Starting to export
Do you want to start exporting your products from the Netherlands? Find out if your business is ready to start exporting. Make an export plan and do research. Discover which countries are suitable sales markets for your product or service. And check the product requirements.
Does exporting fit into your business?
Research whether export matches your business and your future plans. Make sure your staff are sufficiently trained. And think about the money you need to realise your export ambitions.
Write an export plan
With an export plan, you can find out if your business is ready to start exporting. In it, you describe:
- how many products you can deliver
- how many products you must sell to make a profit
- the opportunities and risks on the export market
- how to arrange international transport
The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) provides a template you can use to make your export plan.
Do market research
You do market research to find out who are your competitors and your potential customers. You can also commission an external market research company to do the research for you.
Do you know which country you want to export to? You can apply for a market assessment from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO.
Choose the right market
Some countries are more suitable to martket your product than others. Compare different countries and markets. In the Netherlands, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO can provide you with information and support. There are also several foreign market databases you can use to find information about your chosen destination country.
Use the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO’s databases (in Dutch) to find information on:
- economic outlook
- import and export figures
- foreign investments per product
Compare market information per country (in Dutch):
- business opportunities and the market
- import tariffs (when exporting outside the European Union)
- product requirements and other rules.
You can ask RVO to make a comparison for you too. See an overview of all the services RVO offers for exporting businesses.
The CBI (part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency) gives you market information on exports to Europe,
You can consult the European Commission's Access2Markets to find tariffs, customs procedures, product requirements and more for your export destination.
Eurostat, the EU Statistics Bureau, offers the Business Sector Profile, a dashboard on which you can find extensive information on topics and themes across the EU of per EU member state. You can use it, for example, to find out how large the import and export market is in any given EU country per product category.
The World Bank has an extensive range of trade data. This includes the interactive database on trade and competitiveness. Users can, for example, compare countries over time, download data, and see data on maps. In collaboration with the UN, the World Bank also developed the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS). This software allows users to access and retrieve information on trade and tariffs.
The International Trade Center Trade Map database offers data on trade flows and figures of goods and services (import and export). It enables you to find potential gaps in the market for your product.
Check the product requirements in the destination country
The product you export must comply with the rules of the country you are selling it to. You may have to modify your product. Pay attention to who is liable if the product causes damage. This is called product liability.
Exporting used electrical and electronic devices
Are you going to export used electrical and electronic devices? You have to file a yearly e-waste report on how many devices you have exported. To file, you first register your business with Stichting OPEN or with the Nationaal (W)EEE-register (NWR). You can report to the organisation you register with.
Can I get a subsidy?
There are several options for financing your export plans. For instance:
- a bank can request a partial government SME loan guarantee. That way, if you cannot repay your bank loan, the government will cover part of it.
- if your business is a legal entity, such as a BV (private limited company), you can apply for professional advice for your export plans with the Support International Business programme. Please note: if you have a sole proprietorship or VOF, you cannot apply for this subsidy.
- Invest International provides subsidies such as the Dutch Good Growth Fund and the Dutch Trade and Investment Fund. Take their quick scan to see if you are eligible.
Check the Subsidy and Funding Guide on the RVO website to view all the options.
Exporting yourself or through intermediaries
You can export your product yourself, but you can also make use of intermediaries, like an agent or a distributor.
You send your products and invoices directly to your customers. You communicate with your customers and do your own marketing. You can also set up an office abroad to sell your products.
You enter into an international sales contract with your foreign customers.
A distributor buys your goods and then sells them abroad. If you work with a distributor, you run less risk of a customer failing to pay the invoice. You also only need to enter into a single contract. You enter into a distribution agreement with a distributor.
A commercial agent seeks out customers for you. You pay a fee (commission) for this service. You then sell your products to these customers yourself. You set the selling price. If you work with a commercial agent, you maintain closer contact with the users of your products than if you sell through a distributor. And you are better able to keep track of market developments.
You enter into an agency agreement with a commercial agent.
Use contracts
Always put agreements with customers and intermediaries on paper. The Association of Dutch Trade Agents and Importers (VNHI) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have model contracts you can use.