Customs Administration of the NetherlandsGovernment

The Customs Administration of the Netherlands (Douane) is the executive agency under the Ministry of Finance tasked with monitoring cross-border trade flows. Its mandate includes levying and collecting customs duties and taxes, protecting the European Union's external borders, preventing illicit trafficking, and safeguarding international supply chains at major hubs like Rotterdam and Schiphol. Established formally in 1597 by the Staten-Generaal through convooien and licenten duties, it was reorganized into a centralized national customs corps in 1809 during the Kingdom of Holland.