Restricted or prohibited to import / export
€10,000 or more in cash, a restricted number of goods and animals cannot be imported or exported, brought in to the Netherlands and / or taken with you from the Netherlands. Customs and other government bodies will monitor that you are complying with the rules.
€10,000 or more worth in cash or securities
Are you bringing in €10,000 in cash and securities? And you are travelling from a non-EU country to the Netherlands or another EU member state? If so, you must file a Customs declaration.
Pets
Bringing in pets across the border, to import and to export? This is governed by a different set of rules.
Counterfeit articles
You may bring counterfeit goods to the Netherlands and the EU in your luggage, just as they are intended for personal use. You receive counterfeit goods, for example after an order on the Internet? Customs will seize such items upon importation.
Protected animal and plant species
Carrying across the border, importing and exporting protected animals and plants, or parts of it, is prohibited. However, there are exceptions.
Animal products and foodstuffs
Importing food? Health certificate required! For example: cheese, milk, eggs, meat (meat products) Non-recognisable meat product = no certificate required.
Plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables (phytosanitary products)
You need a phytosanitary certificate to bring in, import and export plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables, unless these are only small quantities.
Weapons, ammunition and dummy weapons and explosives
It is not permitted to carry across the border, to import and to export firearms or other weapons and ammunition. This also applies to authentic-looking dummy weapons.
Medicines
You may not bring in medicines / medication to the Netherlands and import these, unless this type is permitted and limited for own use.
Drugs (Opium Act)
You are not permitted to carry across the border, to import and to export narcotics (drugs) such as hashish, cocaine and heroin.
Culture goods (such as art and antiques)
You cannot always simply carry across the border, to import and to export art and antiques. Special rules apply (State Inspectorate for Cultural Heritage).
Pleasure crafts (boats)
Crossing the border, importing and exporting by means of a yacht (pleasure boat)? Demonstrate that custom duties and VAT are paid for the yacht in a EU country.
Cars and motorcycles
Are you bringing in a car or motorcycle with a foreign vehicle registration number from a non-EU country to the Netherlands? Please read the conditions for this.