31.10.2012 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>Do<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Bus<strong>in</strong>ess</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands <strong>2012</strong><br />

under Customs Control - PCC). This arrangement can, for <strong>in</strong>stance,<br />

be beneficial to <strong>the</strong> pharmaceutical <strong>in</strong>dustry, where base materials, on<br />

<strong>the</strong> one hand, are subject to a relatively high import duty rate. The<br />

processed goods, on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, are generally subject to a zero<br />

rate. Us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Outward Process<strong>in</strong>g Relief (OPR), it is possible to<br />

have products from free circulation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU undergo process<strong>in</strong>g or<br />

treatment <strong>in</strong> third countries and re-import <strong>the</strong>se processed goods <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

EU with a full or partial relief <strong>of</strong> import duties.<br />

20.1 Customs Value and Applicable Customs Rate<br />

Import duties are calculated based on <strong>the</strong> customs value <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> goods<br />

multiplied with <strong>the</strong> applicable tariff rate. The applicable tariff rate<br />

depends on <strong>the</strong> customs classification and <strong>the</strong> (preferential) orig<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> goods.<br />

In order to determ<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong> customs value <strong>of</strong> goods imported <strong>in</strong>to free<br />

circulation, several methods can be used, which have to be applied <strong>in</strong><br />

sequential order. This means that one is allowed to use only a<br />

subsequent customs valuation method if <strong>the</strong> previous method cannot<br />

be applied. The first and most common valuation method is <strong>the</strong><br />

transaction value <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> goods. In this respect, <strong>the</strong> transaction value is<br />

def<strong>in</strong>ed as <strong>the</strong> price actually paid or payable for <strong>the</strong> goods when sold<br />

for export to <strong>the</strong> customs territory <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU. It is noted that certa<strong>in</strong><br />

additions or deductions to <strong>the</strong> customs value used may have to be<br />

made depend<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>the</strong> circumstances <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> case at hand. At this<br />

po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong> time, Dutch customs does currently allow <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> “first<br />

sale for export” as basis for <strong>the</strong> customs value. This means that an<br />

earlier transaction <strong>in</strong> a cha<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> transaction can be used, usually<br />

result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a lower taxable base. It should be noted that <strong>the</strong> first sale<br />

may be abolished with <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>troduction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Modernized Customs<br />

Code well after 2013. However, it is expected that even <strong>the</strong>n, it will<br />

still be possible to use such a transaction as <strong>the</strong> basis for <strong>the</strong> customs<br />

value, albeit that <strong>in</strong> that case <strong>the</strong> buyer <strong>in</strong> that transaction will have to<br />

act as importer <strong>of</strong> record. In general, for valuation purposes a rul<strong>in</strong>g<br />

can be obta<strong>in</strong>ed from <strong>the</strong> Dutch customs authorities. This rul<strong>in</strong>g is<br />

however valid only <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands.<br />

Baker & McKenzie 217

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!