Customs agreement with Norway

Bern, 18.05.2016 - Today, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the agreement with Norway regarding customs security measures. The agreement should ensure the smooth exchange of goods between Switzerland and Norway. It still has to be approved by Parliament.

In the interest of public security, the EU has applied a prior notification requirement for all imports of goods since 2011 for reasons to do with the traceability of the international supply chain. Switzerland and Norway have concluded an agreement with the EU on the simplification of customs formalities and on customs security measures, which states that the prior notification requirement has been waived in goods traffic with the EU. By contrast, Switzerland and Norway apply the prior notification requirement in relation to third countries.

Due to the fact that Switzerland and Norway had not concluded a comparable agreement up to now amongst themselves, goods should generally be subject to prior notification in bilateral traffic between Switzerland and Norway. This would impede the movement of goods between the two countries. Switzerland and Norway have thus negotiated an agreement whereby the security measures that both states agreed with the EU are also applicable in bilateral relations. The equivalence of the respective security standards and the status of authorised economic operator (AEO) are mutually recognised. Authorised economic operators benefit from facilitations with regard to security-related controls. This will continue to ensure smooth trade flows with Norway.

Parliamentary treatment of this issue will probably take place in the autumn and winter of 2016. The agreement is subject to an optional state treaty referendum for international treaties that contain important legislative provisions. Consequently, it cannot come into force until the referendum deadline has expired or a popular vote has been held.

Address for enquiries

Walter Pavel, Section Head, Communication/Media, Federal Customs Administration FCA
Tel. 058 462 65 13, walter.pavel@ezv.admin.ch