Doing Business in the Netherlands 2012 - American Chamber of ...

inter alia, that the contracting authority should always exercise a
proper level of transparency while procuring contracts.
10.3.7 Time limits
Time limits for the receipt of requests or tenders may be fixed by
contracting authorities, but may not be more restrictive than those
indicated in the EC Directives. If urgency renders the time limit
impracticable, these may be reduced.
10.4 Import and Export: Free Movement of Goods
Trade to and from the Netherlands (like trade to and from any other
EU Member State) is subject to the rules on the free movement of
goods. Articles 34 to 37 of the Treaty provide that all measures that
tend to restrict imports from or exports to other EU Member States are
prohibited. Such restrictions can be justified only in exceptional
cases, e.g., for reasons of public security, the protection of the health
and lives of human beings, animals or plants, or the protection of
industrial and commercial property.
The general rule is that any product that has been legally
manufactured and marketed in another EU Member State should be
allowed to circulate freely within the Netherlands and vice versa.
Articles 34 to 37 of the Treaty have a direct effect in the Netherlands
and can be invoked before Dutch courts. With regard to trade
between the Netherlands and other EU Member States, all customs
duties have been abolished.
The common EU customs tariff rate applies to trade between the
Netherlands and non-EU countries. In addition, the European
Commission’s import and export regulations for trade with non-EU
countries must be observed. Depending on the country of origin or
the destination of a product or the type of goods (e.g., dual-use or
strategic goods), import or export licenses may be required.
Additional controls exist for certain goods, such as livestock or
chemicals.
86 Baker & McKenzie