Netherlandish Customs Regulations

Netherlands Customs Information

Overview
The following goods may be imported into The Netherlands without incurring customs duty by travelers from non-EU European countries and countries outside of Europe:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco.
• 1l of liquor or 2l of sparkling wine or liqueur wines and 2l of non-sparkling wine.
• 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
• 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract.
• 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract.
• Other goods to the value of ?175 (if bought outside Europe).

Note: (a) Goods must be purchased in non-EU countries. (b) The above allowances are only for travelers aged 17 years and above. (c) Enquiries concerning current import regulations should be made to the Royal Netherlands Embassy in the country of departure, or to the national Chamber of Commerce. (d) The import of firearms and ammunition requires a license.

Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU
On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only. Member states may follow the EU's guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of fortified wine; 90l of wine; 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos; 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.