Do I need to register with Mattilsynet to sell spice blends?

Yes. Blending and packing spices is a food business, even when you buy all the ingredients ready-made.

Can I say my tea is healthy?

Only with health claims authorised for that exact ingredient. Describe the taste, the origin and how to brew it instead.

What VAT rate applies to spices and tea in Norway?

15%, like other food. Equipment such as teapots carries 25%.

Guide for spices and tea

Sell spices and tea online

Even if you only blend and pack spices or tea, you run a food business and must register with Mattilsynet. If you import from outside the EEA yourself, separate import rules apply. Spices and tea are easy to ship and work well for subscriptions and gift boxes.

Register with Mattilsynet, blending and packing included
Celery, mustard and sesame are allergens you must declare
No health claims unless they're authorised
15% VAT

Try it free for 30 days Book a demo

Then from €25/mo excl. VAT. No lock-in, and we'll be in touch before your trial ends.

Last checked 16 October 2026

What you need in place

1RegistrationBlending, packing and selling spices and tea is a food business. Register with Mattilsynet before you start.
2ImportsIf you buy from a Norwegian wholesaler, the normal registration is enough. If you import from outside the EEA yourself, you register as an importer with Mattilsynet, and some spices from some countries get extra checks at the border. Mattilsynet on food imports (in Norwegian).
3AllergensSpice blends often contain celery, mustard or sesame. They're among the 14 allergens that must always be highlighted in the ingredients list and shown on the product page.
4Claims and new plantsTea and spices can't be marketed with health claims that aren't authorised, such as a tea that «boosts your immune system». Plants that haven't been eaten before may need approval as a novel food.
5VATSpices and tea carry 15% VAT. Teapots, cups and grinders carry 25%.

Shipping, subscriptions and gifts

Spices and tea are light and travel well, so you can sell across the whole country. Zip-lock pouches or tins keep the aroma in.

People buy tea and spices again. With a subscription, the customer gets a new pouch every month and pauses or changes it themselves. Subscriptions are paid by card. Gift boxes with several flavours sell well before Christmas.

Restaurants and delis

Restaurants and delis buy larger packs. In the B2B portal they see their prices excluding VAT and order on their own, monthly if they like.

Setting up your shop

1Tell us about your blendsClick «Try it free for 30 days», add your business name and what you make, for example «our own spice blends and loose-leaf tea», or paste your website.
2Watch the shop being builtIt usually takes 2–10 minutes. Nothing goes live until you say so.
3Add your blendsIngredients and allergens go in as properties, and pouches in several sizes as variants.
4Turn on payments and share the linkCustomers pay by card or Vipps, through Stripe. You try Humryk free for 30 days, with no card, and we take 0% of your sales. Stripe charges a fee per payment.

Common questions

Do I need to register with Mattilsynet to sell spice blends?: Yes. Blending and packing spices is a food business, even when you buy all the ingredients ready-made.
Can I say my tea is healthy?: Only with health claims authorised for that exact ingredient. Describe the taste, the origin and how to brew it instead.
What VAT rate applies to spices and tea in Norway?: 15%, like other food. Equipment such as teapots carries 25%.

Try it on your own business

Try it free for 30 days, with no card. We help you move products and customers, and you can keep your old shop running until you're ready.