I ordered ordinary "tick cure" for my cat online from an EU based site, which is an off the shelf product in any other country, and never imagined that could be considered illegal import of medical substances – but we're in Norway, so I guess I should have known better!
Now the package is sitting with Toll/ Customs and I got a message to send documentation allowing me to import this or else they'll send it back.
I don't have any documentation and don't want the package, but then I will surely be stuck with the cost of return postage?
However, the toll website says they destroy illegal imports.
Should I respond to the message from toll or will that be like admitting to a crime? I would rather they just destroy the thing and not waste anymore time or money on these excessive restrictions!

by Pallas67

11 comments

  1. > It is not ordinarily permissible to bring medicines for animals with you when entering Norway. Other countries may have corresponding rules. Exceptions apply to pets that are on long-term/continuous treatment. In such cases, the animal’s owner must carry a declaration verifying that it is necessary to bring medicines on the journey. The quantity of medicines must be reasonable in relation to the duration of the trip. Without a declaration, you may experience problems both when entering other countries and when returning to Norway. The declaration does not permit you to bring the medicines into a country if the animal is not travelling with you.

    > If possible, the declaration must be written by the veterinarian who placed the animal on the treatment or another veterinarian with access to the animal’s medical records.

    https://www.dmp.no/en/veterinary-medicine/import-and-sale-of-medicines-for-animals/travelling-abroad-with-pets-and-medicines

    Looks like you need a vet to certify that your pet need this medicine.

  3. Yeah you’re supposed to buy your tick cure off the vet. Which is obviously super cheap because they know you can’t import it yourself. But you know supporting the vet and the local pharmacy is how social democracy works.

  5. Edit: I know I can’t import it now, and got it from my vet. But I guess the main question is, if they will destroy it or send it back?

  7. You have to pay your vet a few thousand in order to be allowed to buy medicine for your cat that every outdoor cat needs

  8. I don’t think it’s a crime in that sense, you wont be punished if you call the toll like. If they were gonna punish you they will send you a fine anyway in the post.

    If you call and say that you didn’t know and that you just want them to destroy it then I’m sure they would appreciate it. Then you can ask about return-costs/fees etc.

    Or you can just leave it and it will sort itself out.

    Curious though, what is a tick- cure?
    If its to scare away tick I get it, otherwise theres nothing to cure, you just have to pick the ticks of the animal.
    If you live north of Oslo the chance of boreliosis is next to 0, North of Hamar absolute 0.

  9. They destroy it. I order medications 1-2 times a year, and just take the loss if it is stopped.

  10. Noe you are wasting everyones time.
    Just let them have it and Get over it.

  11. You’re not allowed to import any medicine because if you were, the amount of fentanyl, heroin, meth, coke and opium that would be imported maskerading as OTC drugs would be to damn high. Thus the onus is on the importer to document that what you are importing is indeed what you say it is – and that is a few documents, a secure supply line and the correct permits.

    If you cannot document what you’re trying to import, the assumption is that whatever is coming your way is indeed recreational in nature and illegal. It is not proven illegal, so will not be used to prosecute you. But it is assumed to be illegal and destroyed.

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