The year 2026 will bring important changes to transport and customs rules across Europe, including Norway. These changes will affect companies operating in Norway or trading with the EU. They are part of wider trends such as climate policy, digital customs procedures, stricter market controls and closer alignment between EU and EEA regulations.

We will try to give a short, chronological overview of the key legal changes expected in 2026, but each topic will be explained in more detail as the implementation dates get closer.

January 2026

HMS Card requirement for van transport in Norway

From 1 January 2026, Norway introduces a mandatory HMS card requirement for drivers involved in commercial goods transport using vans.

The obligation applies to:

• drivers and assistants,
  
• vehicles up to 3.5 t (4.25 t for electric vehicles),
  
• employees and self-employed operators.

The HMS card must be visible during work and will be subject to roadside inspections. This measure is part of Norway’s broader effort to regulate the van transport market, combat social dumping, and improve traceability of employment relationships.

Read more here:

https://viabaltic.no/hms_cards_become_mandatory_in_the_van_transport_sector_from_1_january_2026.html

February 2026

Higher maximum weights for heavy goods vehicle combinations in Norway

From 1 February 2026, selected heavy goods vehicle combinations will be allowed to operate at higher maximum gross weights, depending on drivetrain type.

New limits include:

• diesel and other fossil-fuel vehicles: up to 54–55 tonnes,
  
• biogas-powered vehicles: up to 55–56 tonnes,
  
• zero-emission vehicles (including battery-electric): up to 56 tonnes.

The changes mainly apply to 6- and 7-axle combinations (3+3 and 4+3 configurations) and only on roads approved to handle higher loads. The reform is explicitly linked to supporting the rollout of zero- and low-emission trucks, whose payload capacity is reduced by heavier powertrains.

Read more here:

https://www.vegvesen.no/om-oss/presse/aktuelt/2025/12/tyngre-vogntog-gir-farre-turer-og-lavere-utslipp/

July 2026

Tachographs and drivers’ hours rules for vans >2.5 t

From 1 July 2026, Norway will apply EU Mobility Package rules to light commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes when used for:

• international transport, or
  
• cabotage operations.

Affected vehicles must be equipped with smart tachographs (generation 2), and drivers will be subject to EU rules on driving and rest times. This marks a major shift for van operators, many of whom have so far operated under significantly lighter regulatory regimes.

Read more:

https://www.vegvesen.no/kjoretoy/yrkestransport/fartsskriver-og-sjaforkort/fartsskriver/

2026 (ongoing impact)

EU Mobility Package – cabotage and market access (>2.5 t)

Norway continues to implement the EU Mobility Package, including:

• stricter cabotage limitations and cooling-off periods,
  
• expanded documentation and enforcement requirements,
  
• closer scrutiny of genuine establishment and operational presence.

While some rules already apply from 2025, their full operational impact will be felt in 2026, especially for cross-border and light vehicle operators.

July 2026

EU: E-commerce: 150 EUR customs duty exemption threshold will be removed. 

From 1 July 2026, the European Union plans to introduce new measures targeting low-value e-commerce consignments, driven by the rapid growth of platforms such as Temu and Shein.

Political decisions at EU level indicate:

• the removal of the current duty-free treatment for low-value goods,
  
• a proposed handling or customs-related fee of approximately EUR 3 per parcel.

Read more:

https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/news/e-commerce-150-eur-customs-duty-exemption-threshold-be-removed-2026-2025-11-13_en

September 2026

Digitoll – mandatory digital customs reporting in Norway

Norway’s Digitoll system becomes mandatory on 15 September 2026, with the final phase (end of “direct transport” procedures) scheduled for 1 March 2027.

Digitoll introduces fully digital pre-arrival reporting of goods and places increased responsibility on importers for:

• accurate and complete commercial invoices,
  
• correct data submitted prior to border crossing.

Read more here:
https://viabaltic.no/digitoll_update_new_implementation_deadlinesset_for__2026.html

Looking ahead: CBAM in EU and Norway 2026/2027

While the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) enters its full financial phase on 1 January 2026, Norway is expected to implement CBAM from 1 January 2027.

Nevertheless, CBAM already matters in 2026 for:

• companies trading CBAM-covered goods with the EU,
  
• supply chains involving non-preferential origin goods,
  
• businesses relying on Norway as a logistics or processing hub.

Preferential origin rules remain decisive in determining whether CBAM applies.

Read more:

https://viabaltic.no/cbam_in_2026_in_the_eu_vs_2027_in_norway.html

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This overview serves as a starting point. Each of these topics will be analysed in greater depth as implementation dates approach and detailed guidance becomes available.

For now, we wish you a smooth start to the New Year and lots of success in 2026