Parallel imports (without manufacturer's permission)

If you wish to import and sell products from outside the EEA (in other words the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) you must have permission from the manufacturer. Imports without this permission are referred to as 'parallel imports'. If a given type of product has been imported in the EEA via an official distribution channel, you may market it freely within the EEA.

The penalties for parallel import may vary from compensation to the destruction of stocks.

Parallel imports of medication

The ban on parallel imports does not apply to medication. If you want to put medicines on the market as a parallel importer, you will need a parallel marketing authorisation from the Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB of the College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen, CBG).