--- title: Customs clearance and declaration of your goods. How do you do that? description: Customs paperwork, sorted. Learn how to clear your goods and relocate with peace of mind. Get started now. locale: en_GB url: "https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/clearing-and-clearing-your-goods-at-customs/" site_name: Halo Logistics updated_time: "2025-07-09T10:28:58+00:00" image:secure_url: "https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/02/Hans-Hageman-export-en-emigratie-deskundige-1024x485.jpeg" image:width: 640 image:height: 303 image:alt: Hans Hageman export and emigration expert image:type: image/jpeg --- # Customs clearance and declaration of your goods. How do you do that? ## How do you import your household goods worry-free? Emigrating abroad is a careful process. Especially when all household goods need to arrive properly and completely at your new address. If the shipment is going to a destination outside the EU, it must first go through customs. A process that doesn't need to be difficult, as long as you work according to the rules. First of all, what is the export and import clearance of goods? [Export clearance means declaring your goods to customs when they leave the country](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/services/customs-procedures/) . Import clearance works the other way around. Here you notify customs of the goods entering the country at the border. Import clearance of goods is particularly important during an international move. ## Expert Hans Hageman speaks [Hans Hageman](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/about-us/face-book/) from HALO Removal Logistics opens with reassuring words: "Actually, it's all not that bad. When people [request a moving quote from us,](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/quotation-requests/) they receive it from us including the customs conditions of the relevant country of emigration. It contains all the information you need. Unfortunately, people don't always read carefully. As the move gets closer, they discover that they've missed a few steps in the import clearance process. This wasn't necessary, because everything was clearly indicated." [ Get in touch ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/contact/) ![Hans Hageman export and emigration expert](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/02/Hans-Hageman-export-en-emigratie-deskundige.jpeg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 1") ## Import rules per country Different rules apply for importing your goods in each country. "That's why we have all customs rules documented per country. For example, **all exports from the EU are VAT-free for transport,** and VAT can even be reclaimed for newly purchased goods. The Portuguese islands Madeira and the Azores are within the EU but are still exempt from VAT on transport costs. For shipments within the EU that go by sea, such as to [Madeira](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/madeira/ "Madeira") , [Azores](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/azores/ "Azores") , [Cyprus](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/cyprus/ "Cyprus") etc., a transit document is required. For shipments within the EU that go by land, this is not necessary, as these are free of customs documents. The [Canary Islands](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/canary-islands/ "Moving to Canary Islands") van [Spain](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/spain/ "Moving to Spain") fall outside the EU again, where an export document is actually drawn up.” “[For all countries outside the EU,](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-overseas/) applies, however, the same. Whether it is the Netherlands Antilles, [United Arab Emirates](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/united-arab-emirates/ "Moving to United Arab Emirates") , [Australia,](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/australia/ "Australie") or New Zealand, an export document must always be drawn up. Importing is therefore different for each country. Sometimes a copy of your passport and an inventory list are enough, other countries require six other documents and/or a visa or other admission from you. So stay sharp and read the customs conditions carefully!” ![inventory list emigration for customs](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/02/inventarisatielijst-emigratie-voor-douane.jpeg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 2") ## Customs are not flexible Can you still run into trouble if you follow the rules? Hans: "No, not really. **You simply have to follow the rules, period.**Customs are not flexible. A good example of this is the [Canary Islands](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/canary-islands/) of Spain. Here you need a [NIE-number](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/amsterdam/nl/ServiciosConsulares/PublishingImages/Paginas/inicio/NIE%20NUMMER%20AANVRAGEN.pdf "Apply for NIE number Spain") , otherwise you can't do anything in the Canary Islands. This also applies to importing your goods. You have to apply for this number yourself at a Spanish consulate or the Spanish police, and then you must also register that number with the Spanish tax authorities yourself. Only then can we process an import using that specific number. All of this information is included in the attachment we send along." ![Goods for export](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/02/Goederen-op-de-export.jpeg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 3") ## Arrange everything in advance That's why it's important to arrange everything regarding the import clearance of your goods before departing abroad.**"If you don't have your paperwork in order, you could end up with thousands of euros in storage costs.**You need to prevent that. There are countries where you can easily apply for registration with the municipality, but it takes four to five weeks. During that time, you can't do anything. It's better to arrange everything in advance in the Netherlands and if necessary, [put it in storage here first.](https://www.dejongverhuizingen.com/nl/extra-service/inboedelopslag/ "Household storage") We'll then ship the household goods once all the paperwork is completed. Hans concludes: "I keep emphasizing that you must read all the conditions carefully before shipping your household goods and check this with your moving company. The moving company must provide you with the correct information or refer you to the right information. Prepare well and don't leave it until the last minute. Then everything will work out fine." [ More about international movings ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/moving-international/) ![Acquisition of Halo by De Jong Verhuizingen](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2024/04/Halo-over-ons.jpg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 4") Written by: ![Hans Hageman](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/02/Hans-Hageman-Halo-Removal-Logistics.jpg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 5") Hans is the founder and former owner of Halo Removal Logistics. With his enormous professional knowledge in the field of emigration and export, he is our walking encyclopedia. Hans Hageman ## See also [ Ga naar Zwitserland krijgt geen maximum aantal inwoners: emigreren blijft mogelijk pagina ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/zwitserland-krijgt-geen-maximum-aantal-inwoners/) ![Zwitserland krijgt geen maximum aantal inwoners: emigreren blijft mogelijk](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/06/Emigreren-naar-Zwitserland-blijft-mogelijk-na-referendum.png "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 6") [Zwitserland krijgt geen maximum aantal inwoners: emigreren blijft mogelijk](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/zwitserland-krijgt-geen-maximum-aantal-inwoners/) Droom jij van emigreren naar Zwitserland? Dan is er goed nieuws. De Zwitserse bevolking heeft tegen het voorstel gestemd om een maximum van 10 miljoen inwoners vast te leggen in... [ Ga naar Emigreren van Joure naar Madeira: “We doen het gewoon” pagina ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/emigreren-van-joure-naar-madeira-ervaringen/) ![Emigrating from Joure to Madeira: “Just do it”](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2026/03/Pier-en-Monique-Westra.jpeg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 7") [Emigrating from Joure to Madeira: “Just do it”](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/emigreren-van-joure-naar-madeira-ervaringen/) Emigreren naar Madeira? Pier en Monique verruilden Joure voor zon en vrijheid. Lees hun verhaal over keuzes maken, verhuizen en leven tussen Nederland en Portugal. [ Ga naar Verhuizen naar de Canarische Eilanden, Madeira of de Azoren: zo zit het echt pagina ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/verhuizen-naar-de-canarische-eilanden-madeira-of-de-azoren-zo-zit-het-echt/) ![Moving to the Canary Islands, Madeira or the Azores: how it really works ](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/12/Inboedel-verhuizen-naar-Portugees-eiland.jpg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 8") [Moving to the Canary Islands, Madeira or the Azores: how it really works ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/verhuizen-naar-de-canarische-eilanden-madeira-of-de-azoren-zo-zit-het-echt/) Verhuizen naar een Spaans of Portugees eiland is niet hetzelfde als naar Spanje of Portugal. Wie dat verschil niet kent, loopt snel vast in papierwerk, extra kosten en vertraging. [ Ga naar “Emigreren is geen vakantie en daar gaat het vaak mis” pagina ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/emigrating-isnt-a-holiday-and-thats-where-it-often-goes-wrong/) !["Emigrating isn’t a holiday — and that’s where it often goes wrong"](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/07/Hans-Hageman-expert-op-het-gebied-van-emigraties.jpeg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 9") ["Emigrating isn’t a holiday — and that’s where it often goes wrong"](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/emigrating-isnt-a-holiday-and-thats-where-it-often-goes-wrong/) Nou, daar sta je dan. Je hebt het besluit genomen: ik wil emigreren. Nieuwe avonturen, een ander klimaat. Misschien wat minder stress of juist wat meer uitdaging. Maar waar begi... [ Go to Video or home appraisal: what are the pros and cons? page ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/video-of-taxatie-aan-huis/) ![Video or In-Person property valuation: What Are the Pros and Cons?](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2025/06/Videotaxatie-offerte-verhuizing.jpeg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 10") [Video or In-Person property valuation: What Are the Pros and Cons?](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/video-of-taxatie-aan-huis/) When planning a move, estimating the volume and necessary resources is a crucial step. This is done via an appraisal, where a moving advisor estimates a... [ Go to New partnership strengthens international moving services: De Jong Verhuizingen and Halo Removal Logistics join forces page ](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/collaboration-between-the-dejong-and-halo-removal-logistics/) ![New partnership strengthens international moving services: De Jong Verhuizingen and Halo Removal Logistics join forces.](https://halo-logistics.nl/content/uploads/2024/04/Halo-over-ons.jpg "Inklaren en uitklaren van je goederen bij de douane 11") [New partnership strengthens international moving services: De Jong Verhuizingen and Halo Removal Logistics join forces.](https://halo-logistics.nl/en/news/collaboration-between-the-dejong-and-halo-removal-logistics/) From January 1, 2024, De Jong Verhuizingen and HALO Removal Logistics will be joining forces. Both moving companies will focus in their collaboration... ## Get in touch Name First Email address(Required) Phone number