Norway is tightening its restrictive measures against Russia

Norway is going in the same direction as EU countries bordering Russia, and has clarified that the ban on the import of Russian-registered passenger cars with nine or fewer seats also includes temporary admission. Norway is also introducing some exceptions to these restrictions. These changes will come into effect on 2 October 2023 at 24:00.

"Norway stands together with allies and like-minded countries in response to the brutal war of aggression that Russia is waging against Ukraine. It is crucial that the sanctions are effective in order to prevent income that the Russian state needs to finance the war," says Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.

The EU Commission issued updated guidance on the temporary import of, among other things, Russian-registered vehicles on 8 and 12 September. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have followed the EU Commission's guidance by no longer allowing Russian-registered cars to cross the border into the EU, with some exceptions. Norway is now implementing similar measures.

The new clarification of the restrictions means, among other things, that Russian-registered passenger cars with nine or fewer seats can no longer be brought into Norway, even temporarily. However, this regulation does not apply to vehicles with ten or more seats. It is still possible to cross the border with, for example, minibuses and buses at the Storskog border station as it stands now. The clarification is related to the import of goods and does not change the conditions for entry that applies to individuals.

Exceptions are made for vehicles owned by Norwegian citizens or EEA citizens with permanent residence in Russia or their family members, temporary entry of vehicles necessary for humanitarian reasons, as well as diplomatic vehicles and vehicles belonging to international organizations or a state's courier services.