Skip to Navigation | Skip to Content

Netherlands

General Information & Brief Economic Summary

Standards

US Government Contacts in The Netherlands

Dutch Government Contacts

Trade Associations and Other Key Contacts

Trade Event Schedule


General Information & Brief Economic Summary

Dutch economic policy is geared chiefly toward sustained and environmentally sustainable economic growth and development by way of fiscal consolidation, labor and product market reforms, economic restructuring, energy conservation, environmental protection, regional development, and other national goals. The Netherlands, which derives more than two-thirds of GDP from merchandise and services trade, continue to have a strongly positive balance of trade. Since there are no significant trade or investment barriers, the Netherlands remains a receptive market for U.S. exports and an important investment partner. The Netherlands is the eighth largest U.S. export market, as well as the third largest direct investor in the United States.

Back to Top

 

Standards

As a member of the EU, the Netherlands applies the product standards and certification approval process developed by the Community. With the development of a single product standard, U.S. exporters may find that it is easier to comply with one EU-wide standard rather than having to meet several individual national standards when exporting to Europe. U.S. Firms exporting to Europe are still confronted with both national and EU product standards. Key product areas are being regulated at the Union level for conformance to mandatory requirement, the manufacturer or a representative must place a CE mark on all regulated products before they can be sold on the EU market. The CE mark replaces all national safety marks for regulated products.

Contact the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Phone: (301) 975-4038 for updated information from the EU or to obtain a complete list of directives that could affect product sales to the Netherlands or another EU country, call the ITA Office of European Union Affairs, Phone: (202) 482-5276. Other valuable sources of information with regard to foreign standards include the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, Phone: (212) 354-3300, the Department of Commerce's National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161, Phone: (703) 557-4733.

Back to Top

 

U.S Government Contacts in The Netherlands

August Maffry
Counselor for Commercial Affairs

The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service
American Embassy
Lange Voorhout 102
2514 EJ The Hague
APO address:
American Embassy
US & FCS The Hague
Unit 6707 - Box 039
APO AE 09715
Phone: (31) 70 310 9417
Fax: (31) 70 363 2985
Email: the.hague.office.box@mail.doc.gov
Website: www.buyusa.nl

The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service
American Consulate General
Museumplein 19
1071 DJ Amsterdam
Phone: (31) 20 575 5351
Fax: (31) 20 575 5350
Email: amsterdam.office.box@mail.doc.gov

Mark A. Tokola
Counselor for Economic Affairs
American Embassy, The Hague
Unit 6707 - Box 039
APO AE 09715
Phone: (31) 70 310 9271
Fax: (31) 70 310 9348

TPCC Trade Information Center
Phone: 1-800-USA-TRADE

Back to Top

 

Dutch Government Contacts

Ministry of Economic Affairs
P.O. Box 20101
2500 EC The Hague
Phone: (31) 70 379 7169
Fax: (31) 70 379 8074
Ministry of Transport
P.O. Box 20901
2500 EX The Hague
Phone: (31) 70 351 6171
Fax: (31) 70 351 7895
http://www.ez.nl/default_bel.asp?pagina=english

Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA)
P.O. Box 20101
2500 EC The Hague
Phone: (31) 70 379 8818
Fax: (31) 70 379 6322

Netherlands Customs
P.O. Box 4486
6401 CZ Heerlen
Phone: (31) 45 574 2700
Fax: (31) 45 571 6415

Back to Top

 

Trade Associations and Other Key Contacts

The American Chamber of Commerce
Burg. van Karnebeeklaan 14
2582 BB The Hague
Phone: (31) 70 365 9808
Fax: (31) 70 379 6322

Holland International Distribution Council
P.O. Box 85599
2508 CG The Hague
Phone: (31) 70 346 7272
Fax: (31) 70 360 3698
Trade association for transport, logistics, and warehousing companies.

VIFKA
P.O. Box 220
3454 ZL De Meern
Phone: (31) 30 662 1515
Fax: (31) 30 662 1717
Trade association for office, information and (tele) communication industries.

Vereniging Federatie Het Instrument
P.O. Box 2099
3800 CB Amersfoort
Phone: (31) 33 465 7507
Fax: (31) 33 461 6638
Trade association for suppliers of instrumentation for industrial electronics, automation, laboratories and medical technology.

FARON/FME
Netherlands Association of Manufacturers of Electronic Equipment
P.O. Box 190
2700 AD Zoetermeer
Phone: (31) 79 353 1355
Fax: (31) 79 353 1365

FENIT - Federatie Nederlandse Informatie Technologie
P.O. Box 11760
1402 AT The Hague
Phone: (31) 70 385 7171
Fax: (31) 70 383 6931

Back to Top

 
Trade Event Schedule


Logistica 2009
November 10-14, 2009
Jaarbeurs Utrecht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 30 295 2802
Fax: +31 30 295 2810
Email: Kitty.van.zijtveld@vnuexhibitions.com
www.logistica-online.nl

Back to Top

 

Source: US Department of Commerce.

*This guide is not a complete list of trade associations or publications. We welcome any additions to this document. The Material Handling Industry does not assume a legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the information contained herein. The listing of information here does not reflect an endorsement of any of the particular information by the Material Handling Industry.