Directorate-General for Customs

Customs monitors EU cross-border trade in goods, levies and collects import duties and taxes, and enforces legislation on health, safety, the economy and the environment. It also levies and collects domestic excise duties and consumption taxes. This contributes to the robust funding of public tasks, a safe society, and a strong, attractive and fair internal market.

The Directorate-General performs tasks on the basis of the Union Customs Code (UCC) and dozens of EU Regulations. The Netherlands works with other member states and the European Commission to adopt this EU legislation and formulate EU customs policy. As a member of the World Customs Organization, it also helps formulate global customs policy. This results in streamlined procedures that benefit businesses both inside and outside the EU.

The Directorate-General also performs tasks on the basis of domestic legislation, such as the General Customs Act (ADW).

Its tasks:

  • Payment of customs duties, import duties and domestic excise duties
  • Protecting society against unsafe and undesirable goods
  • Helping to strengthen Dutch and European competitiveness.