Customs and Cross-Border Delivery: Ordering Bags Into Norway, the UK & Switzerland

Ordering custom printed bags into Norway, the UK, or Switzerland is different from ordering within the EU, because these countries sit outside the EU customs union and VAT area.

That means a customs declaration, and import VAT (and sometimes duty) due on arrival. The single most important decision is the delivery term: on a DDP (delivered duty paid) basis the supplier handles taxes and duties up front, while on a DAP (delivered at place) basis you settle them on import. This guide explains what changes, who pays what, and how to avoid the delays that catch people out.

It is general guidance, not customs or tax advice.

Why these three countries are different

Within the EU, goods move freely and VAT is handled under the rules we cover in our guide to EU VAT and OSS.

Norway, the UK, and Switzerland are outside that system, so a shipment to any of them is an export from the EU and an import into the destination country.

Practically, three things appear that an EU delivery does not have: a customs declaration, potential import duty, and import VAT charged by the destination country.

Who pays import VAT and duty: DDP vs DAP

The delivery term decides who is responsible for the import charges and when:

Term	Who handles taxes/duty	Best when
DDP (delivered duty paid)	Supplier pays up front, price is all-in	You want a single predictable cost and no admin
DAP (delivered at place)	You pay import VAT/duty on arrival	You can reclaim import VAT or prefer to self-clear

For most buyers who just want a clean delivery, DDP is the simpler choice: the quoted price includes the import charges, so nothing extra is demanded at the door.

If you are a business that can reclaim import VAT, DAP can be more efficient.

Agree the term before you order so there are no surprises on delivery.

Country by country

Norway. Norway is outside the EU but part of the EEA.

Imports are subject to Norwegian VAT (MVA) at the standard rate of 25%, collected on import for commercial shipments.

Textiles generally move without punitive duty, but the customs declaration and import VAT still apply, so factor them into the landed cost.

United Kingdom. Since leaving the EU, the UK treats EU shipments as imports.

Import VAT applies at the UK standard rate (20%), and a business importer typically needs an EORI number to clear goods.

Customs declarations are required, and depending on origin and value, duty may apply.

Switzerland. Switzerland is outside both the EU and the EEA.

Imports attract Swiss import VAT at the standard rate (8.1%), plus a customs declaration.

Swiss customs can assess duty by weight on some goods, so the paperwork needs the correct product and weight details.

Rates and rules change, so treat these as a guide and confirm the current figures for your shipment.

The principle holds regardless: budget for import VAT and a customs step on top of the product price.

How customs affects lead time

Customs clearance adds time as well as cost.

A shipment that would arrive next day within the EU can take extra days to clear on a cross-border route, and incomplete paperwork is the most common cause of a hold. If you are working to a hard event date, add a buffer for clearance and get your order in early.

When timing is genuinely tight, read our guide to rush orders, but remember that a rushed production still has to clear customs, so cross-border deadlines need more margin than domestic ones.

Practical tips to avoid delays and surprises

• Agree DDP or DAP up front so you know whether the price is all-in or whether charges follow on arrival.
• Provide the right details: a business EORI or VAT number where needed, and the correct delivery address and contact for the courier.
• Budget the landed cost, not just the product price. Our pricing breakdown helps you build the full figure.
• Add a clearance buffer to any deadline for Norway, the UK, or Switzerland.
• Keep the customs paperwork for your records and any VAT reclaim.

Getting the paperwork and product details right

Most customs delays come down to paperwork, so getting the details right up front is the single best way to avoid a hold.

A cross-border shipment needs an accurate description of the goods, the correct commodity code, the value, the country of origin, and the weight, plus the right importer details such as a VAT or EORI number where required. Incomplete or inconsistent information is what triggers a query, and a query can add days.

A good supplier will prepare the customs documentation, but you can help by confirming the delivery address, the contact for the courier, and any importer numbers before the shipment leaves.

If you order regularly into the same country, keeping a note of the details that worked last time makes each subsequent shipment faster and smoother.

Planning cost and time for a non-EU delivery

Budget the landed cost, not just the product price, for any non-EU delivery.

On top of the bag and print, allow for import VAT at the destination rate, any duty, and a customs handling fee, and decide up front whether these are included (DDP) or payable on arrival (DAP). On timing, add a clear buffer for clearance to any deadline, because a shipment that clears smoothly still takes longer than a domestic one, and an incomplete declaration can add days.

For an event with a fixed date in Norway, the UK, or Switzerland, order earlier than you would for a domestic delivery and confirm the delivery term in writing so there are no surprises at the door.

The rule of thumb for Norway, the UK, and Switzerland is the same: expect a customs step and import VAT, agree the delivery term up front, get the paperwork right, and add a buffer to any deadline.

Do that and a cross-border order is smooth rather than stressful.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay extra to import bags into Norway, the UK, or Switzerland?

Usually yes.

Because these countries are outside the EU VAT area, import VAT applies on arrival, and there may be a customs step and duty.

On a DDP delivery the supplier includes these in the price; on DAP you pay them on import.

What is the difference between DDP and DAP?

On DDP (delivered duty paid) the supplier pays import taxes and duty up front, so the price is all-in.

On DAP (delivered at place) you settle import VAT and duty on arrival.

DDP is simpler; DAP can suit a business that reclaims import VAT.

Do I need an EORI number?

For business imports into the UK you typically need an EORI number to clear goods.

Provide any required VAT or EORI details up front to avoid a hold at customs.

Will customs slow down my delivery?

It can.

Cross-border clearance adds time, and incomplete paperwork is the main cause of delays.

Add a buffer to any event deadline for these destinations.

Is this customs advice?

No, it is general guidance.

Rates and rules change, so confirm current figures with the destination country's customs authority or your freight partner.

What causes most customs delays?

Incomplete or inconsistent paperwork.

An accurate goods description, commodity code, value, origin, weight, and the right importer details (such as VAT or EORI) prevent the queries that cause holds.

What is the landed cost of a non-EU order?

The product and print plus import VAT at the destination rate, any duty, and a customs handling fee.

Decide up front whether these are included (DDP) or paid on arrival (DAP).

How much extra time should I allow for customs?

Add a clear buffer beyond domestic timing.

Even a smooth clearance takes longer, and an incomplete declaration can add days, so order earlier for a fixed event date outside the EU.

Which delivery term is simpler, DDP or DAP?

DDP is simpler for most buyers because the supplier includes import taxes and duty in the price, so nothing extra is demanded on arrival.

DAP can suit a business that reclaims import VAT.