Norwegian Customs considers a gift any item whose giver and recipient are both private individuals. Any duty owed on gifts sent will be due and payable on your recipient's end at the recipient's customs office or post office. In most instances, cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. However, more and more customs locations are now accepting credit cards.

Sending a gift TO Norway? For gifts with value greater than 25,000 NOK or equivalent, you must complete a simple import/export form, which is available at the local post office, on the Norwegian customs website, or by contacting Norwegian customs directly.

You may post the form in advance or bring it with you to when you ship. It is suggested that you post the document at least five to seven days in advance.

If you're shipping a package to Norway from another country, be warned that, unfortunately, the Norwegian postal service sometimes loses packages. Small packages are riskier than larger packages. Make sure to insure your parcel, and request a tracking number. Correctly prepare all customs paperwork with the help of your selecting shipping company. All essential paperwork will be available at any reputable delivery company.

In order to ensure that you, rather than the recipient, pays taxes on more expensive packages, consider using a shipping company with a Norwegian presence. Some global shipping companies charge recipients for duties, in addition, however. So if you're shipping to Norway, consider using a gift service accustomed to Norwegian customs policies. These services tend to be very reliable and knowledgeable.

Norwegian customs require 24% tax be paid on shipments that require clearance with a value above US$ 20.

Tax may also be added prior to release to the recipient, depending on the item.

The following items may not be shipped to Norway under any circumstances:

•Cash

•Nonperishable food items

•Any medical products or medicines, without permission from a Norwegian doctors*

•Furs

•Seeds or soil

•Dangerous goods, as defined by IATA

*Note that Viagra and some other medications that are legal in other countries may not be imported to Norway.

Customs may open and inspect your package once it arrives in Norway. Do not ship illegal items, and be aware that gift wrap may be damaged by inspection. More expensive packages are more likely to be searched, as are smaller packages. Packing a small gift in a large box decreases the chances of the package being searched.

Sending a Gift FROM Norway? Even if duty is paid upon entry to the foreign country, Norwegian customs will require that you fill out their simple declaration form before sending the gift. Those forms are available at every post office.

The duty-free limit for gifts mailed from Norway depends on the country of destination. To the United States, for example, the limit of a gift's value is US$ 200. Again, a gift is considered any item given from a private individual to another private individual. If a company is the giver or recipient of an item, the item is not considered a gift. Always save your receipts and include them in the package, if you don't mind. You pay any additional duties if a gift's value is over US$ 200.

What can you not send or bring from Norway? Most fruits and vegetables cannot be sent from Noway to other countries such as the United States under any circumstances. Other restricted items include seeds, soil, and items considered dangerous by IATA or the US Department of State's current international travel regulations. Dangerous items include weapons, illegal substances, and other potentially harmful items. If you aren't sure whether or not an item is considered dangerous, contact IATA.

Please note that customs regulations are subject to change. Before sending gifts to or from Norway, visit the website of the recipient's country's customs office or the U.S. Department of State website. The IATA is also an excellent resource.

You may also want to contact a customs officer in Norway, who will be happy to answer any questions you have about shipping into or out of Norway.