Import documents

Customs documents

When you import products from outside the EU, you need to declare them to the Customs Administration of the Netherlands. You will often have to pay import duties.

Usually, a forwarder or customs representative will do this on your behalf. If you want to file the import declaration yourself, you can call the Dutch Customs National Helpdesk.

Documents of preferential origin

A Statement of Origin (Certificaat van Oorsprong, CVO) serves as proof of a product’s origin. It states that the product comes from the country you are importing from. It contains a description of, and the origin of the product, plus the name and address details of the seller and the buyer.

• Statement of origin: do you import goods from certain developing countries? In some cases, you can get a discount or exemption from import duties with a Statement of Origin.This is a declaration of origin that serves to prove that the goods were manufactured in the selling country.
• EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificate: the European Union has agreements with several countries to lower the import duties. An EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificate can get you a discount or exemption from import duties.
• ATR certificate: you can import most goods from Türkiye free of duty if you have an ATR certificate. Your Turkish supplier must apply for the ATR certificate at the Turkish customs.
• Invoice declaration: if you have an invoice declaration, you as importer pay fewer or no import duties. This declaration is a replacement for the EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificate. You may use this declaration for shipments if the value of the preferential origin goods does not exceed €6,000.

Transport documents

You can transport your product to the Netherlands by road, rail, water, or air. Each transportation method comes with its own transport documents.

Import licences and other documents

Apart from the invoice and packing slip, some types of product also need other documents. Examples are health certificates for certain plants and plant-based products. Or import licences and certificates for certain endangered exotic animals or plants, or for strategic goods. Dutch Customs checks if the import meets the regulations for safety, health, economy, and environment.

Expenses

Be aware that some documents cost money. That means extra expenses.