Setting fixed book prices

Do you publish or import books in the Netherlands? You must set a fixed price for (paper) books in Dutch and Frisian. You must register the book and notify the price to the Dutch Media Authority (Commissariaat voor de Media, CvdM).

Why a fixed book price?

The fixed price ensures that a book will be sold for the same retail price in every shop. This prevents competitive pricing and should ensure a broad supply of books.

To which works does the fixed price apply?

The fixed price applies to works that are:

• paper books in Dutch or Frisian (and that have a title)
• sheet music publications (on paper)
• supporting information media
• meant for sale to consumers

There is no fixed price for electronic books (e-books) and audio books.

Registering the fixed book price

You have to register a new book and its price with the Dutch Media Authority:

• First you have to register the publisher (in Dutch).
• Then you log in to vasteboekenprijs.nl to submit the book and the price. You can also register and submit the price using a forms Formulier registreren and Formulier melding vaste prijs (in Dutch)

You must also submit the information if:

• the price changes (choose Formulier melding prijswijziging, in Dutch). You are allowed to do so 6 months after it has been introduced and every 6 months thereafter.
• a special price applies (choose Formulier melding bijzondere prijs, in Dutch)
• you lift the fixed price. You are allowed to do so 1 year after introduction

New publications, price changes and special prices must be reported to the Dutch Media Authority via the portal on vasteboekprijs.nl at least one week before they take effect (in Dutch).