On  21 October 2016, the Ministry of Finance published Regulations amending the Regulations to the law on customs and movement of goods (Customs Regulations) [FOR-2016-10-20-1219] which, effective 1 November 2016, will replace the 2008 rules governing tariff classification opinions (rulings) with detailed rules authorizing the issuance of advance binding tariff classification opinions (rulings) and add origin opinions (rulings) and opinions (rulings) for the duties and fees due.

Under the revised rules, applications on form RD0009 for classification opinions (for a single product at a time) may be made to the regional Customs offices (or the Oslo or Akershus offices for foreign applicants) by an importer, exporter to or from Norway or a domestic producer if classification is needed for other national requirements. The advance opinion will be valid for six years. The opinion is not retroactive and is only valid for the requestor and the identical product.  It will cease to be valid if the tariff nomenclature changes. It may be withdrawn by the Customs region if the Harmonised System or Explanatory Notes significantly change, the WCO HS Committee issues an opinion contrary to the ruling or if there are multiple classification opinions on similar goods (presumably conflicting). It may be withdrawn by the Customs Administration if it is contrary to law.  The withdrawal takes effect immediately, although if there is evidence that goods were bought or sold before it was recalled, it will be valid for an additional six months.

Advance origin opinions (rulings) are to be issued in a similar manner but are valid for only three years and may be issued to domestic or foreign producers, importers or exporters to or from Norway.  The applications for, and issuance of, advance opinions (rulings) on customs duties or fees are similar to the origin rulings. They are valid for three years unless the rate of duty or fee changes.  The grounds for withdrawing an origin or duty/fee due opinion are similar to those relating to the withdrawal of classification opinions. The withdrawal takes effect immediately, although if there is evidence that goods were bought or sold before it was recalled, it will be valid for an additional six months.