Trade facilitation
Virtual free trade zone
In collaboration with various partners, North Sea Port facilitates fast and safe transport of products into and out of the European Union. Our aim is to provide a one-stop-hub; all the expertise in our port area is harnessed to make the logistical handling and administration of goods as smooth and simple as possible.
Elsewhere, international trade often means borders going up. By working with stakeholders including the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV), the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and customs, that kind of hard border is being eliminated as much as possible at North Sea Port. And wherever possible, North Sea Port also provides the necessary facilities and permits.
So that where checks are still required, they have a minimal impact on the supply chain. This brings us close to the status of a 'free port' and creates a virtual free trade zone.
If you have any questions or you would like more information about Trade Facilitation in North Sea Port, please contact us.
Border Control Posts
There are Border Control Posts (BCPs) on both the Dutch and Belgian sides of North Sea Port. After clearance into North Sea Port, goods can travel freely through the EU member states. See below where products of animal origin (from outside the EU) can be checked.
North Sea Port also offers an extensive professional network of hinterland connections, enabling goods to be transported onwards in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Contact authorities
For more information, please contact the competent authorities.
Brexit
North Sea Port supports companies affected by Brexit. For general information about Brexit, assistance or referral to direct contacts at the relevant agencies, please contact us.
Are you looking for more information resources for the Netherlands and Belgium? Then check out the full Brexit page with resources and contact addresses.
Data sharing
When importing and exporting goods, it is important to have the right formalities in place for terminals, data systems, customs and other authorities. It is also vital to know where the cargo is located and what journey a seagoing vessel is making and planning. To that end, North Sea Port cooperates with data sharing platforms in the Netherlands and Belgium that offer digital services to efficiently support these processes.
Multimodal port
North Sea Port is a logistical hub at the centre of Europe. The port's location in Western Europe and its infrastructure make it a true multimodal port. As a deep-sea port, North Sea Port lies in the Hamburg - Le Havre range, right at the heart of Western Europe and along the major North Sea-Rhine-Mediterranean and North Sea-Baltic corridors.
North Sea Port also lies at the junction of various European transport links. As a result, we receive ships from all across the globe and pass goods on to the rest of Europe – and beyond – via an extensive network of hinterland connections. More and more, North Sea Port is opting for transport by means of inland shipping, rail and pipeline. This modal shift is allowing us to both reduce congestion on saturated motorways and take responsibility for conserving the environment.