Do I have to declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement at Netherlands customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to Netherlands customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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.

Does the Netherlands limit for food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 Medicijnen. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Reist u naar Nederland? Dan mag u de meeste medicijnen gewoon meenemen als die voor eigen gebruik bestemd zijn.”

How does Netherlands compare with other countries on food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. Netherlands is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement can I bring into Netherlands?

Restricted

You can bring Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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

Medicijnen Douane Nederland

Questions about Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement in Netherlands

Do I have to declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement at Netherlands customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Netherlands customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out of Netherlands?: Netherlands publishes no separate rule for taking food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Netherlands limit for food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 Medicijnen. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Reist u naar Nederland? Dan mag u de meeste medicijnen gewoon meenemen als die voor eigen gebruik bestemd zijn.”
How does Netherlands compare with other countries on food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. Netherlands is among the ones that set a limit.

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