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The Customs Administration of The Netherlands inspects goods that enter the country and checks if these goods meet the regulations for safety, health, economy, and our environment.
Learn more about
Inspections for safety, health, economy, and the environment (VGEM)
Dutch Customs inspects goods that enter and leave the Netherlands. We check if these goods to make sure they meet standards for safety, health, our economy, and the environment.
Certain goods are only allowed to enter the country under certain restrictions. Sometimes goods are not allowed to enter at all. Customs performs VGEM checks on behalf of different government departments.
Customs inspections for safety, health, economy, and the environment
Customs carries out several VGEM tasks. For example, we enforce sanctions on the import and export of goods from certain countries. We also check the quality of fruits and vegetables. Find practical information and rules for each VGEM tas below:
Safety
Economy
Central Import and Export Office (CDIU)
The Central Import and Export Office (CDIU) issues licences you may need to import or export certain goods. The CDIU also provides information about these licences.
You need a licence for cultural goods (antiques or art), weapons, or ammunition. Unsure whether your goods need a license?
General Customs Act
The General Customs Act (Algemene douanewet) details which inspections the Customs Administration of The Netherlands is allowed to carry out. The inspections for safety, health, economy and the environment are carried out according to this law.
Customs and the government departments in charge document how these VGEM inspections are carried out. This is defined in a formal agreement between Customs and the relevant government departments.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always need an import or export license?
In most cases you do not need an import or export licence. For some goods you do need one, for example cultural goods (art, antiques), weapons, or ammunition.
You can apply for a licence at the Central Import and Export Office (CDIU)
Do I need a license to import medication?
Yes. You need a licence to import medication. The Dutch government does not automatically allow medication imports because some products can harm people or may not work properly.
Which goods qualify as strategic goods?
The import and export of strategic goods to some countries is restricted. Sometimes it is only allowed under strict conditions. This is because of safety concerns or international agreements.
Examples of strategic goods are military items. These goods have extra import and export rules.