Recent changes to US customs and import rules have made shipments from Norway more bureaucratic - and often more expensive - than before.
I'd rather spend my time making instruments, not interpreting customs rules and political statements, but unfortunately this directly affects my customers in the USA. Here is a short and concrete explanation of what has changed, why shipping can look “crazy” in the store, and what customers in the US can expect when they order instruments from me.
What has changed?
1) The US has tightened up on low-value shipments (“de minimis”)
The U.S. suspended duty-free “de minimis” (Section 321) treatment that previously allowed many low-value parcels to enter more easily. Implementation began from August 29, 2025 (with channel-specific procedures and timelines).
2) Posten’s USA solution now requires prepaid import charges for 0–800 USD shipments
Posten (The Norwegian postal service) states that new U.S. requirements mean import charges must be prepaid for dutiable shipments valued 0–800 USD, handled directly in Posten’s online booking flow. That means the “shipping” amount you see can include more than just postage.
Why is shipping around NOK 1451 when it used to be ~NOK 400?
Previously I could often charge a “normal” shipping rate (typically around NOK 400). Now the shipping line can be the sum of:
Example (parcel to USA, 2 kg):
- Postage: NOK 505
- Prepaid U.S. import duties/taxes: NOK 900
- Import processing/clearance fee: NOK 46
= Total: NOK 1451 (about $140-$150, depending on exchange rate)
Key point: it’s not simply “postage getting more expensive” — the shipment can now bundle import charges and handling fees that were previously handled differently (or billed on delivery).
Who pays for this - me or the customer?
In my online store, this normally has to be paid as part of the shipping/checkout, i.e. by the customer.
The upside is that when import charges are handled upfront, you will usually avoid a surprise “pay-on-delivery” customs invoice when the parcel arrives (final assessment can still be made by the destination customs authority).
The Greenland dispute: possible additional tariffs on top
On top of the general changes above, news reports say the Trump administration has threatened an additional tariff on goods from several European countries (including Norway) tied to the Greenland dispute — reported as 10% from Feb 1, 2026, potentially rising to 25% from June 1, 2026 if tensions escalate. If implemented as reported, this could further increase the import portion of shipping.
What do I do now?
- I ensure correct digital customs declarations (product description, value, origin).
- I try to be open about the cost picture before you order.
- I'll keep an eye on changes and update the info here when I know more.
Questions before you order? Send me a message!