Do you want to bring tobacco and cigarettes to the Netherlands from abroad? If you bring too much tobacco and cigarettes, you will have to pay duty. How much tobacco and cigarettes you may bring duty-free depends on the country from which you are travelling, and whether that country is in or outside the European Union (EU).
Bringing tobacco and cigarettes from a country in the EU
If you are bringing tobacco and cigarettes to the Netherlands from another EU country, you need to follow these rules:
- Young people under the age of 17 may not bring tobacco.
- Check in advance how much tobacco and cigarettes you may bring duty-free from an EU country.
- You may only buy and bring tobacco for your own personal use, not for resale.
Taxes are included in the price you pay. You do not need to pay any further taxes in another EU country.
Does Dutch Customs suspect that you are bringing more tobacco than the maximum quantity? If the tobacco is not for your own use or for resale, Dutch Customs will ask you for proof, such as purchase receipts. If you do not have proof, or if the proof is insufficient, you will have to pay duty to Dutch Customs, or Dutch Customs may seize the tobacco.
Bringing tobacco and cigarettes from a country outside the EU
If you are bringing tobacco and cigarettes to the Netherlands from a country outside the EU, you need to follow these rules:
- Young people under the age of 17 may not bring tobacco.
- Check in advance how much tobacco and cigarettes you may bring duty-free from that country.
If you are bringing more tobacco than the maximum duty-free quantity, you must declare this to Dutch Customs. At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, choose the red exit marked ‘Goods to declare’.
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Uitvoeringsregeling accijns, artikel 3a
Found what you were looking for?
Last updated on 20 October 2025