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- FAQs
The following announcements may look quite official but
this web page is not maintained by any embassy,
so check with the nearst embassy, consulate general or
Netherlands American Business Information Desk (addresses at the
bottom of the page) for the latest news. The
info on this page is only a guideline.
Remember that more and more legislation is becoming supranational, i.e. EU legislation.
If you land in Amsterdam on your way to another place in Europe, Amsterdam is the port
of entry to the EU. More and more legislation is being harmonised (wooden shoes
are now officially considered 'safety shoes')
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions, with answers or links to the proper websites. If you are searching for info on Canada, go to www.canada.gc.ca
September 2006 - Notice to air travellers The Government of Canada has instituted new security measures in airports to protect Canadians and combat terrorism. In light of these new measures the government wishes to remind all air travellers that liquids, gels or aerosols are not permitted to be carried on board an aircraft, including in carry-on baggage. Passengers should pack liquids or gels in checked baggage. Liquids or gels include, but are not limited to: beverages, puddings, perfumes, deodorants, shampoos, suntan lotions, creams, hand sanitizers, toothpastes, hair gels, contact solutions, mascaras, lip glosses and other items of similar consistency. A list of aerosols permitted in checked baggage is available at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website listed below. Passengers with infants may bring aboard baby formula, bottled breast milk and baby food needed for the duration of the flight, as well as diapers, baby wipes and talc. Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket, insulin and other essential non-prescription medicines are allowed. Laptop computers, cell phones, MP3 players and other portable electronic devices are still permitted in carry-on bags as they are screened at security checkpoints. Travellers should arrive at the airport earlier than usual, exercise patience and contact their airline for further information on their flight(s). For more information, please contact Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) at www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca or 1-888-294-2202 or Transport Canada at www.tc.gc.ca.
You can bring to The Netherlands along up to one kg of meat, fish and dairy products, such as cheese, with you for home use, provided that these products come from countries where there are no contagious diseases. If a contagious disease has broken out in a country (in this case Canada), there will be restrictions or prohibition. You may be confronted with extensive customs checks. You may also bring small quantities of fruit for personal use. See also: www.belastingdienst.nl
See the web site of Customs Canada:
Be Aware and Declare.
Save yourself the inconvenience of delays at customs and don't bring any foods
into Canada. It may seem paranoia but at Montreal Airport the officials of
the Ministry of Agriculture deploy 'sniffer dogs' while patrolling the
luggage collection area. If you don't see it in the
list it is NOT allowed.
Get up-to-date info at the Canada Border Services Agency website
Travellers
Typical holiday memorabilia (souvenirs) can be brought in tax free, but can be confiscated if they are fake.
The total of the (holiday) purchases can not exceed 175 Euro. If the value is higher, one has to pay taxes over the WHOLE amount, not only over the exceeding amount. The amount can NOT be divided over the group with which you travel. For example, a couple that imports a 250 Euro camera can not claim 125 per head.
In case you have more articles and the total value exceeds 175 Euro, customs only taxes the cheapest item. For example: in case of a necklace of 150 Euro and a watch of 50 Euro, the watch will be taxed.
Returning goods (for example the camera that you took from home), are obviously free of duties. However, the goods have to be taxed before. You can prove that by bringing an invoice or warranty card. In general, customs will only ask this the item is fairly new and if you are travelling from countries, known for low pricing.
If you haven’t taken any steps to participate in the lottery that you supposedly won, it is most certainly fake. Warning signals:
For more on lottery frauds, read further on www.411fraud.com If you are still not convinced, here is what is going to happen: they'll let you pay a few hundred dollars, than there is an excuse that out of EU winners pay for some transfer fees, another 500 dollars to be sent. And they'll keep you paying, until you protest. A check comes in but guess what: NSF!
Taking your pet to the EU is not difficult if you start preparations in time. Download the PDF-document and read the instructions. Even if you don’t stay in The Netherlands, if you land in Amsterdam, Amsterdam is your port of entry to the EU and it is there where you have to show your documents, even if you stay in transit.
See: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/petse.shtml
You can get your VAT / GST (6%) refunded over certain purchases and (hotel)
expenditures. You must surrender the
original receipts. Download the document from this page:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/gst176/README.html. Note that on
September 25, 2006, the Government of Canada announced the elimination of
the GST Visitors’ Rebate Program effective April 1, 2007 as part of a
package of spending restraint measures.
More about the rebate program.
You may fly through The Netherlands on your way to Africa and it is there where you have to show the documents. Download the document here, fax it to customs in the Netherlands and you’ll receive most likely a permit back.
some email addresses and web sites:
