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Export controls of strategic goods

The export of strategic goods is subject to control. Strategic goods are military goods and so-called "dual-use" items, the latter being items that usually have civilian use but which can also be used for military purposes.

The export of strategic goods is subject to control. Strategic goods are military goods and so-called "dual-use" items, the latter being items that may have both civilian and military use. Services related to strategic goods (intangible transfer of technology, technical assistance or brokering) are also subject to control.

Security objectives and international agreements on strategic goods require measures prohibiting by law the export of most of such goods without a license. In some cases the import (of certain chemical substances) and transit are also subject to control.

The pages in the Issue Export controls of strategic goods provide information on the Dutch export policy concerning strategic goods. Most of this can be found in an informal translation in English of the Manual on Strategic Goods. It gives an overview of laws and regulations guiding the export, and in some cases the import, transit, technical assistance and brokering related to strategic goods. The section on transparency provides English translations of the Annual Reports on the Dutch arms export policy. These reports do not only describe the policy developments, but they also include statistics on the licenses issued. The section on the Chemical Weapons Convention explains this separate regime.

Should the information provided on our site not answer your questions on the Dutch export control policy and its procedures, please consult the Dutch language website of the Government of the Netherlands on this issue or contact the Licensing Office CDIU. (The neccessary forms for license applications are available only in Dutch).

Military Goods

Since the Netherlands control list for military goods is in fact the Dutch language version of the Common Military List of the European Union, this webpage offers a link to the site of the Council of the European Union where the list can be consulted in English.

Dual Use Items

The Netherlands control list for dual use items can be found in Annexes of Regulation (EC) no. 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 and its amendments. To consult the dual use list, this page offers a link to the webpage of the European Commission where the Regulation is published in English and other European languages.

Chemical Weapons Convention

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a unique multilateral disarmament agreement with the aim to reduce the threat of chemical weapons. The CWC strives for destruction of existing chemical weapons stockpiles and prohibits activities like development, production, possession, storage, transfer and use of chemical weapons and their precursors. More information can be found on the separate section on the Chemical Weapons Convention of this website. Complete details about the Scheduled Chemicals can be found in the section “Annex on Chemicals” of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Sanctions and Embargoes

Internationally established embargoes (by the United Nations, European Union, or OSCE) sanctions and embargoes may include restrictions on the trade in certain goods, restrictions on financial activities, and visa restrictions for certain people and companies. The Netherlands implements all the sanctions and restrictive measures taken by the Council of European Union. For further information this webpage has a link to the European Commission's website where these measures can be consulted in English.