Import licences or import certificates
Usually, you do not need an import licence or import certificate to import goods. But there are exceptions to this rule. For example, for medicines or certain plants you do need to apply for a permit or other document.
Licence required for certain products
Some products are subject to strict rules for import. If you want to import such products, you may need an import licence, import certificate, or another document. Sometimes this only applies only to certain products from certain countries.
How do you know if you need an import licence or certificate?
There is no list of products for which you need an import licence or certificate. On KvK.nl you will find a list of products to which import restrictions and import regulations may apply.
Applying for an import licence or import certificate
Different government agencies issue these documents for different products. Licensing authorities include the Customs Central Import and Export Office (CDIU) of Dutch Customs, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO, in Dutch), and Farmatec (in Dutch):
- RFO does so for agricultural products and endangered alien animal and plant species (in Dutch), and products made from them;