Trade Agreement:CETA (Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement)
Guide to Sending Parcels to the Netherlands
Today's Netherlands was built by its global, seafaring people into a modern and industrial society. As a result of being one of the world's biggest traders today, the Netherlands is a top economic performer in Europe.
And in the area of e-commerce, 14 million of the nation's 17 million people shop and purchase online, with revenues continuing to grow steadily year over year. That can buy you a lot of gouda cheese!
Cheap Shipping Rates to the Netherlands
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Netherlands
through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to the Netherlands. Whether you are an everyday shopper or a business, you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking
information to Netherlands
Disclaimer
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this
page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Netherlands before shipping any
goods.
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 21, 2026
8:49 am
The Hague, HA, NE
Delivered
Feb 20, 2026
7:18 am
Rotterdam, RO, NE
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
9:03 pm
Delft, DE, NE
International Clearance
Feb 19, 2026
8:14 am
Amsterdam, AM, NE
In transit
Feb 19, 2026
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Feb 18, 2026
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Gifts shipped to the Netherlands from Canada incur no duties or taxes
if the parcel has a value of less than €45 (about $73 CAD).
As well, the parcel must not exceed the quantity restrictions for
alcohol, tobacco and perfumes as shown below under Restrictions.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the
commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one
individually.
Restrictions
Gifts of alcohol, tobacco or perfumes are restricted to certain
quantities as outlined below:
1 L of distilled spirits (alcohol content greater than 22%)
1 L of distilled spirit with an alcohol content of less than 22%
(such as sake, aperitifs)
1 L sparkling wine; (or a proportional amount of the 3 items above)
2 L non-sparkling wine
50 cigarettes or 25 cigarillos (maximum of 3 g per cigarillo) or 10
cigars or 50 g rolling tobacco (or a proportional amount of these
items)
50 g of perfume or 250 mL of eau de toilette
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
Gift shipments from an individual in Canada to an individual in the
Netherlands will incur taxes and duties depending on the value of the
parcel. See the table below for details.
Parcel Value
Duties & Taxes
€45 or Less (about $73 CAD)
No duties No VAT
Greater than €45 but less than €700 (about $1,130
CAD)
Duty of 2.5% on the value of the goods VAT Alcohol, tobacco and perfume incur excise taxes
Greater than €700 (about $1,130 CAD)
Import duties* VAT (21%, 9% or 0%)* Alcohol, tobacco and perfume incur excise taxes
Gift shipments from a business in Canada to an individual in the
Netherlands will incur taxes and duties depending on the value of the
parcel. See the table below for details.
Parcel Value
Duties & Taxes
€22 or Less (about $36 CAD)
No duties No VAT
Greater than €22 but Less than €150 (about $242
CAD)
No duties VAT (21% or 9% or 0) Excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco
and perfumes
Greater than €150 (about $242 CAD)
Import duties VAT (21% or 9% or 0) Excise taxes on alcohol,
tobacco and perfumes
Some examples of how to calculate import duties can be found here.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Johannes Vermeer Voldersgracht 21 2611EV Delft Netherlands
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Sending Multiple Gifts to the Netherlands
If a package has 2 or more gifts, it is considered 1 shipment if it is
shipped to 1 address and all the gifts are on the same invoice or have
the same airbill number.
If you have several gifts within one package, import tax is calculated
on the value of the entire package. For instance, if the package has 2
gifts, 1 of €25 and 1 of €200, import taxes will be
calculated on €225. Be sure to:
Words "Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package" appear in
General Description of Goods as well as the Detailed description of
goods (see sample)
Individually wrap and tag each gift separately
Ensure the names on each tag are different and clearly marked on the
commercial invoice
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Johannes Vermeer Voldersgracht 21 2611EV Delft Netherlands
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Sending your personal effects to the Netherlands from Canada is a
simple process, and most items in your shipment will be duty and tax
free.
Moving Temporarily
If you are a student moving to the Netherlands for a short period of
time, you may bring your personal effects duty and tax free. See the
conditions below that apply.
The goods eligible for this exemption include:
Clothing
Linen
Used furniture for your room
Equipment and supplies specifically for studying, for e.g., books,
computer
Moving Temporarily - Conditions
You must have a residence in the Netherlands
You are registered with an educational facility in the Netherlands
(it could be private or special)
To be exempt from duties, you must complete a Customs declaration,
which is then filed by your transportation company on your behalf
Moving Temporarily - Required Documents
A signed inventory listing your personal goods you are shipping to
the Netherlands
A certificate of registration from the municipality where you will
be living. This could be:
a copy of a rental agreement
a certificate of enrolment at the school you will be studying at
Moving Permanently
Situations in which you may be moving permanently to the Netherlands
include:
You have been given employment by a Dutch company or institution
You have married recently, or will be soon, and wish to send your
personal effects to the Netherlands
You will be able to ship your personal effects from Canada to the
Netherlands tax and duty-free if you meet the conditions below.
Moving Permanently - Conditions
You are transferring your residence from Canada to the Netherlands
You have lived outside of the EU for at least 12 consecutive months
The items shipped are used and have been owned by you for at least 6
months
The goods are imported within 12 months of living in the Netherlands
You will not loan, lease or transfer your goods for 12 months after
they have been imported
To be exempt from duties, you must complete a Customs declaration,
which is then filed by your transportation company on your behalf
Notes:
The duty and tax exemption does not apply to alcohol shipped as part
of personal effects.
Tobacco products must have a valid Dutch excise seal on them. If
not, they will be ceased and duties charged.
Also, non-portable equipment for professional endeavours are not tax
and duty exempt.
Moving Permanently - Required Documents
A signed inventory listing of your personal goods that you are
shipping to the Netherlands
A certificate of registration from the municipality where you will
be living that indicates the day you moved to the Netherlands. This
could be:
an employment contract
an employer's statement
a work permit
a rental contract or mortgage document for your home in the
Netherlands
Johannes Vermeer Voldersgracht 21 2611EV Delft Netherlands
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Personal effects being delivered to my new address.
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
5 Pairs
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
IN
$40.00
1 Each
Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
CA
$478.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Personal Effects Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Food, Chocolate, Candies
Small quantities of non-animal food products, chocolate and candies
may be shipped to the Netherlands without an accompanying health
certificate. Limitations to quantities are shown below.
Shipping animal food products to the Netherlands should be avoided as
they require a health certificate issued by the Canadian government.
You May Ship
Up to 20 kg of fish or fish products, providing they are not
protected
Caviar: a maximum of 125 g is allowed; if the value is more than
€430 (about $695 CAD), duty taxes will apply
Up to 5 kg of fruit or vegetables
Chocolate, candies and other sweets
Up to 2 kg of infant-specific food products including powdered milk*
Particular foods for medical purposes*
* The foods are a commercial, shelf-stable product in an unopened
container labelled with a registered trademark.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Johannes Vermeer Voldersgracht 21 2611EV Delft Netherlands
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2027 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Product samples may be shipped from Canada to the Netherlands duty and
tax free if they are of negligible value. The purpose of sending
samples is to encourage orders of the product.
Shipments are classified as samples and eligible for duty and tax
exemptions if:
The recipient is a business
The sample(s) is/are in a limited quantity or sizes
The sample has been made unsellable by one of the following methods:
Torn or slashed
Defaced with indelible marking
Perforated
The commercial invoice includes a description of the sample with its
mutilation
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Johannes Vermeer Voldersgracht 21 2611EV Delft Netherlands
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Shipping products to the Netherlands for repair is a fairly
straightforward process and is exempt from duties and taxes under the
inward processing rules of the European Union.
Inward processing means goods from outside the EU brought into the EU
to have work done on them, such as repairs.
Items Under Warranty
As Canada and the Netherlands have a free-trade agreement (CETA),
repairs under warranty returning to Canada from the Netherlands are
duty-free and will not be charged GST.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Repaired equipment that is no longer under warranty and returning to
Canada from the Netherlands will be charged GST on the value of the
repair and on any new parts required to complete the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to the Netherlands
When sending product for repair to the Netherlands, include the
following information on the parcel:
Write 'REPAIR & RETURN' on the commercial invoice under General
Description or Remarks
Indicate the Serial/Product number under the Detailed Description of
Goods section on the commercial invoice
Include a copy of the Repair Contract with all your export
documentation
Returning Product After Repairs are Completed
If your product has been repaired in Canada and is being returned back
to the Netherlands, ensure to do the following:
Write 'REPAIR & RETURN' on the commercial invoice in the General
Description or Remarks section
Indicate the value of the product INCLUDING the
cost of the repair under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when
the item was first exported to the Netherlands
Be sure to write the necessary information on the commercial invoice
according to the document checklist below.
Repair Checklist
Commercial Invoice must clearly state 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the
General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of
return
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated
under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Johannes Vermeer Voldersgracht 21 2611EV Delft Netherlands
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Temporary importation of goods into the Netherlands, without incurring
duties or taxes, is allowed for a maximum of 24 months. However, for
some goods the time limit is less.
Make sure to clearly indicate the return date on the commercial
invoice.
Goods that are often part of a temporary import include:
Materials and goods to be used for entertainment or during a public
exhibition such as a trade show booth
Items that will be used or displayed at a fair, exhibition or event
Commercial samples
Scientific and professional equipment
Equipment required to evaluate and test the operation of other goods
and equipment
Tools and specialised equipment required for repairing, exploring,
producing or manufacturing
Temporary admissions are expected to follow the rules below:
They will not be changed other than from normal wear-and-tear
Are intended to be re-exported from the Netherlands
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into the Netherlands,
you can pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following
methods requires you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI). More
details below.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying Duties and taxes
1
Commercial Invoice Only
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice + ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice Only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn't
guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free.
Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e.
UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't
charge any duties and taxes.
2. Commercial Invoice + an ATA Carnet
This option is great for items that frequently travel in and
out of the country. It's also great because once you have an
ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making
the application process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a
temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items
that are of temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of this article. You can
however, contact your local chamber of commerce and they
will be able to guide you along. You can also find more
information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/
In addition to the 2 options listed above, the following conditions
must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free
exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, allowing for
normal wear and tear; maintenance and minor repairs are allowed
under certain conditions
Stay no longer than 24 months in the Netherlands
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written
in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no
repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received
within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
NOTE: Goods sold and shipped to the
Netherlands will incur duty imports and VAT. The range of VAT tariffs
can be found here. If the products are alcoholic beverages or tobacco, then excise
taxes will also be applied to them.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Johannes Vermeer Voldersgracht 21 2611EV Delft Netherlands
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736 General Description: Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number:
123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS Date: 28 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None Total number of packages: 1 Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00 Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This
process alone can be confusing and time-consuming. So we’ve narrowed
down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of
being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.).
Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's
destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the
commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels). These
are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document
pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the
system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled
good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a
controlled good and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US
Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Netherlands. A COO
proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in
Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Netherlands, it will
incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters
of credit for the goods. Otherwise, it is generally your choice
whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you
can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process
and ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties
and taxes.
Goods entering the Netherlands may be prohibited while others may enter
with conditions (they are restricted). Prohibitions and restrictions are
in place to protect Dutch citizens and abide by international trade
agreements.
Below are abbreviated lists of prohibited or restricted items that Dutch
authorities control entering the Netherlands. A complete list of
prohibited and restricted items can be found here .
Prohibited Items
Weapons, ammunition and explosives
Illicit drugs such as hashish,
cocaine, heroin and any drug paraphernalia
Counterfeit items
Goods made from protected animals
Products made from protected animals
and their parts
Products made from protected plants
and their parts
Food products: cheese, meat, fish,
milk and its byproducts
Game trophies and animal skins
Cultural goods like antiques and art,
and designer jewellery
Iron and steel products from Russia
(effective Sept 2023)
Diamonds and diamond products from Russia
(effective Jan 2024)
E-cigarette liquid (UPS cannot clear)
Restricted Items
Caviar (125 g maximum)
Vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers
shipped in commercial quantities or for scientific purposes may only
enter with a phytosanitary certificate
Plant materials NOT intended for
commercial use or scientific purposes may be shipped to the
following maxima:
Import duties and taxes in the Netherlands are calculated based on the
sum of the Customs Value, Insurance Amount, and Freight costs (shipping
costs). This is known as CIF.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
Using the CIF Value, you can predict how much duty & tax the recipient
must pay to the Dutch government to receive their goods.
Thresholds
Some countries have a threshold below which duties and taxes are not
charged. This is known as the de minimis value. For the Netherlands,
the de miminis for duties is €150 CIF (about $242 CAD); and for
VAT, it is €0.
NOTE: Alcoholic beverages, perfumes, and eau
de toilette are always subject to VAT, duties, and excise taxes.
Currency
Euro (EUR) - €
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
€ 150
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
9% applies to food, medicines, books, newspapers and magazines, and agricultural products and services
21% standard rate that applies to most goods
Tax Exemption (De minimis Value)
€0 - effective July 1st, 2021
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Canada has a free trade agreement with the Netherlands via the EU
(CETA). As a result, 98% of all trade goods and services between the 2
countries incur no duties.
Rules of origin ensure that CETA preferential tariff rates benefit EU
and Canadian production. In order to take full advantage of CETA
preferential tariff rates, traders will need to fulfil the rules of
origin defined in the agreement and prescribed for each and every
product. The Commission has developed a practical Guide to the CETA Rules of Origin to help you find your way.
Candy 0%
Chocolate 0%
Spirits 0%
Wine 0%
Books 0%
Documents 0%
Video Games & Consoles 0%
Laptops 0%
Tablets 0%
Smartphones 0%
Cameras 0%
Electronics Accessories 0%
Coats 0%
Beauty Products & Cosmetics 0%
Jewellery 0%
Shirts 0%
Pants 0%
Home Appliances 0%
Toys 0%
Sports Equipment 0%
*Dutch authorities are very strict about importation of tobacco and
its products. Shipments of tobacco MUST have a Dutch excise stamp or
they will be confiscated.
You can purchase insurance
through Secureship, and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting
your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared
insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment, our
system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or
damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is
insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable,
if it doesn't meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased
through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to the Netherlands from Canada can take between 2-5 business
days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 2 months
to complete the delivery.
