What happens if I do not declare animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products in Netherlands?

If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Algemene douanewet, Artikel 10:1, eerste lid, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed. Under Algemene douanewet, Artikel 10:1, tweede lid, if it is treated as smuggling: it carries between 0 and 4 years of imprisonment; an administrative fine is imposed.

Can I post or ship animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products to Netherlands instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Where does this rule come from?

Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) states it in Bringing in more than allowed. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Not all products can simply be brought in. For example, restrictions apply to counterfeit articles, carrying €10,000 or more, food, animals and plants.”

How does Netherlands compare with other countries on animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products, 19 limit it and 1 let it through. Netherlands is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products can I bring into Netherlands?

Restricted

You can bring Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products into Netherlands only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Bringing in more than allowed Dutch Customs

Questions about Animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products in Netherlands

Do I have to declare animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products at Netherlands customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Netherlands customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products in Netherlands?: If you declare the excess yourself, the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Algemene douanewet, Artikel 10:1, eerste lid, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed. Under Algemene douanewet, Artikel 10:1, tweede lid, if it is treated as smuggling: it carries between 0 and 4 years of imprisonment; an administrative fine is imposed.
Can I post or ship animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products to Netherlands instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products out of Netherlands?: Netherlands publishes no separate rule for taking animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Netherlands limit for animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Douane Nederland (Dutch Customs Administration) states it in Bringing in more than allowed. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Not all products can simply be brought in. For example, restrictions apply to counterfeit articles, carrying €10,000 or more, food, animals and plants.”
How does Netherlands compare with other countries on animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit animal, plant, fruit, vegetable, seafood and food products, 19 limit it and 1 let it through. Netherlands is among the ones that set a limit.

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Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

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Other items in this group

Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Cut flowers and wreaths Eggs Fish and other fishery products Food, plant and animal products under agency control Fruits and vegetables