Norway inks interim trade agreement with UK, Iceland; deal means no new tariffs on seafood products
IntraFish | 9 December 2020
Norway inks interim trade agreement with UK, Iceland; deal means no new tariffs on seafood products
By Torhild M. Martinussen and Demi Korban
Norway’s Ministry of Trade and Industry inked an interim trade continuity agreement with the United Kingdom and Iceland on Tuesday, effective Jan. 1, until a comprehensive free trade agreement is in place.
The agreement means no new tariffs will be imposed on industrial goods after Brexit. The temporary agreement was signed by Norway’s Vibeke Rysst-Jensen and UK Chief Negotiator Charlotte Heyes in London.
The parties are also negotiating a free trade agreement, to be completed as soon as possible.
The business community will witness new trade barriers once the United Kingdom leaves the European Union and internal market on everything from public procurement to personal movement.
Norway’s ministry pointed out companies have a responsibility for investigating the consequences of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.
The changes as of Jan. 1 include:
- Personal movements: British citizens who move to Norway after Jan. 1 must apply for a residence permit as third-country nationals.
- Roam like at home: The prices for mobile use abroad are set by the mobile operators. There are no indications prices will rise after Brexit.
- Veterinary border control for seafood, among other products, will be introduced gradually during the first half of the year. Norway will, however, introduce veterinary border control on goods from the United Kingdom from the start of the year.
- Border crossing: British authorities have stated there may be delays in the flow of goods at British borders.
- Public procurement: companies will not have an automatic right to participate in tenders not covered by the World Trade Organization Public Procurement Agreement
