Although it remains quite difficult to estimate whether a foreign product will become a success in the Netherlands, it is not always necessary to reinvent the wheel. There are countries that are known well for their products and product categories, which are often very popular in the Netherlands as well. Think for example about German cars and French wine. Below is a summary of the most important importing countries of the Netherlands and with which goods these countries have become so popular.
1. Germany
For years, Germany is one of the largest importing partners of the Netherlands. For over 100 million euros a year, goods are imported from Germany to the Netherlands. Topping the list of popular import products are of course German cars and car parts, but machinery, chemicals, metals, foods such as fruits and vegetables and textile products from our eastern neighbors are also doing well on the Dutch market. Another highly successful import product is of course German beer.
2. China
The amount of import from China to the Netherlands – and to the rest of the world – is increasing rapidly every year. Where this Asian country was still at the bottom of the top 10 of popular countries to import from, it has climbed up the list at a rapid pace and is now a very important import country for the Netherlands. One of the reasons is that sales and production prices are a lot lower than in the Netherlands and other (European) countries. Moreover, virtually all products and product types one can think of can be produced in China, making it a very attractive country for importing for example customized products. The most popular Chinese goods that find their way to the Netherlands are clothing, electronics, toys and shoes.
3. Belgium
Who thinks of Belgium, often thinks immediately of tasty food: Belgian fries, chicory, Belgian beer and of course the famous Belgian chocolate. It is therefore not surprising that consumer goods form a large part of the Belgian export. The food items of our southern neighbors are doing very well on the Dutch market: everywhere in the Netherlands Belgian restaurants and other eateries pop up and also in the Dutch supermarkets there are plenty of Belgian delicacies. In addition to food, also fashion items, diamonds, machinery, plastics, pharmaceuticals and azaleas are every day transported from Belgium to the Netherlands.
4. United States
Import from the USA is still an interesting option. In particular products and product variations that are not (yet) available in the Netherlands, like American cars, small electronics and certain foods, are very popular with Dutch customers. In addition to consumer products, there are also other goods that are brought to the Netherlands from the United States of America. Examples are motor vehicles, aircrafts, iron and steel, industrial and power-generating equipment, chemical products and all kinds of electronic devices.
5. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has been an important import country for the Netherlands for a long time. There are many aerospace products, motor vehicles, electrical appliances, machinery, chemicals and mineral fuels that are imported from the UK to the Netherlands. In addition, many office supplies, medicines and other medical and pharmaceutical products are imported to the Netherlands. Also English wine is becoming a more and more popular export product.
Other import countries
Aside from the five above mentioned import countries, also many goods are being imported from Russia, Norway, France, Poland and Turkey to the Netherlands. Both Russia and Norway are big exporters of oil, natural gas and metals. Norway is also a leading exporter of timber, fish and silver. In addition, Norway is an important import country to the Netherlands, since Norway is regarded a pleasant trading partner. France is not only a popular holiday destination for many of the Dutch, but also French products such as wine, cheese and other foods are very popular in our country. Poland is famous for their export of coal, chemical products and various food products, including vodka, which is probably the most popular Polish beverage for import. The import of goods from Turkey to the Netherlands is increasing every year. Particularly clothing and other textiles are very popular with the Dutch, but also iron and steel, household appliances and cars are more and more imported from Turkey.
HST Groep helps
Whether you want to import from Germany, from China or from another country, HST Groep has the knowledge and resources to help with the logistics of this. Apart from the possibilities to bring the goods to the Netherlands by road transport, sea freight and airfreight, HST Groep also provides storage facilities. Moreover, HST Groep also has their own custom brokers that can help you in the handling of customs and import duties. If you want to know more about importing goods and which logistics actions come along with this, please contact us or request a free quote for your import shipments. Above information is based on data from 2016.