Moving to Norway from USA with pets – how to do it right

Every country has its own set of rules when it comes to animal import. If you are moving from USA to Norway and you want to bring your pet with you, hiring the best international moving companies NYC will be just a small part of the process, as you and your pet will need to prepare well in order to comply with many different laws and regulations. Naturally, those rules are mostly aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases or illegal trade, which means that if you follow the guidelines and fulfill all the requirements, moving to Norway from USA with pets is possible. Here are some of the procedures that you and your animal will need to go through in order to enter Norway regularly.

There are more Americans that move with a pet than without one

Americans love pets. Some studies say that nearly 85 million families own some kind of pet. That is around 67% of all American households. This means that there is a bigger possibility that a family who moves, moves with a pet than without one. Naturally, similarly to the rest of the world, dogs and cats are the most popular. However, in American homes, you can also see different types of exotic animals like reptiles, birds, rodents, and other kinds of small mammals. Of course, different animals are treated differently by international lawmakers. So you will see various types of requirements that you will need to comply with. Obviously, depending on the animal you are carrying with you.

Different rules apply to different countries

It is not the same when you are moving from an EU country and when you are moving to Norway from USA, for example. There are numerous regulations that you will need to follow, and it can be very easy to get lost in all this. That is why we have prepared this short guide that should help you to get a glimpse at what to expect and how to prepare.

Moving from USA to Norway with a dog or a cat

We will start with dogs, as they are the most popular types of pets. First of all, it is important to know that there are restrictions when it comes to dog breeds that you can move to Norway. Some breeds are considered too aggressive or even dangerous so you will not be able to carry your dog with you if it’s a:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Fila Brasilerio
• Toso Inu
• Dogo Argentino
• Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

Most dog lovers will not agree with this classification. Unfortunately, you cannot do anything about it. Those are the restrictions set by Norwegian authorities that you and your international moving services will need to follow.

Things that you need to prepare if you are moving to Norway with a dog or a cat

If you are moving with different kinds of dog, cat, or a ferret you will need to do a lot of work before you set off to Norway. Here are the things that you will need to prepare and do:

• Your pet will need to have a valid identification document in a form of an animal health certificate or pet passport.
• Your animal must be marked either with a microchip or with a clearly readable tattoo.
• 21 days before entering the country your animal must receive an anti-rabies vaccine and that needs to be recorded in your pet’s travel document.
• You need to test your animal with a rabies antibody titration test at least 3 months before you enter Norway.
• To prevent a form of intestinal parasite, dogs must receive an anti-echinococcus treatment 24-120 hours before arriving in the country
• When moving to Norway from USA with pets, you can enter the country only through Oslo Airport or Storskog.
• You should notify the Norwegian border authorities 48 hours prior to your arrival.
• Your pet must be accompanied by the owner or by a person authorized by the owner. But bear in mind that the owner must arrive in the country within 5 days before or after the animal’s arrival.
• Before you depart, contact the Norwegian authorities and check whether some safeguard measures need to be applied while you are still on US soil.

Relocating from Norway to USA with an exotic animal

When it comes to exotic animals, you will have to deal with other regulations than dog or cat owners. Of course, whenever you are handling a complicated international move we suggest that you thoroughly check different import/export solutions that may be available to you. Nonetheless, when you are planning to move to Norway from USA with an exotic pet, the first thing that you will need to check is whether your animal is on the prohibited list. Norway has strict regulations when it comes to reptile import and only a handful of species are allowed into the country. If your animal is not on the list, the appropriate documentation must accompany it.

Documents that you will need to have if you are moving to Norway from USA with a reptile

You need to show documents that prove that your animal and its parents are born in captivity. You will need to show that you bought the pet from a certified pet shop or a breeder. And, of course, you will need to prepare a document that shows the animal’s species. When you arrive, contact the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and present them with your animal and appropriate documentation.

Moving to Norway from USA with pets is complicated but not impossible

These are the things that you will need to prepare when you are Moving to Norway from USA with pets. One of the important things to bear in mind is that the number of animals that you can move with you to Norway is restricted to 5. Otherwise, you will be considered a commercial importer. And that is a completely different matter.