The export of strategic goods is subject to control. Strategic goods are military goods and so-called "dual-use" items, the latter being items that may have both civilian and military use. Security objectives and international agreements on strategic goods require measures prohibiting by law the export of most of such goods without a license. In some cases the import (of certain chemical substances), transit and brokering (of military goods) are also subject to control.

In this section of the website information is provided on the Dutch export policy concerning strategic goods. Most of this can be found in an informal translation in English of the Manual on Strategic Goods. It gives an overview of laws and regulations guiding the export, and in some cases the import, transit, and brokering of strategic goods. The section on transparency provides English translations of the Annual Reports on the Dutch arms export policy. These reports not only describe the policy developments, but also include statistics on the licenses issued.  The section on the Chemical Weapons Convention explains this separate regime.
Should this English language section not answer the questions you might have on the Dutch export control policy and its procedures, then please explore the Dutch language section of this website or contact the Licensing Office "Belastingdienst/Douane Noord/cdiu".

Military Goods

Since the Netherlands control list for military goods is in fact the Dutch language version of the Common Military List of the European Union, this webpage offers a link to the site of the Council of the European Union where the list can be consulted in English.

Dual Use Items

The Netherlands control list for dual use items can be found in Annexes of Regulation (EC) no. 1334/2000 as most recently amended by Regulation (EC) no. 1183/2007 of 18 September 2007. For consultation of the dual use list, this page offers a link to the webpage of the European Commission where the regulation is published in English.

Chemical Weapons Convention

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a unique multilateral disarmament agreement with the aim to reduce the threat of chemical weapons. The CWC strives for destruction of existing chemical weapons stockpiles and prohibits activities like development, production, possession, storage, transfer and use of chemical weapons and their precursors.

More information can be found on the separate section on the Chemical Weapons Convention of this website. Complete details about the Scheduled Chemicals can be found through the link to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on this webpage. Look for the section "The CW Convention"/ "Annex on Chemicals".

Sanctions and Embargoes

Internationally established - United Nations, European Union, or OSCE - sanctions and embargoes may include restrictions on the trade in certain goods, restrictions on financial activities, and visa restrictions for certain people and companies. The Netherlands implements all the sanctions and restrictive measures taken by the Council of European Union. For further information this webpage has a link to the European Commission's web site where these measures can be consulted in English.