Vessel traffic service fee for incoming vessels

Publication date 02-09-2025 | Last update 19-12-2025 | Information page

The Dutch Customs Administration levies and collects a traffic service fee for seagoing vessels. This fee covers the costs of the traffic service system (shore-based radar).

Shore-based radar helps ships by providing traffic information in crowded waters and when ships carry dangerous cargo.

Dutch Customs charges the traffic guidance fee based on an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

Where is the fee charged?

You must pay Customs the traffic service fee when your ship passes the baseline when coming in from sea. We levy the fee in the following areas:

Customs charges this fee in these areas:

• The Eems
• Den Helder
• the North Sea Canal
• Nieuwe Waterweg
• Westerschelde

You can find the invoices for the vessel traffic service fee in Mijn Douane.

Access to Mijn Douane using eHerkenning

To use Mijn Douane, you need eHerkenning with security level 3. You also need to activate DVS in Mijn Douane. You can apply for eHerkenning through an approved eHerkenning provider.

Register a foreign business for eHerkenning

Do you have a business abroad? Then you must first register your company with Dutch Customs using a form. Through this form, you will receive a tax number. With that tax number, you can apply for eHerkenning.​

Submit an exemption application

Do you think you do not have to pay the traffic service fee because of an exemption? Or because you navigate the inland waters? Then file an exemption request before you enter an area where you must pay a fee. Email your request no later than 14:00 to douane.dbr.dvs@douane.nl.

Include the following information:

• Ship name
• IMO number
• Clearance number or visit number
• Date of passage
• Reason for exemption

More information

You can find more information on the traffic service fee at the National Customs Helpdesk.