European Consumer Centres Network TOURISM IN NORWAY

European Consumer Centres Network TOURISM IN NORWAY

European Consumer Centres Network
TOURISM IN NORWAY
This brochure will provide you with information on tourism in Norway. You will find
practical advice and important legal information covering the different topics. We
have tried to include all the relevant information concerning travel to Norway and
your stay in Norway; however the information provided is not fully detailed on all
points and should be viewed as a guide not as a verbatim statement of the law.
Arrival
Border controls: Nationals of the Schengen Agreement
On arrival in Norway, you must show a valid passport or other official document that satisfactorily establishes
your identity and nationality.
Norway takes part in the Schengen co-operation and hence nationals from countries within the Schengen
area (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden), do not have to show their passport when entering Norway.
However you must show an official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity. We therefore
recommend you to bring your passport after all.
For all other nationals a valid passport is necessary.
Visa requirements
For some nationals a visa is required in addition to a valid passport. General rule: A visitor's visa may be
issued for tourist travel, family visits, official assignment, business travel, study or for other reasons. A
visitor's visa is valid for a maximum of three months.
For foreigners from outside a Schengen Agreement state, a “short stay” (3 months max) visa granted for any
Schengen agreement signatory country is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the
Schengen treaty.
Foreigners living in a Schengen Agreement state and being holders of a valid “title of stay” are exempted
from the obligation of having a visa as long as they stay for less than three months.
Customs Allowances
Norway is not a member of the EU, therefore imports from EU countries will generally be treated like imports
from countries outside the EU.
If you are entering Norway with goods or currencies in excess of the permitted limit, you have to notify the
customs authorities accordingly of your own accord. It is a punishable offence to give incorrect information
to the customs authorities.
Within the limit of NOK 6000/3000, you are allowed to bring with you the following articles free of customs
and excise duty:
Alcoholic beverages
a) 1 litre of beverages with more than 22 up to and including 60 % alcohol per volume as well as 1½ litre with
more than 2.5 up to and including 22 % alcohol per volume or 3 litres with more than 2.5 up to and including
22 % alcohol per volume .
b) 2 litres of beer with more than 2.5 or other beverages with more than 2.5 up to and including 4.7 %
alcohol per volume.
Tobacco
a) 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products and
b) 200 leaves of cigarette paper.
The minimum age for importing tobacco products is 18 years.
Meat, meat products, milk and milk products
Meat, meat products, cheese and foodstuffs except dog and cat food, totalling 10 kg altogether from EEA
countries. From countries outside the EEA, it is prohibited to bring meat, meat products, milk and milk
products with one in one’s luggage. Such products must be imported through a veterinary border control
station, and the goods must be accompanied by a health certificate.
Goods, the import of which, is prohibited without special permission
• drugs, medicines and poisons (minor quantities of medicine for personal use are permitted)
• alcohol over 60 % per vol.
• weapons and ammunition
• fireworks
• potatoes
• mammals, birds and exotic animals
• plants/parts thereof for cultivation
Currency
When entering Norway you are allowed to bring with you Norwegian and foreign bank notes and coins at a
total value of NOK 25 000. If the currency you are carrying exceeds this amount it has to be declared on a
form available from the customs authorities. There is no limit on travellers’ cheques.
Endangered animal and plant species
In compliance with the Washington Convention (CITES) as well as national legislation it is not allowed to
bring endangered animal or plant species or products made of them into Norway. Examples of endangered
species are elephant, leopard, tiger, wolf, wolverine, some crocodile and snake species, some birds of prey,
eggs of some bird species as well as some orchids and cactuses. For more information, please contact the
Directorate for Nature Management or the Norwegian Customs Service.
Travelling with your pets
Dogs, cats and ferrets which are kept legally in Sweden may be brought to Norway without any
requirements.
Import of dogs, cats and ferrets from EU countries (except Sweden) require the following;
1. Identification
The animal must be identified by a microchip or a clearly readable tattoo. If the microchip does not comply
with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785, the importer must provide the means necessary
for reading the microchip. The animal must be identified before the rabies vaccination.
2. Vaccination against rabies and neutralising antibody titration
The animal must have been vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine of at least one antigenic
unit per dose (WHO standard). The rabies vaccination and revaccination, if necessary, must have been
carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturing laboratory and the vaccination
must be valid1).
In addition, dogs and cats (not ferrets) must have been subjected to a neutralising antibody titration at least
equal to 0,5 IU/ml carried out in an EU approved laboratory on a blood sample taken not earlier than 120
days after the latest vaccination and not later than the day the validity of the vaccination expires. This
antibody titration does not need to be repeated on an animal which, following that titration, has been
regularly revaccinated at the intervals without a break in the vaccination protocol required by the
manufacturing laboratory.
Neither vaccination against rabies nor neutralising antibody titration is required for dogs, cats and ferrets
imported directly from UK and Ireland into Norway.
Unvaccinated young animals cannot be imported to Norway from other countries than UK and Ireland unless
permission has been granted by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
3. Echinococcus treatment
Dogs and cats must have had tapeworm (echinococcus) treatment with an appropriate dosage of medicine
containing e.g. praziquantel maximum 10 days before arriving Norway. This treatment must also be repeated
within 7 days of arrival. Both treatments, including the name and dosage of the medicine, must be certified
in the pet passport.
Treatment against echinococcosis is not required for ferrets and for dogs and cats which have not been
outside Norway; Sweden and Finland in the last 12 months.
4. Pet passport
The animal must be accompanied by a pet passport, carrying the identification of the animal and entries by
a veterinarian concerning rabies vaccination, the neutralising antibody titration and the echinococcus
treatment.
5. Border control
Dogs, cats and ferrets imported to Norway from EU countries (except Sweden) and the required
documentation must be presented to the customs upon arrival (red zone).
Note
1)A primary anti-rabies vaccination is considered as valid 21 days from the date of completion of the
vaccination protocol. A revaccination (booster) is considered as valid from the date of revaccination where
the vaccine is administered within the period of validity of the previous vaccination. The revaccination is
considered as primary vaccination in the absence of veterinary certification attesting the previous
vaccination.
Dangerous dogs means dogs/breeds which are particular aggressive, willing to fight and persevering, and
because of these characteristics are dangerous to humans and animals. It is prohibited to keep, breed or
import dangerous dogs. It is also prohibited to import semen and embryos from dangerous dogs.
Dogs of the following breeds/crossbreeds with the following breeds are considered to be dangerous:
*
*
*
*
*
Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Fila Brasileiro
Toso Inu
Dogo Argentino
Also dogs that are crossbreeds of dog and wolf are considered to be dangerous.
Useful phone numbers
Police emergencies
Fire & Large accidents
Amulance & Medical
emergency
Oslo – emergency dentists:
112
110
113
+47 22673000
Shopping in Norway
Opening hours
Shops general opening hours Monday - Friday: 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday: 9 am – 3 pm, some supermarkets
are open: 7 am – 8 pm or even 11 pm. Shops are closed on Sundays and for Public Holidays. Shopping
centres opening hours are Monday - Friday 10 am - 8 pm, Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm.
Banks general opening hours Monday - Friday: 9am to 3 pm. Some are open to 5 pm on Thursdays except
during Summertime. The banks are closed om Saturday, Sundays and for Public Holidays.
Post offices opening hours Monday - Friday: 9 am to 6 pm Saturday: 9 am to 3 pm. Not all post offices have
the same opening hours, and some close earlier. Post offices are closen on Sundays nd for Public Holidays.
Post offices in shops have the same opening hours as the shops.
VAT
There VAT base rate in Norway is 25%. For foodstuffs the rate is 11%.
Shopper’s rights
From 1st July 2002 a buyer’s rights and obligations are governed by a new Act on consumer purchases. The
Act is applicable to all purchases you make of goods as a private person as from 1st July 2002, as long as the
seller is a professional seller.
A fundamental principle of the Act on Consumer Purchase is that the seller is not permitted to give you
inferior terms than provided by this act. If the seller has his own specific sales conditions, they are only valid
if they make you better off than the conditions of the Act.
What can you demand from the commodity?
The Act on Consumer Purchase stipulates that the commodity shall be as you have agreed upon with the
seller. If you have informed the seller that the commodity is intended for some special use, you may claim
that the commodity is fit for the purpose. You are entitled to a commodity with the qualities and durability the
seller has informed you of upon the purchase, through advertisements, on posters, packing etc.
If you have not agreed upon anything special, the Act on Consumer Purchase stipulates that you are entitled
to a commodity which
* has the same properties and durability as goods of equivalent standard
* has the same properties as a sample or model you have looked at
* is of equivalent quality and standard as the seller has informed you of either directly or through
marketing
* meets with public safety requirements
* is properly packed
* is free from charges
* has an operating manual in an understandable language.
If the commodity is not in accordance with what you have agreed upon, or what you may claim according to
the law, the commodity is defective. This means that you may claim that the seller re-delivers, repairs, gives
you a price reduction, cancels the purchase and/or gives you compensation. (Below you will find more details
on what you may claim).
The act states that all defects that arise within the first six months shall be regarded as (factory) flaws, if not
the seller establishes other proof . That is, the seller has the burden of proof that the defect is not caused by
him. After the first six months as a main rule, you as buyer have the burden of proof. Be aware that it is
enough also in such cases that you point out to the seller that the commodity is not in accordance with the
agreement or the requirements of the law. The seller then has a duty to look into the matter, i.e. a duty to
examine the cause of the defect. If the seller does not find the cause, or the cause is rooted in poor quality,
it is a defect.
Not all defects of a commodity are defects according to the Act on Consumer Purchase. Defects having arisen
because of wear and tear, or defects relating to unwarrantable or irregular usage cannot be reckoned as
flaws. If the seller finds that this has caused the defect, you yourself have to pay for the repairs. NB! The
seller may only charge you for the repairs or the examination if it is agreed upon beforehand and you have
caused the defect yourself.
Please note that when you buy second-hand things, the seller often sells it “as is”, “as presented”, “as
demonstrated” or with similar reservations. The intention is here to restrict your rights. Even if such a
reservation has been made, it is a flaw if the commodity is in poorer condition than you could expect from
what has been said, the price and age of the thing. It is also a flaw if the seller has kept back information of
importance, or the commodity lacks the qualities the seller has promised.
What are you entitled to if the commodity suffers from a defect?
If the commodity suffers from a defect, you can claim that the seller gives you a new equivalent thing
(re-delivery), or that the seller straightens/adjusts the defect. You have a right to choose between a new
commodity or repair of the defective one. The seller can only claim to repair the commodity if it is impossible
to procure a new one (e.g. that the commodity has gone out of production), or if it will entail unreasonable
costs to procure a new one. This means that you cannot claim redelivery of commodities which are expensive
and tend to fall much in value (e.g. cars and motor cycles), whereas it will be just a matter of routine to claim
redelivery of mass-produced commodities which are at stock (such as mobile telephones, clothes etc.).
Either the seller procure a new commodity or mends the defect, you may claim that this is done without
expenses for you, that is, you will get compensation for all expenses you have had in connection with having
the defect mended.
If you choose that the seller shall repair, or the seller is entitled to repair, you can as a main rule claim a
substitute commodity in the meantime if it takes more than one week to have the defect mended. Also note
that according to the Act on Consumer Purchase the seller has only two chances to correct the same defect.
If he fails to do so, you can claim a price reduction or cancellation of the purchase.
The reduction in price shall be equivalent to the object’s reduced value. If the commodity is only worth half
as much with the defect, you can claim a 50% price reduction. If the defect is not immaterial, you can instead
of price reduction claim to have the purchase cancelled. In that case you must return the commodity to the
seller, while the seller must refund you the purchase amount plus penalty interest from the time of complaint.
If you have suffered a financial loss, you can in addition in some cases claim compensation from the seller.
Be aware that you have an obligation to reduce the loss, and that you cannot get compensation for losses in
business.
When do you have to complain – periods for entering complaints
If you discover that there is something wrong with the commodity, you must notify the seller within
reasonable time. It will always be sufficient enough to complain within two months after you discovered the
defect, but in practice as quick a reaction as possible would serve both you and the seller best.
Besides having to complain within reasonable time, you must keep the deadlines. The main rule says that the
complaint must be lodged within two years at the latest from the date you took over the commodity. The
period allowed is, however, 5 years if the commodity is intended to last considerably more than two years.
This is relevant for instance capital goods like furniture, cars, radio/TV-sets and builders’ supplies. Be aware
that the seller may have allowed you longer time-limits than the act stipulates. We recommend you to
acquire written documentation as to when you complained and what was the problem, so that there will be
no doubt that the complaint was made in time.
If you, as a foreign consumer, are feeling mistreated by a Norwegian professional, the European Consumer
Centres (ECC’s) will be pleased to help you to find an amicable settlement of the dispute. You can find further
information and a complete list of all ECCs under:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/redress/ecc_network/index_en.htm
Sales: Tips when you go “bargain hunting” …
There are no specific sales periods in Norway
The legal guarantee still applies to items purchased at a reduced price.
Tax-free shopping
If you are a citizen from a country outside Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland you can claim a VAT
refund on your purchase. There are approximately 3,000 Norwegian shops that offer this service. Look for
the tax-free shopping sign whenever you shop for NOK 310 or more.
Taxis
You can find them at taxi ranks (indicated by a square sign, saying “Taxi” in white on blue background), or
hail one of them in the street (provided that it is free: the sign “Taxi” on the roof is then fully lit). The fares
are regulated in Norway according to the time (day or night tariff) and distance. All taxis in Norway accept the
most common credit cards such as VISA, American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard and MasterCard. You
should inform the driver at the start of the trip that payment will be done with a credit card.
Postal services, telephone and internet
Postal services
Mail boxes: in Norway, mail boxes are yellow and red and can be found along the street and in every Post
Office and main train station. Mail collection times are displayed on the boxes.
Stamps: You can buy stamps at any Post Office and at some kiosks and tourist shops. Postage costs vary
according to the weight of your mail and its destination.
Delivery times: For A-post delivery times are 1-2 days in Norway, and 2-4 days in Europe. B-post will have
a longer delivery time.
Telephone
The international phone number of Norway is 0047
Norway is well covered by the various Norwegian mobile phone operators. Find out from your operator which
Norwegian network to choose, in order to use your mobile phone in Norway at a lower cost.
Phone boxes accept coins.
Internet
3 Internet Cafes can be found in most cities throughout Norway. Rates may vary, but you will be charged
according to the amount of time spent using the computer. To find an Internet Cafe ask at the local tourist
office.
If you loose:
If you loose your credit card or bank card, contact your bank or the credit card company to cancel your card.
Animals found in Norway are taken care of by Falken or the police before being sent to Foreningen for
omplassering av dyr (FOO). If you loose your pet, contact the local police.
We recommend that you contact your embassy and the police if you should loose your ID papers whilst in
Norway.
If you find your car has been removed you should contact the police.
For other lost items, we advise you also to contact the police as they have a lost and found section there.