Customs regulations and required documents

Personal effects import regulations

Netherlands

Netherlands
Customs regulations Dutiable items Prohibited items Miscellaneous Traveller information

Customs regulations

Import regulations:

Free import to passengers arriving with goods purchased within the EU which are for personal use only:

  • tobacco products: 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each); 200 cigars; 1 kilogram of smoking tobacco;
  • alcoholic beverages: 10 liters of spirits over 22%; 20 liters of alcoholic beverages less than 22%; 90 liters of wine (though no more than 60 liters of sparkling wine); 110 liters of beer.

Free import to passengers arriving from non-EU Member States (incl. Canary Islands, Channel Islands and other similar territories):

  • tobacco products, for passengers aged 17 and older: 200 cigarettes; 100 cigarillos (max. 3 grams each); 50 cigars; 250 grams of smoking tobacco; or  a proportional mix of these products;
  • alcoholic beverages, for passengers aged 17 and older: 1 liter of spirits over 22% volume, or non-denatured ethyl alcohol with more than 80% volume; 2 liters of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22% volume, or sparkling wines or liquor wines; a proportional mix of these products; and in addition 4 liters still wine; and 16 liters of beer;
  • medications for personal use;
  • other goods (for air travelers) up to a total value of EUR 430.-.

Products of animal origin, not originating from an EU Member State, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino or Switzerland, are not permitted to be imported into an EU Member State, with the exception of limited amounts from Andorra, Faroe Isl., Greenland, Iceland and small amounts of specific products from other countries.

For full details, please see or refer to the website of the European Union, http://europa.eu/.

For full details please see Terms & Definitions, section 5. Customs, or refer to the website of the European Union, http://europa.eu/.

Certain plants and plant products entering the EU must have an original phytosanitary certificate (see here). These items must be declared on arrival and are subject to phytosanitary checks.

Arms and Ammunition regulations:

Import and export of firearms and/or ammunition requires prior permission from Dutch Customs, Tel: 31 88 151 21 22.

Exempt are:

  • Passengers carrying firearms or ammunition for shooting sports. They need to hold a written invitation or statement from the Dutch shooting club that they are going to practice or have practiced the shooting sport in the Netherlands during a stated period and that they are authorized to have the firearms or ammunition brought with them in their country of origin. The exemption applies from the second day before, up to and including the second day after the period referred to in the invitation or statement.
  • Residents of EU Member States holding a European Firearms Pass issued by the authorities in country of residence.

Prohibited: It is not allowed to import arms and ammunition from Russian Fed. and Syria. For more information see here

Wild Fauna and Flora:

Small quantities of cut flowers without soil are generally allowed.

Export regulations:

Passengers with destinations within the EU are allowed to spend up to EUR 90.76 on tax-free articles.

Pets

Cats and dogs are subject to Regulation (EC) No. 998/2003 and Regulation (EU) 576/2013 . For more information contact the nearest Dutch embassy. Pets may enter as passenger’s checked baggage, in the cabin (consult transporting carrier) or as cargo.

Birds are subject to Decision (EC) No. 25/2007. Always consult the local Ministry of Agriculture or Veterinary Service or nearest Dutch Consulate prior to travel, because “endangered species”, whether alive or stuffed or parts thereof may not be imported and will be returned, even if the health documents are in order. Dispensation to be obtained prior to arrival from the Department for Nature Conservation, Environmental Protection and Wild Life Management, Bezuidenhoutseweg 73 (P.O. Box 20401), 2500 EK The Hague. Tel: 31 70 3793390. Fax: 31 70 3792922.

The import of psittacine birds if coming from Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Honduras, Indonesia, Nicaragua or Paraguay is prohibited.

Baggage Clearance regulations:

Baggage is cleared at airport of final destination in the Netherlands. However, if ticketed transfer is operated by train, baggage must be cleared at first airport of entry.

Currency

Currency Import regulations:

Same regulations as for Export apply.

Currency Export regulations:

Local currency (Euro – EUR) and foreign currencies: no restrictions if arriving from or traveling to another EU Member State .
If arriving directly from or traveling to a country outside the EU: amounts exceeding EUR 10,000.- or more or the equivalent in another currency (incl. banker’s draft and
cheques of any kind) must be declared.

Airport Tax

No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.

Learn all about regulations for your destination country. From airport tax to be paid on departure, to importing pets, as well as rules on how much currency you may bring into and out of a country.

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  • Traveller information

Corona (Covid-19): Information for visitors to The Netherlands

Due to the rising number of COVID-19 infections, the Netherlands has been in lockdown since 15 December 2020. This measure will be in force until at least 20 April; during this period traveling to and from the Netherlands is strongly discouraged. A temporary ban on passenger flights has even been imposed for some countries.

  • Tip: do you want to travel to the Netherlands and check in advance what exactly is and is not allowed? Then contact the embassy (more info via this link). Please note that when you call, the person will probably speak Dutch or English!

Update for visitors from the UK and high risk countries:

As of Saturday the 15th of August, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all but essential travel to the Netherlands. This is based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. If you do travel to the Netherlands, then a home quarantine of 14 days afterwards will be mandatory. Hopefully we can soon welcome you again as warmly as you are used to from us!

Read more

All dates mentioned below and associated measures are subject to and dependent on the development of the coronavirus.

Overview most important measures (updated daily)

  • Festivals and other events are no longer allowed from October 14, 2020.
  • As per 1 December 2020, everyone from the age of 13 is obliged to wear a (non-medical) mouth mask in public indoor spaces such as shops, car parks, and railway stations
  • Restaurants and cafés are closed as of October 14, 2020.
  • Essential retail stores, such as supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations and pharmacies are opened. They must comply with the measures, however, and wearing a face mask is mandatory to be allowed into the store.
  • Nonessential stores are closed, although you are allowed to pick up goods ordered by telephone or online. From 3 March onwards, you will also be able to shop on appointment.
  • Theaters, concert halls, museums, zoos, monuments, swimming pools, saunas and cinemas are closed to the public as of 15 December 2020.
  • Campsites and holiday parks are fully open, including shared shower and toilet facilities.
  • From 20 January 2021 onwards, you are not allowed to receive more than one person aged 13 or over in your home.
  • Furthermore, a night-time curfew has been imposed throughout the Netherlands as per 23 January. As a result, no one is allowed in the street without a valid reason between 9:00 pm and 4:30 am. From 31 March onwards, the curfew will start at 22:00.

Travelling in and to The Netherlands

  • Anyone flying to the Netherlands is required to produce a recent negative PCR test certificate on arrival. In addition, a rapid COVID-19 test must be done immediately before departure of your flight.
  • From 23 January 2021 onwards, there is a ban on passenger flights into the Netherlands from the UK, South Africa and all South American countries. The ban will remain in place until the Dutch authorities are able to pass a law requiring all incoming travelers to self-isolate for ten days following arrival.
  • We recommend to consult the travel advice of your local authorities and of the Dutch government to see if the Netherlands is one of the countries you can travel to.
  • Tourists must also reserve their holiday accommodation before travelling to the Netherlands. Without a valid reservation you can be refused entry at the border.
  • Individual decisions have also been taken by security regions at local level to discourage tourist visits. Keep a close eye on the website of the local security regions and/or contact the municipality.

Transportation to and within The Netherlands

Touring cars

If you are travelling to The Netherlands, please do so by car or own transportation to minimalize the spread of the virus. Are you travelling to the Netherlands as part of an organized group or you travel to The Netherlands in a touring car? Please consult the instructions of the local tour operator but also keep these general measures into account. These measures have been drafted by the Royal Dutch Organisation for Transportation, together with other institutions.

  1. Wear a face mask during the entire trip
  2. Make sure you fill in and submit a signed declaration to your local touroperator. These forms will be handed over to you, prior to entering to the bus
  3. Don’t enter the bus when you have a cold, fever or any other symptoms
  4. Take the measures into account and respect them. The driver is in charge of what is acceptable and what isn’t. He/she is also allowed to deny access to the vehicle
  5. Don’t walk in the vehicle to ensure you keep a distance of 1.5 metres
  6. Pay contactless when you are required to pay within the vehicle

Public transport

Public transport will once again operate according to the normal timetable. (International) Travellers will be required to wear a ‘non-medical’ mouth shield. In case you would like to use public transport, please check out the latest information about departure times and potentially adjusted timetables prior to travel.

Opening times restaurants, cafes and hotels

Restaurants and cafés are closed as of October 14, 2020. Hotels are allowed to receive guests although their restaurants and bars as well as room service must be closed to guests.

Number of Covid-19 cases in The Netherlands

The current number of Covid-19 infections can be found on this page of the RIVM.

General hygiene protocol

It is advised to adhere to the following basic measures to prevent further spread of the Corona virus:

  1. Wash your hands frequently with soap
  2. Cough or sneeze in the inside of your elbow
  3. Use disposable paper napkins
  4. Do not shake hands
  5. Stay at home in case you have symptoms of a cold or flu
  6. Limit social contact
  7. Always keep at least 1,5 metres distance from other people

Health complaints: what to do

Are you in The Netherlands and do you have symptoms that may indicate a possible infection with the coronavirus? Stay at home and get yourself tested. You can make an appointment to test yourself by calling 0800-1202 (daily available 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m). In case you’re infected, you and your fellow travelers must remain in quarantine for two weeks.

Hospitalization & travel documents: get in touch with your embassy 

The Embassy or Consulate of your country can assist you in case of calamities when you are in The Netherlands, such as disasters, issues with travel documents or hospitalization.

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