Parcel forwarding from France to Norway: outside the EU, import VAT, delays
Norway is part of the European Economic Area, but not of the customs union: a parcel from France is an import there, with its declaration and its VAT. Here's what that changes, the delivery times we see, and why French prices are worth the detour.
Norwegian retail is among the dearest in Europe, and many French brands have no shop there — nor delivery. On a French site, an address in Oslo or Bergen hits the same wall as an address in Geneva: outside the Union, so outside the delivery zone. For a Norwegian, or a French person settled there, a French address changes the maths.
This guide explains where the price of a shipment comes from, how to bring it down, and what awaits you on arrival. The exact price of your own parcel to Norway is calculated live on our estimator, from its weight and size.
Two ways to get a parcel to you
You order yourself. On French sites that accept your card, you enter your FrenchShopper address at checkout. To the shop you're a French customer; the parcel lands at our warehouse, we receive it, and we forward it to you. The address is free and comes with your account.
We buy for you. On Vinted, Leboncoin, and any seller who only ships within France or rejects a Norwegian card, you send us the link: we check it, quote it, and once you've paid, we buy with our own French account and card. The details are here.
Either way, your items wait for free for 45 days in our warehouse so you can gather several — and everything leaves in one box, with one shipping charge.
How the shipping price is built
Our price covers transport, packaging and insurance, and it depends on two things: the weight of the box and its size. Carriers charge on whichever is higher, actual or volumetric weight — a big half-empty box is billed as if it were full. For every shipment to Norway, you see all the available offers, with their price and delivery time, before you pay.
The rule that matters: the price rises far more slowly than the weight. A lone 1 kg parcel is the worst ratio between what you get and what you pay; several orders in one box is the best. Estimate your parcel from its real weight, before you order anything.
The delivery times we see
On our measurements to Oslo, FedEx Regional Economy shows delivery six days after handover to the carrier; Colissimo International and Chrono Classic show about ten. Customs clearance is included. Each offer displays its own time before you pay.
What Norwegian customs collects
A parcel from France is an import. Norway collects VAT on imported goods, calculated on the declared value, transport included, and customs duties on some categories — clothing and textiles are among them, food too. The carrier advances those sums, claims them at delivery, and adds a clearance fee. There's a simplified scheme for low-value goods sold by registered foreign shops, VOEC; it doesn't apply to a forwarded parcel, whose VAT is settled on arrival. Thresholds and rates change: check them with Norwegian customs, Tolletaten, before a large order.
One useful point for secondhand: a purchase between private people on Vinted or Leboncoin carries no French VAT at the origin. You don't pay twice — but you should budget for Norwegian VAT, and possible duties on clothing.
What we do, and what we don't
- We declare the real value of your items, as it appears on your invoices. It's the law, and it's what protects you: our insurance covers the declared value.
- We never under-declare, even on request. An under-declared parcel can be held, taxed on an estimated value, or seized.
- Duties, taxes and handling fees are never in our price: they depend on Norway, not on us, and can only be known on arrival.
Why Norway is made for consolidation
Every shipment to Norway carries a declaration, a clearance and the carrier's handling fee. Five orders shipped separately is five times those fixed costs; gathered into one box, once. Consolidation isn't an option here: it's what separates expensive from reasonable. Your items wait for free for 45 days for that.
Frequently asked questions
Is Norwegian VAT included in your price?
No — it can't be. Norwegian customs assesses it on arrival, on the declared value, with possible duties, and the carrier collects it at delivery with a clearance fee. Our price covers transport, packaging and insurance, never destination taxes.
Are there customs duties on clothing in Norway?
Yes, Norway applies duties to some categories, including clothing and textiles, on top of import VAT. The rate depends on the item: check it with Tolletaten before a large order.
How long does a parcel from France to Norway take?
On our measurements, six days with FedEx Regional Economy, and about ten with Colissimo International or Chrono Classic — customs clearance included. Each offer shows its own time before you pay.
Does French Vinted ship to Norway?
No. French sellers almost all restrict their listings to France, and Norway is outside the Union. For anything on Vinted or Leboncoin, we buy it for you with our French account, then ship it with the rest of your finds.
