Friday is Black Friday and almost half of the Dutch expect to buy something online, often outside the EU, where the chance of counterfeit goods is high. Do you know what you are allowed to import from webshops outside the EU? Do the check and prevent cheap from becoming expensive.
Friday 25 November is Black Friday and that means a rush on web shops. Almost half of the Dutch expect to buy something online during Black Friday. And they often do this at webshops outside the EU. Although 8 out of 10 expect the chance of counterfeit goods to be greater, 6 out of 10 web shoppers are tempted by better and cheaper deals.
A bag from Gucci or a hoodie from Stone Island for next to nothing. Too good to be true? Then it probably is. Also during Black Friday. And what could be more annoying than waiting for your new bag or hoodie and then getting the message that it has been confiscated at the border? Or that you have to pay extra upon receipt?
Do you know what you can buy online?
To find out whether the Dutch know what can and cannot be imported when they shop online at webshops outside the EU, Enigma Research conducted research among 1,195 Dutch people. Consider, for example, webshops such as AliExpress or Shein. Do you know better?
1. A Block Of Cheese:
49% think this is allowed. Unfortunately! Animal products may not be imported.
2. A Counterfeit Gucci Bag:
29% think this is allowed or with extra costs. Counterfeit goods may not be imported, even against payment of additional costs.
3. Chinese Tea:
This is allowed! 53% got this right.
4. A Bar Of Chocolate:
66% think this is allowed without extra costs. And that’s right, as an exception to the rule of animal products.
5. A Pack Of Cigarettes:
38% think this is not allowed. You can import a pack of cigarettes. But, that is only allowed if there is a Dutch excise stamp on the package. And that is almost never the case with webshops outside the EU.
6. E-Cigarette Refill Pack:
You can enter this, but with extra costs, such as import duties. This cleared 41%.
7. A Kilo Of Apples:
More than half (55%) think this is allowed, with or without additional payment. However, fresh fruit and vegetables may not be imported. Unless you have a special form for that.
8. Genuine Nike Shoes:
7% think this is not allowed and 53% think it can be introduced without extra costs. You may import genuine Nike shoes, but you will have to pay import duties.
9. A Fur Hat:
Products of protected animal species may not be imported. There is a good chance that a fur hat may not be imported. 40% got this wrong.
10. A Painting:
85% think this is allowed. Please note, this is not always allowed. Often a permit is required.
See the overview of rules on customs.nl/internetaankopen. And are you unsure about which countries fall within the EU? You can find that here.
What if you do import counterfeit goods from outside the EU?
Then you can be fined. And of course you also lose your money and the product, because counterfeit items are destroyed. This has everything to do with ‘intellectual property law’. Simply put, you can’t just copy and sell a product. So don’t order. Various parties ask Customs to check whether property rights are being violated. But Customs also carries out regular checks for brands that do not ask for this.
About Customs
Packages entering our country from outside the EU are subject to the supervision of Customs. Customs monitors whether products are allowed to enter the EU. And Customs ensures that the correct taxes and import duties have been paid.
About the poll
The poll was conducted from 13 to 20 October 2022 by Enigma Research on behalf of Dutch Customs. The survey included 1,195 respondents aged 16 and over who had made one or more purchases in web shops in the past year.
