Kjøpekjøpe

Kjøpekjøpe is a Norwegian term for a contract of sale of goods, whereby a seller agrees to transfer ownership of movable property to a buyer in exchange for a price. The concept is a core part of civil and commercial law in Norway and is used for both business-to-business and, in many cases, consumer transactions.

Formation and scope

A kjøpekjøpe can be formed orally or in writing, though many transactions are documented in a written contract or standard terms. Essential elements include the goods, quantity, price, and delivery arrangements. The contract may also include terms on payment, quality, delivery deadlines, and risk allocation.

Delivery, risk and title

In most cases, the risk of loss or damage passes to the buyer on delivery or as otherwise agreed in the contract. Transfer of ownership (title) is typically governed by the contract, but can also be influenced by statutory rules or consumer protections. Incoterms or other delivery terms may be used for cross-border sales to allocate costs and responsibilities.

Quality, conformity and warranties

The seller is generally obliged to provide goods that conform to the contract in terms of quantity, quality and description. If goods are non-conforming, the buyer may be entitled to remedies such as repair, replacement, price reduction or cancellation, depending on the nature of the defect and applicable law.

Breach, remedies and legal framework

Breaches may give rise to damages, specific performance, or contract termination. Forbrukerkjøpsloven (consumer purchases) provides additional protections for consumers in Norway, while Kjøpsloven and Avtaleloven govern commercial transactions. In cross-border sales, international terms (eg, Incoterms) may influence risk and cost allocation.

Documentation and practice

Typical documentation includes the sales contract, invoices, delivery notes and any warranty or conformity certificates. The specific terms can significantly affect risk, liability and remedies in a kjøpekjøpe.