Norwegian customs changes impact Swedish musicians

The Norwegian Customs Authority has scrapped a nearly 40-year-old agreement that allowed Swedish musicians to easily transport instruments into Norway for short periods. The decision, made in February, affects the Swedish dance band community most significantly.

Swedish artists fear that new customs paperwork requirements could cost as much as 25,000 NOK for a single performance in Norway, an amount that may exceed the earnings of many small bands. Lasse Lundberg, a vocalist and drummer for the band Blender, described the situation as ‘absurd’ and ‘tragic,’ noting that the costs will primarily impact Norwegian organizers.

The Norwegian Customs Authority stated that the previous exception, established in 1988, ‘does not comply with current regulations.’ In response, the Swedish Musicians' Union has filed a complaint and is seeking assistance to preserve the Norwegian-Swedish cultural cooperation.