Import/export of animals, plants, and
pets
General information
The Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and
Norwegian legislation prohibit the import of endangered animal or
plant species, or products made from them, into Norway. Examples of
endangered species include elephant, leopard, tiger, wolf,
wolverine, certain crocodile and snake species, certain birds of
prey and eggs of certain bird species, as well as certain orchids
and cactuses.
Neither endangered animals and
plant species nor products made from them may be exported from
Norway. Examples of endangered species which can be found in Norway
and are covered by this prohibition are wolf, arctic fox and
wolverine, as well as some birds of prey. Exporting the eggs of
endangered bird species is also prohibited.
Norway’s animal import regulations
are very strict. There have been no incidents of rabies in Norway
since 1814, and the import of animals which may carry this disease
– including dogs, cats, and ferrets – is especially restricted.
No diplomatic privileges are
extended in connection with importing animals into Norway.
Further detailed information about
importing pets and the new EU/EEA pet passport can be obtained from
Norwegian foreign service missions. Alternatively, you may wish to
consult the
Norwegian Food Safety Authority’s website (in
Norwegian) (click on
Import/Eksport in the menu bar at the top, then
Sports- og kjæledyr left menu bar).
Pets
Dogs, cats and ferrets imported to
Norway must fulfil specific requirements regarding rabies (i.e.
they must be vaccinated and have a blood test). The rules are based
on Commission Regulation (EC) No. 998/2003 and concern only pets
accompanied by their owner or person responsible for them on behalf
of the owner and not intended to be sold or transferred (including
as a gift). The EC Regulation introduced a pet passport scheme,
under which dogs, cats, and ferrets originating from EU/EEA
countries are issued with a passport and animals from outside the
EU/EEA are required to have a veterinary certificate issued by an
official veterinarian.
Norwegian and Swedish dogs and cats
may travel without restrictions between the two countries. For
animals imported into Norway or Sweden, import documentation must
be available on demand. Permission to import animals other than
dogs, cats and ferrets may be granted. Applications for import
permission should be made to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority or
the Directorate for Nature Management. No application form is
required.
If import requirements are not
fulfilled, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority can decide to expel,
quarantine or put down the animal(s) in question. The animal’s
owner is responsible for all expenses incurred in connection with
importing it to
Norway.
Restrictions
It is prohibited to import the following dog
breeds (whether pure- or crossbred) to Norway: Pit Bull Terrier,
Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, and American
Staffordshire Terrier.
It is also prohibited to import reptiles (except
certain tortoises, provided a special permit has been granted),
other exotic animals, animals presenting a danger to Norwegian
nature, or protected animals.
It should be noted that heavy
penalties are imposed for violation of the rules regarding the
importation of animals into Norway.
