Shipping to Netherlands from Vietnam
Ship to the Netherlands from Vietnam — Rotterdam port and Schiphol air. EVFTA duty savings, NVWA compliance, IOSS / EU customs, door-to-door.
The Netherlands is the EU’s primary maritime gateway — Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, and Schiphol (AMS) is one of the continent’s top air-cargo airports. For Vietnamese cargo, this means short hops to the rest of the EU once goods clear customs, plus the EVFTA tariff framework that eliminates duty on most Vietnam-origin products. Gateway Express ships from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi into Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and the wider Randstad with full NVWA food-clearance support and IPAFFS pre-arrival notification handled in advance.
This page covers our service tiers, the EU customs framework as it applies to NL imports, EVFTA duty savings, what’s allowed and what’s banned (the EU meat-import ban catches first-time shippers), and the Dutch B2B distribution use case where landing first in Rotterdam beats direct shipping to other EU countries.
Shipping Services to the Netherlands
Express Air (5-8 Business Days)
Direct or one-stop flights from Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) — about 19-20 hours flying time.
Best for:
- Time-critical contracts and B2B documents
- Vietnamese coffee, tea, dried foods (with phytosanitary certificate)
- Commercial samples and small high-value cargo
- Personal parcels and gifts for the diaspora
Service features:
- 5-8 business day door-to-door delivery to all Dutch addresses
- NVWA pre-clearance via IPAFFS handled by us
- Real-time tracking with proactive customs updates
- 100% declared-value insurance included
Standard Air (8-12 Business Days)
Cost-effective routing via regional hubs.
Best for:
- Personal parcels, clothing, household items
- Vietnamese specialty foods (with proper labeling)
- Non-urgent commercial cargo
Sea Freight (35-40 Days)
Vung Tau / Ho Chi Minh City to Rotterdam — 32-35 days at sea plus port handling and inland delivery.
Best for:
- Bulk commercial cargo, household relocations, furniture
- Inventory replenishment for Dutch and EU distribution
- LCL and FCL volumes
Service features:
- 35-40 days total transit
- Direct port calls to Rotterdam — no transhipment needed
- Bonded warehouse access for B2B distribution
- Rotterdam operates 24/7 including weekends
EU Customs, EVFTA, and the Dutch VAT Split
Regulators you may interact with
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| NVWA (Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit) | Food safety, quarantine inspection, border control of food and plant goods |
| Dutch Customs (Douane) | Customs clearance, duty and VAT, EORI registration |
| EU DG SANTE | EU-wide phytosanitary and veterinary import standards |
VAT and duty
Dutch VAT splits by category:
| Category | VAT |
|---|---|
| Food and beverages | 9% (reduced rate) |
| General goods | 21% (standard rate) |
Customs duty depends on HS code, but the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) eliminates ~99% of duty on Vietnam-origin goods:
- Shipments under €6,000: origin declaration on the commercial invoice is sufficient
- Shipments over €6,000: EUR.1 or EUR-MED certificate of origin required from Vietnam Chamber of Commerce
- Personal parcels under €150: the EU IOSS framework applies for low-value B2C imports — VAT is collected at point of sale by the seller, no customs duty
Mandatory Dutch labeling
Food products sold in the Netherlands must carry a Dutch-language label (Dutch only or Dutch + English bilingual is acceptable). The label must include:
- Product name in Dutch
- Full ingredient list with allergens shown in bold
- Nutritional information per 100 g / 100 ml
- Manufacturing date and expiration date
- Storage conditions and lot code
A supplementary Dutch sticker can be applied over the original packaging — we coordinate translation and labeling with our Rotterdam-side partners.
Need an NVWA + EVFTA review before pickup? Email info@gatewayexpress.com.vn or call +84 938 373 343 — we’ll handle phytosanitary certificates from the Vietnamese end and IPAFFS notification at the Dutch end.
Rotterdam B2B Distribution — Why Land Cargo in NL First
For Vietnamese exporters serving multiple EU markets, Rotterdam is the optimal first port of call, even when the final destination is Germany, Belgium, France, or Scandinavia. Reasons:
- Largest container port in Europe with the deepest sailing schedules and highest shipping frequency from Asia
- Specialised food-import infrastructure — the State Inspection Terminal (SIT) handles NVWA inspections faster than smaller EU ports
- Rail and barge connections to Germany, Belgium, France within 12-24 hours
- 24/7 operations including weekends and most public holidays
- Bonded warehouse density — duty deferral and re-export to the UK, Switzerland, or onward markets without paying EU import duty
If your shipment is intended for distribution beyond the Netherlands, talk to us about Rotterdam as a consolidation point — it often beats direct shipping to smaller EU destination ports.
What You Can Ship — and What’s Banned by the EU
Allowed (high-priority categories for Vietnam exports)
Processed foods:
- Spices, seasonings, fish sauce, soy sauce, chili sauce
- Instant noodles, dry rice noodles, pho noodles, vermicelli
- Confectionery, snacks (no animal-derived gelatin from non-EU-approved sources)
- Canned vegetables and canned seafood
- Dried foods of all kinds
Beverages:
- Vietnamese coffee, tea (phytosanitary certificate required for plant products)
- Bottled non-alcoholic drinks
Non-food:
- Clothing, footwear, leather goods
- Small furniture and household items
- Cosmetics with EU-compliant ingredients
- Books, handicrafts, lacquerware
- Consumer electronics (with CE marking)
EU-banned categories (Vietnam not yet approved)
The EU prohibits these categories from Vietnam because Vietnam is not currently on the EU’s approved-source list:
- Fresh, frozen, or processed meat of any kind — pork, beef, chicken, dried meat, cured sausages
- Fresh dairy and dairy-derived products from non-approved sources
- Fresh eggs and egg products
- Bushmeat / wildlife products
- Products containing endangered-species ingredients
This catches first-time shippers because items like Vietnamese pork floss (ruốc), beef jerky, lap cheong sausage, and Chinese-style preserved meats are routine in Vietnamese cuisine but cannot enter the EU.
Restricted (small personal quantities only — max ~10 kg)
- Cheese and butter from non-EU-approved sources
- Processed meats from non-approved sources
Plant products and phytosanitary
Most plant-derived products require a phytosanitary certificate issued by Vietnam’s Plant Protection Department. Exemptions: pineapple, coconut, durian, banana, dates.
Dragon fruit (pitahaya): EU inspects 20% of incoming shipments — expect possible delays.
Visiting Vietnam and shipping coffee back to the Netherlands? See our Vietnamese coffee shipping guide for packing, freshness, and EU-import paperwork that applies directly to NL-bound parcels.
How Shipping with Gateway Express Works
Step 1 — Get a quote
Reach us through:
- Hotline: +84 938 373 343 (also +84 944 247 267)
- Zalo / Viber / WhatsApp: message the same number
- Email: info@gatewayexpress.com.vn
- Online: Request a free quote or contact our team
We confirm contents are EU-compliant, advise on EVFTA paperwork (origin declaration vs. EUR.1), and quote a transparent landed cost (freight + estimated VAT).
Step 2 — Pack and prepare paperwork
- Pack to our guidelines (shared with the quote)
- Provide sender ID and full recipient details
- For commercial: HS codes, origin declaration or EUR.1 form
- For food: ingredient lists for Dutch labeling and NVWA review
- Phytosanitary certificate arranged from the Vietnamese end where required
Step 3 — Free door pickup
Free pickup in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; scheduled pickup in Da Nang, Hai Phong, and 60+ provinces.
Step 4 — Transit, IPAFFS, tracking
- Tracking by SMS at pickup
- IPAFFS pre-arrival notification filed at least 1 working day before NL arrival
- Customs milestone updates throughout transit
Step 5 — Door delivery in the Netherlands
- Express: 5-8 business days
- Standard: 8-12 business days
- Sea freight: 35-40 days
NVWA clearance is typically 24-48 hours for compliant shipments.
Where We Pick Up and Deliver
Pickup in Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh City — all districts
- Hanoi — all inner and outer districts
- Da Nang, Hai Phong, and 60+ provinces
Delivery in the Netherlands
- Amsterdam — central, Zuid, Oost, North
- Rotterdam — including port-area B2B addresses, Schiedam, Vlaardingen
- The Hague — including Scheveningen and the embassy quarter
- Utrecht — central NL hub
- Eindhoven, Groningen, Maastricht and all other major cities
- Randstad dense delivery network for next-day final-mile
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping from Vietnam to the Netherlands take?
- Express: 5-8 business days
- Standard: 8-12 business days
- Sea freight: 35-40 days
NVWA clearance for compliant food shipments adds 24-48 hours; IPAFFS notification must be filed at least 1 working day before arrival.
Can I ship Vietnamese fish sauce to the Netherlands?
Yes. Bottled fish sauce is a permitted processed seafood product. It must carry a Dutch-language label with allergens shown in bold, ingredients, manufacturing date, and expiration date. Pack to prevent leakage — glass bottles need cushioning for the long sea journey.
How does EVFTA save on duty?
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement eliminates ~99% of customs duty on Vietnam-origin goods. Under €6,000: you only need an origin declaration on the commercial invoice. Over €6,000: an EUR.1 certificate from Vietnam Chamber of Commerce is required. We arrange both.
Can I ship dried beef, pork floss, or sausages to the Netherlands?
No. The EU bans all meat and meat-derived products from Vietnam — fresh, frozen, processed, dried, cured. Vietnam is not on the EU’s approved-source list. This includes pork floss (ruốc), beef jerky, lap cheong, and similar products. Plant-based alternatives ship without issue.
Are Vietnamese-only labels accepted?
No. All food products sold in the Netherlands must carry a Dutch-language label with full ingredient list, nutrition information, allergens (in bold), and storage conditions. We arrange Dutch supplementary stickers via our Rotterdam partners.
What’s the advantage of shipping into Rotterdam?
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port with specialised food-import infrastructure (the State Inspection Terminal) that processes NVWA checks faster than most other EU ports. For B2B shipments destined for Germany, Belgium, France, or Scandinavia, landing first in Rotterdam often beats direct shipping to those countries.
Can I ship Vietnamese coffee?
Yes — and it’s one of the highest-value categories from Vietnam. A phytosanitary certificate from Vietnam’s Plant Protection Department is required for green coffee beans; roasted coffee is more straightforward. We arrange the certificate.
Do you offer free pickup and insurance?
Yes to both. Free door pickup in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; 100% declared-value insurance included on every shipment.
Visiting Vietnam as a tourist? Ship souvenirs and excess baggage to the Netherlands with free hotel pickup → Tourist Shipping Service.
Ready to ship to the Netherlands? Get a transparent quote and door pickup from Gateway Express.
📞 Hotline: +84 938 373 343
📧 Email: info@gatewayexpress.com.vn
🏢 Office: 72/5 Giai Phong St., Tan Son Nhat Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Your trusted Vietnam–Netherlands shipping partner.
Packaging & shipping operations at the Gateway Express warehouse
Gateway Express staff packing parcels
Team sorting and preparing international shipments
Warehouse staging area for international freight
Gateway Express warehouse ready for dispatch
Weighing and labelling parcels for shipment
Carefully packaged parcels awaiting pickup
Economy 2026
Transit time:8-15days·VND·Chưa VAT 8%
Per-kg rates (≤ 20kg)
| Weight (kg) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 kg | $50.86 |
| 1 kg | $55.77 |
| 1.5 kg | $60.68 |
| 2 kg | $65.58 |
| 2.5 kg | $70.49 |
| 3 kg | $75.39 |
| 3.5 kg | $80.30 |
| 4 kg | $85.20 |
| 4.5 kg | $90.11 |
| 5 kg | $95.01 |
| 5.5 kg | $103.69 |
| 6 kg | $108.60 |
| 6.5 kg | $113.51 |
| 7 kg | $118.41 |
| 7.5 kg | $123.32 |
| 8 kg | $128.22 |
| 8.5 kg | $133.13 |
| 9 kg | $138.03 |
| 9.5 kg | $142.94 |
| 10 kg | $121.41 |
| Weight (kg) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 10.5 kg | $130.53 |
| 11 kg | $130.53 |
| 11.5 kg | $139.66 |
| 12 kg | $139.66 |
| 12.5 kg | $148.78 |
| 13 kg | $148.78 |
| 13.5 kg | $157.90 |
| 14 kg | $157.90 |
| 14.5 kg | $167.02 |
| 15 kg | $167.02 |
| 15.5 kg | $183.69 |
| 16 kg | $183.69 |
| 16.5 kg | $192.81 |
| 17 kg | $192.81 |
| 17.5 kg | $201.94 |
| 18 kg | $201.94 |
| 18.5 kg | $211.06 |
| 19 kg | $211.06 |
| 19.5 kg | $220.18 |
| 20 kg | $220.18 |
Bulk rates (>20kg)
| Weight range | Rate (USD/kg) |
|---|---|
| 21–25 kg | $11.01/kg |
| 26–30 kg | $10.82/kg |
| 31–40 kg | $10.63/kg |
| 41–70 kg | $10.44/kg |
| 71–500 kg | $10.25/kg |
Updated: 2026-06-08
Final invoice issued in VND. USD amounts are approximate.
Why Choose Gateway Express?
Vietnam's leading international shipping service
Free Door Pickup
Door Pickup
We pick up packages from your address
Delivery to Netherlands
Door Delivery
Delivered directly to the recipient
100% Value Insurance
Full Insurance
Complete peace of mind for every shipment
Real-Time Tracking
24/7 Tracking
Track your shipment anytime, anywhere
Hotline 24/7: 0938 373 343 | 0944 247 267
Our Professional Shipping Process
Optimized into 6 simple steps so you can track your shipment with complete peace of mind.
Consultation & Quote
We advise on procedures, transit times, rates, and confirm the optimal shipping plan for you.
Door-to-Door Pickup
Our team picks up your package from your door — free within city limits.
Inspection & Packing
We inspect, weigh, and pack your goods to international standards (FDA, MSDS compliance).
Customs Clearance
We handle all customs paperwork, declarations, and clearance — so you don't have to.
International Transit
Your shipment travels via trusted carriers — FedEx, DHL, UPS — with real-time tracking.
Successful Delivery
Package delivered to the recipient's door with "Delivered" status confirmed in our system.
Shipment gallery
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