Can I send medicine to the Netherlands?
Yes, with conditions.
Not from outside the EU and EEA: private people can't receive medicines by post or courier, and Opium Act medicines may only travel with the patient. From another EU or EEA country, the import-license ban doesn't apply.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo can't carry prescription drugs. Over-the-counter medicine and vitamins follow the destination's own rules.
More rules for the Netherlands
Not allowed
- Medicines sent by post or courier to private people from outside the EU and EEA
Allowed with conditions
- Medicines under the Opium Act
- Strong painkillers, some sleeping pills, ADHD medication, and similar medicines may only travel with the patient, in their own name, with a Schengen certificate or an English-language medical statement. Don't ship them.
Quantity limits
- Medicines
- None for shipments from outside the EU and EEA. Travelers only: medicines for their own use in their luggage, with a Schengen certificate or English-language medical statement for Opium Act medicines.
Before you ship to the Netherlands
- Tax-free limit
- From another EU country, boxes clear no customs and nothing is due on arrival. From outside the EU (including the UK), there is no tax-free limit anymore. Btw has applied from the first euro since the old €22 exemption ended in 2021, and the €150 (about $175) customs duty exemption ended on July 1, 2026. Gifts sent by one private person to another, worth up to €45 (about $53) per box, remain free of duty and btw. Online purchases worth up to €150 now pay a flat €3 duty per product category until July 1, 2028.
- Receiver ID
- Private receivers don't need a tax or customs number for a personal box. For moving relief, the key document is proof of your municipal registration, which goes to the moving or transport company that files the declaration. Give the courier a phone number and email so it can arrange any payment.
- Transit
- 1-3 business days within the EU; 2-5 from the UK or North America; 3-7 from Asia
Questions
Can I send medicine to the Netherlands?
Yes, with conditions. Not from outside the EU and EEA: private people can't receive medicines by post or courier, and Opium Act medicines may only travel with the patient. From another EU or EEA country, the import-license ban doesn't apply.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Douane Nederland
Extra kosten bij online bestellingen (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Douane Nederland
Cadeau uit het buitenland (opens in a new tab) - 3.
- 4.
Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA)
Ik wil vlees, zuivel of andere dierlijke producten meenemen naar Nederland (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA)
Ik wil planten of plantaardige producten meenemen naar Nederland (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Douane Nederland
Verhuisgoederen en vrijstellingen (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Douane Nederland (Kennisbank)
2 Forfaitaire tarieven en wettelijke tarieven | Handboek Douane (HDU) (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in the Netherlands makes the final decision on every box.