Customs at Schiphol What can/cannot travel with you?
You cannot simply take everything with you when travelling from the Netherlands to a country outside the European Union or when returning from a country outside the EU. Customs rules exist for items like alcohol, tobacco, medicines, meat, (products made of) protected animal and plant species, and large sums of cash. Customs enforces these rules to ensure you do not bring prohibited items into the country.
Customs rules for specific items
Separate rules apply for the following items if you wish to bring them into the Netherlands:
- Medicines
- Counterfeit products
- Pets
- Meat, fish and dairy
- Vegetables, fruit, flowers and plants
- Ancient or antique items
- Large sums of cash
- Alcohol and cigarettes
- Purchases above €430
- Protected animal and plant species
Items that attract a tax levy
You may bring no more than €430 worth of (luxury) goods from countries outside the European Union. Taxes will be due for items which exceed that amount. Cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol may also be subject to additional taxes if you exceed the permitted amount. The number of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages you can bring with you depends on whether you enter the Netherlands from the EU or beyond.
Customs rules for foreign travel
There are customs rules which govern what you are allowed to take with you, even when you exit the Netherlands. You are never permitted to take drugs, weapons, or endangered animal or plant species with you in your baggage. If you wish to take €10,000 or more in cash out of the EU, you must submit a Customs Declaration.
All countries have their own customs and import rules. Those rules usually include animal products, food items like vegetables and fruit, as well as plants and flowers.
Items that are never allowed in your baggage
You are never permitted to pack the following items in your baggage:
- Drugs including hashish, cocaine, heroin, crystal meth or other narcotics.
- Weapons, fake weapons, pepper spray, ammunition or explosives
- Protected animal or plant species, or products made from them (such as crocodile leather shoes or ivory jewellery).
Prepare for your journey
Hand baggage
What items you can and can’t travel with on the plane
Hold and odd-sized baggage
Hold baggage rules and what constitutes an ‘odd-sized’ item
Book your free security timeslot
Skip the queue and go through security at your chosen time.
Check-in
You can check in online or at Schiphol. What works for you?
Passports and travel documents
Check your passport’s validity and any visa requirements
Security check
Be well-prepared and clear security with ease