Importing a Kei Truck to Norway
Europe (EEA)
Is it allowed?
Yes Kei trucks have no EU type-approval, so each vehicle requires individual first-time approval (enkeltgodkjenning) at a Statens vegvesen Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office before it can be registered for road use. Off-road and private-land use does not require road registration — a route some buyers choose deliberately to avoid the approval and the one-off registration tax.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-08
Right-hand drive (RHD) acceptance
Allowed Right-hand-drive vehicles are permitted but uncommon in Norway, which does register RHD vehicles. No steering conversion is required.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-08
Age / eligibility rule
No hard age cutoff for eligibility. Older kei trucks can qualify as preservation-worthy (bevaringsverdig), which reduces how often periodic inspection is required.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-08
Taxes summary
25% VAT on the vehicle's value plus freight and insurance to the Norwegian border, plus a greenhouse-gas (CO₂) tax. Separately, a one-off registration tax (engangsavgift) is paid to the Norwegian Tax Administration. VAT is declared and paid to Norwegian Customs (Tolletaten).
Last reviewed: 2026-06-08
Registration authority
Statens vegvesen (technical first-time approval and registration); Tolletaten / Norwegian Customs (VAT and customs); Norwegian Tax Administration (one-off registration tax).
Common entry ports
- Oslo
- Drammen
Buyer notes
Process: (1) declare the vehicle and pay VAT to Norwegian Customs; (2) pay the one-off registration tax to the Tax Administration; (3) obtain technical first-time approval and registration from Statens vegvesen. Foreign plates may be used up to 30 days after customs clearance or until individual approval, and valid insurance is mandatory at all times. Many buyers import kei trucks for farm, estate, or off-road use specifically to skip road registration and its taxes. Real-world example: a 1991 Mitsubishi Minicab was imported from Japan and road-approved in Norway in late 2025. Source: vegvesen.no (Import of vehicles); toll.no (Importing cars and other vehicles).
Step overview
- 1. Source and purchase your kei truck from Japan (auction, dealer, or exporter).
- 2. Arrange export paperwork and shipping (RoRo or container) to Norway — common ports: Oslo, Drammen.
- 3. Clear customs and pay applicable duties/taxes (see Taxes summary above).
- 4. Obtain technical first-time approval (enkeltgodkjenning) and registration from Statens vegvesen, or confirm off-road/private-land use that needs no road registration.
- 5. Register and insure the vehicle for road use.
This is a general outline. Confirm the exact sequence and requirements with Statens vegvesen (technical first-time approval and registration); Tolletaten / Norwegian Customs (VAT and customs); Norwegian Tax Administration (one-off registration tax). or a licensed import agent before committing to a purchase.
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