Includes information on average tariff rates and types that U.S. firms should be aware of when exporting to the market.
Last Published: 8/16/2019

The Netherlands applies EU tariffs which are based on the international Harmonized System of product classification.  Duty rates on manufactured goods from the United States generally range from five to eight percent and are usually based on the C.I.F. value of the goods at the port of entry.  The C.I.F. value is the price of the goods (usually the sales price) plus packing costs, insurance, and freight charges to the port of entry.  Most raw materials enter duty free or at low rates.  Agricultural products face higher rates and special levies.  For information on EU duty rates levied on agricultural products, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 1-202-720-1322.  For information on EU duty rates on manufactured and industrial products, contact the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration's Trade Information Center at 1-800-USA-TRADE.

The Netherlands uses the Harmonized System (HS) designed to classify goods in international trade for customs purposes and for developing trade statistics.  It is arranged into 99 chapters.  The sections are established according to categories such as agriculture, chemicals, chief material of the product, or type of manufacturing industry.  The first chapters cover agricultural and primary products, followed by processed and more technically-complex products.

The HS classification number consists of a minimum of six digits, which are common to all countries that use the Harmonized System.  Additional digits can be used to meet each nation's individual statistical requirements.

If a Dutch importer has requested an HS number for a product being shipped to the United States, this information may be obtained from your closest U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center or from the International Trade Administration's Trade Information Center at 1-800-USA-TRADE.

Prior to signing a long-term contract or sending a shipment of considerable value, it may be prudent for a U.S. exporter to first obtain an official ruling on the customs classification, duty rate, and taxes.  Such requests should be sent to the following address:

Ministry of Finance
Director of Customs
P.O. Box 20201
2500 EE The Hague
The Netherlands


The request should describe the product, the material it is made from, and other details the customs authorities require to classify products correctly.  While customs authorities will not provide a binding decision, the advance ruling will usually be accepted if the goods are found to correspond exactly with the description provided.  

The Integrated Tariff of the Community, referred to as TARIC (Tarif Intégré de la Communauté), shows the various rules and regulations that apply to specific products imported into the customs territory of the EU or, in some cases, exported from it.  The TARIC can be used to determine if a license is required for a product.  The TARIC can be searched by country of origin, HS code, and product description on the Directorate-General for Taxation and the Customs Union website.  The online TARIC is updated daily.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.