Read here everything you need to know about sending a sending a package and the height of import duties.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
As a country within the European Union, the Netherlands is subject to certain import duties that apply to goods imported from outside the EU. These import duties are intended to regulate and protect trade, and to generate tax revenue for the government.
The import duties applicable to a particular product can vary depending on the country of origin, the nature of the product, and its use. Import duties can be calculated based on a fixed rate, a percentage of the product's value, or a combination of both. In addition to import duties, other levies and taxes may also apply to imported goods, such as VAT and excise duties. It is important to know the correct rates and taxes before importing goods, so you are not surprised and can plan your costs. If you want to import goods into the Netherlands, you can contact the customs authorities for more information about the import duties and other charges applicable to your specific products and situation.
Import duties are taxes levied by a country on goods imported from another country. They are also called customs duties and are intended to protect domestic producers from competition from foreign products and to increase government revenue.
Receive an estimate of the import duties, VAT, and clearance costs of your shipment within 10 seconds. At ParcelParcel, we find it important that everyone can easily send internationally! We notice that many of our customers want an estimate of the import duties, VAT, and clearance costs.
Here's how it works:
If you want to import goods from the UK to the Netherlands, you will have to pay import duties in most cases. The amount of import duties depends on the type of goods and their value. You can calculate the import duties using the goods code, also called the HS code, corresponding to the type of goods you want to import. Read more about import duties and England here.
If goods are imported from the United States to the Netherlands, then import duties are applicable in most cases. The amount of import duties depends on various factors, such as the type of goods, the value of the goods, and the country of origin.
It's important to know that the United States and the Netherlands have a trade agreement called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). This agreement aims to facilitate trade between the United States and Europe and to reduce or even eliminate import duties. This means that some goods may be exempt from import duties, depending on the nature of the goods and the specific conditions of the agreement. Read more about import duties and America here.
If you have any questions about import duties, VAT, or the clearance process, please contact us via Live Chat (working days 08:00-17:30 hours). Our support specialists are happy to help you with your questions. You can also contact us by phone or email.
Import duties in the Netherlands depend on the type, value, and origin of the goods. Most imports are subject to both VAT and customs duties. With ParcelParcel, we help you classify your items accurately to determine the right charges and ensure a smooth import process.
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Calculating customs duties requires the Harmonized System (HS) code of your goods, their value and the country of origin. ParcelParcel offers guidance and tools to help you estimate costs precisely and avoid surprises. If you don't know the HS code of the items you want to import, here is our tool to find out: ✨ HS-code suggestie tool
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The standard VAT rate is 21%, with reduced rates of 9% or 0% for certain products. At ParcelParcel, we help you determine the correct VAT rate for your shipment to ensure compliance and accurate pricing.
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Customs require clear documentation, including invoices, shipping labels, and product codes. At ParcelParcel, we assist you in preparing all necessary paperwork to avoid delays and ensure your goods clear customs smoothly.
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VAT is calculated based on the product’s value, shipping costs, and duties. Proper documentation is essential to avoid overpaying or customs issues. ParcelParcel simplifies this process by guiding you step by step.
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Certain items, like gifts under a specific value or goods from within the EU, may be exempt. ParcelParcel helps you stay updated on the latest regulations to confirm if your shipment qualifies for duty exemptions.
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You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
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Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
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You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
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Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
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A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
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You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
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You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
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