Genuine mistake in customs declaration fined instead of prosecuted

What changes?

Do you import or export goods? From 2024, you will no longer be criminally prosecuted if your customs declaration contains a genuine mistake or if it is incomplete. Instead, you will get fined. You will also be fined if you do not submit the customs declaration at all, or not in good time. The maximum fine is €1.377.

You will also get a maximum fine of €5.514 if the declared amount is too low.

The period for imposing the fine will be reduced from 5 to 3 years.

For whom?

• entrepreneurs that import or export goods

When?

The change in law is expected to enter into effect on 1 July 2024.

Please note: The effective date of this measure is not yet final. Entry into force is subject to its passing through the Upper and Lower Houses (Eerste en Tweede Kamer) of parliament or proclamation of the Order in Council (Algemene Maatregel van Bestuur, AMvB) or ministerial decree and publication in the Staatsblad or Staatscourant (Government Gazette, in Dutch).