Import product requirements
When you import goods, you will have to deal with product requirements. The product must meet Dutch and EU standards and regulations. Also, you will have to take into account product liability.
Find out if you may import the product
The Commodities Act states that food and other products must be safe for consumers. A product you import must also comply with safety, health, economic, and environmental laws. Are you importing products from another EU country? And are they already being sold there? Then you may also sell them in the Netherlands. Occasionally, the government may ban a product from the EU.
Check import regulations with the KVK Import Tool
Are you planning to import goods into the Netherlands? Use the KVK Import Tool to check which import regulations apply to over 50 consumer products, including product requirements, documentation and import duties.
Make sure your product is safe
Do you want to sell a consumer (non-food) product in the EU? Then it must comply with European product safety requirements. You are (jointly) responsible for making sure your product is safe.
Some products must also have a CE marking. For example, on toys and electrical appliances. CE marking shows that a product meets European safety, health and environmental requirements.
What you have to do for product safety and what you are responsible for depends on your role in the production chain. Go to the online tool to determine your role.
Use the Access2Markets portal
Product requirements may vary by product. You can find product requirements and import procedures in the EU's Access2Markets portal. You search using the HS product code of the product you want to import. For more information, watch the Access2Markets manual and video.
Check for specific product requirements
The EU has described general and specific product requirements. For example, for clothes, toys and cosmetics. Specific product requirements concern the composition, physical properties, packaging, labelling, and registration of products like textiles and cosmetics. For example: you import makeup from Vietnam. Then you must ensure that the ingredients on the label are in Dutch. Product information should also always be easy to understand. Think about technical instructions.
Importing food
Do you want to import food? Then pay attention to European food safety requirements.
European Regulation on Deforestation-free Products
Do you import from outside the EU? From 30 December 2026 or 30 June 2027, you may need to prove that your products are deforestation-free. This applies to wood, palm oil, cocoa and coffee, for example. Read more about the EUDR.
Find out who is liable in case of damage
Where the product comes from determines who is liable for damages:
- The product comes from a country within the European Economic Area (EEA. All EU countries and of Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway): The manufacturer is liable.
- The product comes from outside the EEA: You, as the importer, are liable. You can take out product liability insurance. This is often part of business liability insurance.
Observe the rules for packaging
Your product’s packaging must meet all kinds of requirements. Do you import packaged products or packaging products? Then you are responsible for the collection and recycling of the packaging. If you bring more than 50,000 kilograms of packaging material onto the Dutch market, you must pay a packaging waste management contribution.