How to Export to Netherlands

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Customs: Export (to Netherlands) Documentation Requirements

Export Documentation Requirements for Netherlands

International Commercial Invoice
- Two copies are required - one for Customs and one for importer.
- No special format but must include standard information provided on international commercial invoices, for example, but not all inclusive: port of entry in the buyerÌs country; name of the shipping company; port of exit; buyerÌs name and address; exporterÌs/sellerÌs name and address; description of the goods using the usual commercial description according to kind, quality, grade, and the weight (gross and net, in metric units), as well as, the HS number.

Certificates of Origin (COO)
- Required for textiles and certain other products. It is important to be in communication with your importer (or Dutch Customs) to determine if a COO is needed. COOs are not required for IT products.
- Note, if selling under a Letter of Credit, a COO may be required
- If COO required, complete in duplicate
- If required, it may be in your interest to have the COO notarized by a local chamber of commerce

The Dutch authority's rationale for requiring a COO is to maintain an overview of the textiles and apparel entering the Netherlands from what they call 'low salary' countries. There are currently no quotas for exports from any countries but should the number of textiles entering the Netherlands from these countries (or any countries) increase and cause any threat to the Dutch textile industry, the Dutch Government may establish and enforce a quota. The U.S. does not fall under the 'low salary' country category and is not being specifically targeted. The COO may be scrutinized to determine that the export did not originate in one of these countries before coming through the U.S.

U.S. (and all other countries) exporters of textile and apparel products are routinely asked to produce COOs as part of the standard procedure of the Dutch customs officials.


Bill of Lading
- Should have the name and contact information of the person to be notified.
- One copy is required for Customs and one for importer to take possession of goods.
- The air waybill replaces the bill of lading on air cargo shipments.

Transit
Goods may clear customs with an EU transit procedure that provides for the issuance of a single transit document under which the goods may be easily shipped across frontiers of the EU member states. The importer completes these transit documents for a freight forwarder engaged for the purpose. The transit document provides the basis for a single, comprehensive procedure covering the goods within the Union. Since this is an EU Procedure, the European importer, customs house broker, freight forwarder, or shipper must prepare these documents at point of entry.