegian Agricultural Authority before 
import licence is granted. 
 (b) Import applications must be written. The application will be handled without unnecessary 
delay. 
 
(c) Applications for licences are not limited to any particular time of year. 
 (d) The Norwegian Agricultural Authority issues the licence. 
 8. If the applications meet the criteria, a licence is granted.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for a licence 
9. All applications are granted irrespective of the firm which makes the application. 
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for licence 
10. The following information is required in the ap plication: Name and address of applicant, item 
number according to the Norwegian customs tariff,  description of goods, end-use statement, country 
of origin, and other relevant information (suc h as date, signature, tele phone number, reference). 
11. At the actual time of importation, the origin al invoice must be presented along with a plant 
disease certificate and/or a veterinary certificated where this is required. 
12. There are no charged levies or other licensing fees. 
13. No deposit or advance payment is required for licensing. 
Conditions of licensing 
14. The end-use statement required for the issuing of import licences is time-limited, and a new 
statement must be handed in after the expiry date. G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
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  15. There is no penalty on licences which have not been used or on licences which have only 
been used partially. 
16. Licences cannot be transferred between importers. 
17.   There are no other conditions attached  to the issuing of licences except the 
above-mentioned. 
 
Other procedural requirements 
18. There are no other administrative procedures required prior to importation apart from 
veterinary, phytosanitary and quality regulations. 
19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided. 
B. SECURITY MECHANISM AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR DUTY - AND QUOTA -FREE IMPORT OF 
GRAINS , FLOUR AND FEED PRODUCTS FROM LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (LDC S) AND 
LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES (LIC S) WITH LESS THAN 75 MILLION INHABITANTS  
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. This automatic licensing system covers imports of grains, flour and feed products from the 
least-developed countries (LDCs) and low-income countries (LICs) with less than 75 million 
inhabitants. The products covere d by this regulation were liste d in Annex 2 to Norway's 2008 
notification.3 
3. The licensing system for grains, flour and f eedproducts originating in LDCs and LICs with 
less than 75 million inhabitants applies only to  products originating in these countries. 
4. The intention of the system is, as described un der the outline of the system, to prevent serious 
market disturbances. In case of an expected serious  market disturbance caused by a major increase in 
import of grains, flour or feed-products from LDCs and LICs with less than 75 million inhabitants, the 
duty- and quota-free import of such products from these countries might be suspended.  
5. Regulations pursuant to the introductory provi sions to the customs tariff lay down provisions 
for the security mechanism and su rveillance system for duty- and quota-free import of grains, flour 
and feedproducts from le ast-developed countries (LDCs) and low-income countries with less than 
75 million inhabitants. The General System of Prefer ences is adopted by the Parliament (Stortinget). 
Procedures 
6. There are no quantity or value restrictions, as the licence is issued at the volume applied for, 
as long as the security mechanism is not activated. 
7.(a) The licences are given for the followi ng periods: 1 August–7 November, 8 November–
24 April and 25 April–31 July. The application must be made at least 10 days before the 
period starts. 
(b) See 7(a). 
 
(c) See 7(a). 
                                                      
3 Available for consultation in the Secretar iat (Market Access Division), English only.  G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
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  (d) The application is considered by  the Norwegian Agricultural Authority. 
 8. N/A. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. All persons, firms and institutions are elig ible to apply for licences as long as they are 
registered in the Register of  Business Enterprises in Norway. 
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for licence 
10. The following information is required in the application: Name and address of applicant, item 
number according to the Norwegian customs tariff , description of goods, expected import date, 
country of origin, and other relevant inform ation (such as date, signa ture, telephone number, 
reference). In addition the agricultural authority mi ght require a contract (or a confirmation) as to 
ensure that the import materializes. 
11. At the actual time of importation, the orig inal invoice must be presented along with a plant 
disease certificate and/or a veterinary certificated where this is required. 
12. There are no charged levies or other licensing fees. 
13. No deposit or advance paym ent is required for licensing. 
Conditions of licensing 
14. The licences are given for the following periods: 1 August – 7 November, 
8 November-24 April and 25 April–31 July. 
15. There is no penalty for non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence. 
16. The licence is not transferable. 17. There are no other conditions attached to the issue of a licence except as  described in replies 
two to nineteen. 
Other procedural requirements 
18. There are no other administrative procedures required prior to importation apart from 
veterinary, phytosanitary and quality regulations. 
19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided. 
II. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 
Outline of system 
1. Alcoholic beverages may only be imported by  parties who are authorised to engage in 
wholesaling, hold a production licence, an extended retail licence or a serving licence extended to 
cover imports. Alcoholic beverages may also be imported by Vinmonopolet. Private persons may, for 
their personal use, import alcoholic beverages with out a licence. This is regulated by Act No. 27 of 
2 June 1989 on the Sale of Alcoho lic Beverages (Alcohol Act).  
 G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
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   When a private person imports alcoholic bevera ges the Directorate of Health and the Customs 
and Excise Authorities may require documentation that the alcoholic beverage is for personal use, if 
the quantity, or other circumstances, give reason to  believe that it is not. If such documentation cannot 
be submitted, the goods cannot be imported without au thorization or licence mentioned above. This is 
regulated by Regulation No. 538 of 8 June 2005  on the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages (Alcohol 
Regulation).  
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. The types of licensing systems that giv es the right to import alcoholic beverages: 
Trading activity 
 
(a) Authorised to engage in wholesaling (registered with the Customs and Excise 
Authorities (the Customs Region), as liable for excise duties). 
(b) Production licence in Norway. 
(c) An extended retail licence in Norway. 
(d) A serving licence extended to cover imports in Norway. 
(e) Imports by Vinmonopolet. 
 Private imports for personal use require no licensing, but documentation that the alcoholic 
beverage is for persona l use may be required. 
 
3. The systems apply to alcoholic beverages from all countries. 
4. The purpose is to curb the harm to the so ciety and the individual that may result from the 
consumption of alcoholic beverages. 
5. Trading activities under letters (a)–(e) in answer 2 are regulated by Act No. 27 of 2 June 1989 
on the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages (Alcohol Act), Ch apter 2.  Authorisation to engage in wholesaling 
is also regulated by Regulation No. 1451 of 11 December 2001 on special duties. 
 Private imports for personal use are regulated by Regulation No. 538 of 8 June 2005 on the 
Sale of Alcoholic Beverages (A lcohol Regulation), Chapter 15. 
 
Procedures 
6. There are no restrictions regarding quantities or value of alcoholic beverages imported to 
Norway. However, authorisation/licence to import is  required if the alcoholic beverage is not for 
personal use, cf. answer to question 1. 
7.(a) Applications for authorisation to be engaged in wholesaling one month in advance. 
(b) Import licence is not required as long as the alcoholic beverage is  for personal use. 
 
(c) No. 
 (d) To obtain an authorisation to be engaged in  wholesaling, approaches have to be made to the 
Customs and Excise Authorities (the Customs Region).   G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
 Page 7 
 
 
  8. None.  The applicant may appeal in accord ance with Act 10 February 1967 on procedure in 
cases concerning the public administration.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
9. All persons over 18 years old (over 20 years ol d for alcoholic beverages containing more than 
22 per cent alcohol by volume) are eligible to import alcoholic beverages for personal use.  
 To be authorised to engage in wholesaling you must be a registered firm (in your current 
Customs Region) of good repute in relation to several acts.  There is a register of authorised firms. 
There is no registration fee.  There is a public register: http://www.helsedirektoratet.no/bevillingsregisteret. 
 
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for licence 
10. To be authorised to engage in wholesaling you have to provide the information described in 
Regulation no. 1451 of 11 Decembe r 2001 section 5-5 on special duties, including information about 
the stock, the warehouse, the account routines and turnovers.  
11. When wholesalers import the registration number must follow the imported goods. 
12. No administrative charges. 
13. No deposit required, however Section 14- 21 second paragraph of the Tax Payment Act 
provides that, at the time of registration or late r, the Customs Region may require the undertaking to 
furnish security for excise duties that the entity becomes liable for in the future. 
Condition of licensing 
14. There is no validity period for the regist ration as liable for excise duties (wholesalers).   
15. There is no penalty  for non-utilisation. 
16. The licence is not transferable. 17. There are no other conditions. 
III. MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
Outline of system 
 
1. A licence is necessary for companies who want  to import medicinal products for (whole)sale. 
  Personal imports from outside the EU/EEA-are a are prohibited. However, the Norwegian 
Medicines Agency can permit an exception under sp ecial circumstances. In these cases a licence is 
necessary.  An import licence has to be applied fo r.  In practice such licences are given when a 
shipment is stopped by the Customs, not in advance.   
Purpose and coverage of licensing 
2. The licensing systems are the two mentioned above.  The products covered are medicinal 
products. G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
Page 8 
 
 
  3. Companies' imports: from all countries inside EU/EEA-area an import license is necessary. 
From countries outside this area a manufacturing–li cence is necessary.  Imports of medicinal product 
not intended for medical use can be imported from all countries.  Personal imports: a licence after 
exception is needed from countries outside EU/EEA-area.   
4. The overall purpose of the licensing system is to ensure that medicines sold on the Norwegian 
market have good quality, are effective and safe to use.  
5. Medicinal Product Act (04/12/92 No. 132) § 12 and §13, Regulation (21/12/93 No. 1219) 
regarding wholesaling, Regulation (02/11/04 No. 1441) regarding production and imports of 
medicinal products. The notion of a medicinal pr oduct is defined by the above regulation. A 
legislative approval is necessary to abolish the system.  
Procedures 
6. There are no such restrictions. 
7. (a) Applications from companies shall be handled  within 90 days, but there is usually a much 
shorter time-limit. Goods arriving at the port without licence can under special circumstances 
be imported for the one case if it later will be given an import licence. 
 Applications from persons  will be handled within one or a few days.    
 (b) Usually not, see 7(a).  (c) No. 
 
(d) No, the permission is given by the Norweg ian Medicines Agency. The Customs control the 
imports.   
 8. If the company is not registered in Norway, th e application will be refused.  The reason for a 
refusal will be given to the applicant. It is possible to appeal the decision to the Ministry of Health and 
Care Services under an administrative procedure. The applicant may also refer the matter to a court of 
law.    
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Everyone, both companies and individuals, are eligible to apply for an import licence. 
Companies have to be registered in Norway. Ther e is no registration fee. The Norwegian Medicines 
Agency publishes a list containing the co mpanies which have an import licence.  
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for licence  
10. An application form is submitted at request.  Th e company has to fill in the application form 
and eventually give additional information, if required.  
11. The importer has to present the import licence to the Customs. 
12. No.  
13. No.  G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
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  Conditions of licensing 
 
14. Normally the validity of a licence is five years.  In certain cases the period can be shorter. The 
period of validity may be extended afte r an application for extension.   
15. No. 
16. No. 
17. No.  
IV. FIREARMS, FIREARM COMPONENTS AND AMMUNITION 
Outline of system 
1. Act No. 1 of 9 June 1961 relating to firearms  and ammunition etc. and Regulation No. 904 of 
25 June 2009 on Firearms, Firearm Components a nd Ammunition require a permit granted by the 
Chief of Police for commercial and non-commercial imports of firearms, firearm components and 
ammunition (not covered by Act No. 39 of 14 June 1974 relating to Explosive Goods (applies only to 
Svalbard) or the Fire and Explosion Prevention Act).  
 Commercial imports of ammunition from a me mber state covered by the EEA Agreement 
may only occur pursuant to Directive 93/15/EEC  of 5 April 1993 on the harmonization of the 
provisions relating to the placing on the market and supervision of explosives for civil uses. 
Purpose and coverage of licensing 
2. Permit for commercial and n on-commercial imports of firearms, firearm components and 
ammunition. 
 3. The system regarding import licensing of  firearms, firearm components and ammunition 
regulates imports from all countries.  
4. The purpose of the permit is to ensure that  only suitable persons imports firearms, firearm 
components and ammunition.  5. Act No. 1 of 9 June 1961 relating to firearms  and ammunition etc. and Regulation No. 904 of 
25 June 2009 on Firearms, Firearm Components and Ammunition.  The permit is statutorily required.  
It is not possible for the government or the executiv e branch to abolish the system without legislative 
approval. 
 
Procedure 
6. Not applicable. 
 
7.(a) A person needs a permit granted by the Po lice for commercial and non-commercial imports of 
firearms, firearm components and ammunition before importation. 
 (b) No.  (c) No. 
 
(d) Yes, the Chief of Police. G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
Page 10 
 
 
  8. Police supervision of applicati ons for commercial import permits: 
 
In addition to check that a person who seeks an im port permit is licensed to trade in firearms, 
firearm components and ammunition, and that the application meets the requisite formalities, the 
police evaluates whether the type and number of w eapons the application concerns are defensible 
from policing, security and social points of view. 
The reasons for any refusal sha ll be given to the applicant. 
The applicant has a right to appeal to the National Police Directorate. The procedures are 
pursuant to Norwegian administrative law. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
9. Everyone is eligible to apply for a permit. 
 
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for licence 
10. The application for commercial imports of firearms, firearm components or ammunition and 
non-commercial imports of ammuniti on must contain information on: 
 
- the applicant's (the firm's) full name and address;  - the number, nature or type, trademark, name  of model, mechanism (type) and calibre, for 
imports of firearms/firearm components; 
 
- the quantity and weight, for imports of ammunition;  - the name and address of the supplier;  
- whether the consignment is expected to  arrive in several consignments; and 
 - who has granted the applicant a permit to conduct trade in firearms etc.    The importer must also supply a copy of the document showing the purchase price.  
 The application for non-commercial imports of  firearms, firearm components or ammunition 
must contain information on:  - the applicant's full name and address, date of  birth and birthplace, and job or profession; 
 
- mechanism (type) and calibre of  firearms/firearm components; 
 - the applicant's potential use of the weapon;  and  - the applicant's firearms permit, if he has one.  
11. A permission granted by the Chief of police. 
 12. The fee for commercial imports of firearms , firearm components or ammunition is one per 
cent of the value, but minimum NOK 125 and maximum NOK 5160 (the court fee multiplied by six). The fee for non-commercial imports of firearms, firearm components or ammunition is minimum 
NOK 430 and maximum NOK 860.  G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
 Page 11 
 
 
  13. For commercial imports of firearms, firear m components and ammunition the importer have 
to pay the fee either when an application is made  or within 14 days after a permission is granted. 
 
Conditions of licensing 
14. The permit for commercial imports of firear ms, firearm components or ammunition is valid 
for a period of three months. It may on app lication be extended for further three months. 
  The permit for non-commercial imports of fi rearms, firearm components or ammunition is 
valid for a period of six months. It may on a pplication be extended for further six months. 
 
15. No.  16. Transfer of an import permit is prohibited.  17. No. 
 
Other procedural requirements 
 
18.  No.  
19.  N/A. 
 
V. EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES INCLUD ING PYROTECHNICAL ARTICLES 
Outline of system 
1. Imports of explosive substances, including py rotechnical articles, require an import licence. 
Explosives produced in conformity with interna tional agreements are only subject to transfer 
approval.   Both import licence and transfer approval are regulated by Act no. 20 of 14 June 2002 on the Prevention of Fire, Explosion and Accidents invol ving Hazardous Substances and the Fire Services' 
duties in Rescue Operations, and the Regulation no. 922 of 26 June 200 2 on handling Explosive 
Substances. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. Explosives covered by the Council Directive 93/15/EEC of 5 April 1993 on the 
harmonization of the provisions relating to the placi ng on the market and supervision of explosives for 
civil uses, transferred from a county within the EEA is regulated by the Regulation on handling 
Explosive Substances chapter 4, and according to  Article 4-1 requires a transfer approval. 
 
Imports of explosives, ammunition for techni cal use and signal devices, from a country 
outside of the EEA is subject to import aut horization, cf. Regulation on handling Explosive 
Substances Article 5-1, as well as pyrotechnical ar ticles not covered by Council Directive 93/15/EEC, 
also coming from countries within the EEA. Explos ives and pyrotechnical articles are defined in 
Regulation on handling Explosive Substances Article 1-3.   Fireworks class I, as defined in Article 1-3, 
and safety matches are exempted from import authorization. 
3. The import licensing system applies to e xplosives coming from countries outside the EEA, 
and pyrotechnic articles from all countries.  The syst em with transfer approval applies to explosives, 
but not to pyrotechnical articles, coming from countries within the EEA. G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
Page 12 
 
 
  4. The purpose of the import licensing procedure is  to ensure public safety and security, and not 
to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  5. See point no. 1 on under which law and regulation the licensing is maintained. 
 
 The above mentioned licensing is statutorily required, and it is not possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval.   Designation of products to be subject to licensi ng is not left to administrative discretion, but 
follows directly from the law. For certain reas ons, exemption may be given for provisions in the 
Regulation on handling Explosive Substances, provided there is no conflict with international 
agreements entered into by Norway, cf. Article 17-3.  
Procedures 
6. Not applicable (No quantity or value restrictions). 
 
7.(a) Application for a licence must be made in time for the licence to be granted before actual 
importation. Applications for import licences are normally considered and replied to within 
one to two weeks. As an exception, a licence may be obtained within a shorter time-limit, 
provided that all the general conditions, i.e.  documentation, are complied with, and the 
necessary administrative resources are available. 
 (b)  No.  (c) No. 
 
(d)  Applications for an import licence are consid ered only by a single administrative organ, the 
Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning. Appeals, on the other hand, are passed on to a higher administrative organ. 
8. There are no circumstances for an application to be refused other than failure to meet the 
general provisions. The reasons for a refusal are co mmunicated to the applicant. Applicants have a 
right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence. Appeals are passed on to a higher 
administrative organ, the Ministry of Justice and th e Police. Appeals are sent to  the first instance for a 
preliminary assessment, and are then passed on to the higher instance for final judgement.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
9. Only firms registered as an Explosiv es company may be granted an import licence. 
Companies are registered in the National register  of business enterprises, Brønnøysundregisteret. 
There is a registration fee. There is not a publishe d list of authorized importers. The Regulation on 
handling Explosive Substances Article 5-3 requi res importer course for companies that import 
fireworks in class II, III, and IV, and theatrical pyrotechnics.  Documentational and other requireme nts for application for licence 
10. Sample form was made available, as part of Norway's 2008 notification.4 
  The importer is also required to attach to  the application the following information: 
 
                                                      
4Available for consultation in the Secretar iat (Market Access Division)(English only).  G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
 Page 13 
 
 
  - Documentation on storage; 
- Documentation on area for destruction; - Documentation test area for initial inspection (applies only to pyrotechnical articles).  
11. The import licence/transfer approval. 
 12. There is no licensing fee or administrative  charge for imports, only value added tax. 
 13. No. 
 
Conditions of licensing 
14. Import authorization is valid for maximum three years, but only until the granted amount of 
explosives actually is imported. The validity of a licence may not be extended.  15. No. 
 
16. No.  17 No.  Other procedural requirements 
18. No.  19.  N/A. 
 
VI. ENDANGERED SPECIES 
Outline of system 
1. By virtue of the Convention on Internationa l Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and 
Flora (CITES), of which Norway is a member, im port of such species that are covered by the 
Convention are subject to licensing. CITES aims to  ensure that no speci es are threatened with 
extinction as a result of non-sustainable internatio nal trade. Species covered by the Convention are 
listed in Appendices I, II or III, according to how threatened each species are by international trade. 
Relevant for the purpose of this questionnaire are import of species listed under Appendix I of the 
Convention, as import of such species require an import licence.   The CITES convention is implemented in the No rwegian legal system through administrative 
order of November 15
th 2002 No. 1276, with statutory authority by Law of June 6th 1997 No. 32 §§1 
and 3 (act relating to the regulation of imports and exports, see http://lovdata.no/cgi-
wift/wiftldles?doc=/app/gratis /www/docroot/all/nl-19 970606-032.html&emne=innf%F8rsle*&&)  
 
Law of May 29th 1981 No. 38 § 26 No. 9 (act relating to wildlife and wildlife habitats, see 
http://lovdata.no/cgi-wift/wiftldles?doc =/app/gratis/www/docroot/all/nl-19810529-
038.html&emne=vilt*&&),  
 
Law of June 15th 2001 No. 79 § 26 (2) (Svalbard Enviro nmental Act, see http://lovdata.no/cgi-
wift/wiftldles?doc=/app/gra tis/www/docroo t/all/nl-20010615-
079.html&emne=svalbardmilj%F8*&&,  
 G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
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  Law of July 17th 1925 No. 11 § 4 (Act relating to  Svalbard, see http://lovdata.no/cgi-
wift/wiftldles?doc=/app/gratis /www/docroot/all/nl-19 250717-011.html&emne=svalbard*&& and  
 
Law of February 27th 1930 No. 2 § 2 (Act relating to Jan Mayen, see http://lovdata.no/cgi-
wift/wiftldles?doc=/app/gra tis/www/docroo t/all/nl-19300227-
002.html&emne=jan*%20%2b%20mayen*&& 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. The Convention establishes a system for c ooperation between all State parties to the 
Convention with regards to all import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species 
covered by the Convention to be authorized th rough a licensing system. Products included in the 
licensing system are the species (and their by-produ cts) listed in one of the three Appendices. The 
purpose of this coverage is: 
a) To place a strict limitation on trade in wild speci mens and by-products of species classified as 
endangered, cf. Appendix I; 
b) To establish a system of monitoring of specime ns and by-products susceptible to becoming 
endangered through a licensing mechanism, cf. Appendices I and II; 
c) To allow individual countries to exercise surveillance on importation in other countries 
specimens and by-products of species which are considered endangered by the exporting 
country only, cf. Appendix III. 
 
3. The system applies to endangered species or iginating in and exported from all countries. 
 
4. Se point 1 above. The licensing system allo ws importation in endangered species and their 
by-products in internationally agreed circumstances. 
 
5. See point 1 above law and administrative order under which the licensing s maintained. 
Endangered species are placed in Appendices I, II and III.  It is not possible either to make the regime 
more flexible or to modify the legal bases. 
Procedures 
6. Not applicable (i.e. no quantitative restrictions). 
7.(a)  An individual import permit is normally gran ted after a review peri od of 1-4 weeks provided 
the criteria for issuing a permit are met. Theref ore it is recommended that an application is 
submitted giving the CITES authorities reasonabl e time before the expected date of 
importation to review the application. Import li cences are usually not granted retrospectively. 
(b)  See point 7A above. 
 (c)  N/A. 
 
(d)  Permit applications are processed by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management, 
which is the single administrative organ that the applicant needs to contact. 
8. An applicant for a licence may only be refused wh en the application fails to meet the ordinary 
criteria set out in the Convention. If the criteria have  not been met, the applicant will be informed of 
the reasons for refusal. In such even t, an appeal may be forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment.  
  G/LIC/N/3/NOR/7 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Citizenship and residency are not criteria. 
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for licence 
10. The applicant is required to provide informa tion about the specific specimen of the species 
requested for import such as the origin of the sp ecimen and the purpose for the request of import. The 
application form is to be found at http:// www.dirnat.no/content/431/Slik-soker-du (go to 
"Søknadsskjema om eksport eller import av arter").  
 Documentation issued by the appropriate CITES au thorities in the country of origin or in any 
subsequent re-exporting country au thorizing export, must accompany all applications. A product 
arriving in Norway without a duly authentic CITE S export permit will not be cleared by Norway 
Customs and is subject to seizure. 
11.  Documents required upon actual importation are both authentic CITES documents issued by 
the appropriate CITES authorities in the country of origin or in any subsequent re-exporting country 
authorizing export, and authentic CITES documenta tion issued by the Norwegian Directorate for 
Nature Management authorizing import.  12.  No fees. 
 
13.  N/A.  
Conditions of licensing 
14.  CITES import permits are valid for a maximum of 6 months from the date of issuance. The 
period of validity may be extended by replacement of the original permit. 
 15.  No. 
 
16.   No. 
 
17.  No. 
Other procedural requirements 
18.  No. 
 19.  N/A.   
 
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