Oilfield equipment crosses borders constantly — tools ship into Norway for a single operation and return afterwards. Handle the customs treatment wrongly and the equipment sits at the border while the rig rate runs.

Why temporary import exists

The arrangement prevents equipment that will only be in the country briefly from being charged full import duty as though it had been sold into the market. The equipment is entered, used, and re-exported within a deadline.

The condition is that the same equipment leaves again, and that it can be identified — typically by serial number.

ATA carnets

An ATA carnet is an international customs document for the temporary admission of, among other things, professional equipment. It replaces national customs declarations and security deposits in participating countries.

The carnet is practical for equipment moving through several countries in sequence, but demands precise line-item accuracy: what is listed must match what actually ships.

The documentation that decides the outcome

  • Precise goods description and correct tariff classification.
  • Serial numbers where the equipment must be identified on re-export.
  • Origin documentation where preferential treatment applies.
  • Value — including for equipment that is not sold, since value underpins the security deposit.
  • Dangerous goods documentation where the equipment contains classified substances.

The most common reasons cargo is held

  • The goods description is too generic to identify the equipment.
  • Serial numbers on the document do not match the unit shipped.
  • The re-export deadline passes without an extension.
  • The equipment has been modified or partly consumed, so it is no longer the "same goods".
  • Dangerous goods have not been declared.

Practical advice

Settle the customs treatment at the same time as the transport booking, not afterwards. Classification and documentation take time to correct, and errors typically surface once the cargo is already moving.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between temporary and permanent import?

Under temporary import the goods must leave the country again within a deadline and are treated differently for duty. Under permanent import the goods enter the Norwegian market and are cleared in full.

Do ATA carnets work everywhere?

No, only in countries participating in the ATA scheme. Outside those, national temporary admission procedures must be used.

What happens if the re-export deadline is missed?

Customs authorities can require the goods to be cleared normally, with the associated duties. An extension must be applied for before the deadline expires.

Need help applying this in practice?

Tell us about the operation and we'll respond with a concrete plan within one business day.

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