Norway – a challenging but potentially rewarding e-commerce market

By Direct Link - Norway is a highly digitalized country with a well-established e-commerce market. Having a population of 5,3 million, Norway is the smallest country in the Nordics in terms of number of inhabitants. It is also the only country in the region that is not a member of the European Union. This fact places some special demands on international e-retailers who want to sell to Norwegian online consumers. Norway has its own VAT system called VOEC, VAT On Electronic Commerce (more on VOEC below).

Thanks to large oil deposits, Norway has developed into one of the richest countries in the world. The GDP per capita is USD 88 000, which is by far the highest in the Nordics. The price level is also high, with an OECD price index at 139.

Norwegian consumers have a strong interest in cross-border online shopping. In 2022, 77 percent of Norwegian online consumers had shopped from abroad. During the last few years, the most popular cross-border shopping destinations have been China, the United States and the United Kingdom. However, when it comes to marketplaces, that list is topped by German fashion giant Zalando.

Norwegian e-commerce consumer preferences

The Norwegian online consumers favors more or less the same product categories as consumers in their neighboring countries. In 2022, the top three categories were clothing and footwear, cosmetics and skin care, and consumer electronics.

When it comes to delivery options, the Norwegians hold delivery to mailbox as their number one alternative, followed by delivery to postal service point, and at home at the doorstep.

For a long time, invoice was the most popular payment method in Norway. That is not the case anymore. In 2022, the most popular options was Klarna or equivalent, credit card, PayPal or equivalent, and debit card.

To find out more about VOEC follow the link below:

Https://www.skatteetaten.no/en/business-and-organisation/vat-and-duties/vat/foreign/e-commerce-voec/