– It is of course very tempting to buy a little extra once you are on the trip over and have room in the boat, says 1st customs inspector Per Magne Solberg. The meteorologists have all confirmed that Austlandet gets the finest Pentecost weather, and this may indicate high boat traffic at sea. Therefore, the Customs and Coast Guard will be on extra duty this weekend. It is no coincidence that it is right now that there is a major action. – I see that it is during the Whitsun weekend that many people start the boating season. Now the weather is reported to be good, so I expect a lot of traffic. Then we want to be present and have control, show presence and, not least, inform about the regulations that apply, says Tim Gurrik, area manager for the Oslofjord in the Customs Agency. There will be a control operation from Halden to Langesund, with a focus on traffic among leisure travelers. The customs agency believes that the fine weather can increase boat traffic during the Whitsun weekend. Here from the Whitsunday campaign in 2022. Photo: Tolletaten A new “weapon” The Tolletaten often experiences that people think there is less chance of being caught by customs at sea. Solberg says they clearly see which boats they want to control. Among other things, the publicans look at the behavior of people. Solberg believes that boaters are generally very pleasant and honest, but that some try their best. 1st customs inspector Per Magne Solberg says you should answer correctly when he asks how much you have with you on the boat. Photo: Lars Håkon Pedersen / news – If I ask you how much you have, you should answer correctly. By the time I board your boat, it’s far too late. Now the customs officers also have a new “weapon” in stock. For now, the customs service can follow you into Sweden. – The time when you could anchor on the Swedish side and wave to the customs officer, and wait for him to go home, is over. Now I can actually contact you in Sweden. Digital solution Vessels from both the Coast Guard and the Customs Service must be out to observe and control those who cross the border at sea. KV Nornen and KV Tor are in place from the Coast Guard’s side. – The Coast Guard also has customs officers on board. We covered a larger area than we usually do, says Solberg. – There is no red or green zone at sea, so you must declare what you have on board the boat. And since the Customs Agency has also entered the digital age, this can be done through an app. – Then you can check whether you are within or outside the quota. The app calculates for you, and shows what is legal and what is not. It also shows how much you may have to pay. Regulations at sea The quota regulations also apply when you cross the border at sea. You can use the Quota app to check that you are within the quota. Goods can also be cleared here. If you have carried out repairs on your boat abroad, and been out of the country for less than 24 hours, you must declare the repair to the Customs if it costs more than NOK 3,000. If you have been out of the country for more than 24 hours, the limit is NOK 6,000. If you have bought a leisure boat abroad, you must pay 25 per cent VAT. of the total value at import. All boats with a hull length of 2.5 to 24 meters and jet skis must be CE-marked. The exception is boats that were in use in an EU/EEA country before 16 June 1998. CE marking is proof that the boat meets certain health, environment and safety requirements in the EEA area. Source: Norwegian Customs
ttn-69
The Customs Agency and the Coastal Administration announce large-scale inspections in Whitsun – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
