The Netherlands: your smooth entry into Europe
Thanks to its strategic location at the crossroads of major European trade routes, combined with world-class infrastructure, the Netherlands is the ideal location to set up your European supply chain.
You can benefit from a well-connected network of ports, airports, and roadways, as well as a highly skilled workforce and a business-friendly environment.
Central location within the European market
Top level European warehouse and storage locations
Home to excellent sea- and airport facilities
Close proximity to 250 million consumers
The Netherlands is an excellent choice for entering the European market. Located between Germany, France and the UK, you can reach close to 250 million consumers within 24 hours by road freight solutions.
The right logistics solutions at your fingertips
Discover more about European supply chain solutions and what the best set up is for your expasion plans across Europe
European mainports
The Netherlands is home to five international airports and five ports, often referred to as the country’s “mainports”. These include the Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport, both of which play an indispensable role in the global supply chain. The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe, handling approximately 440 million tons of cargo annually. It serves as the primary gateway for goods entering and leaving Europe, with extensive connections to over 1,000 ports worldwide.
Schiphol Amsterdam Airport is another key logistics hub, ranking among the top three airports in Europe in terms of cargo volume. It handles over 1.6 million tons of freight each year, connecting Europe to major markets in Asia, North America, and beyond.
The Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport, together with the other country ports and airports underscore the Netherlands’ position as a vital hub for international trade.
European transport and distribution
With a total of 85,000 miles of public roads, 1,750 miles of railway and 3,235 miles of waterways, the Netherlands is connected to the European hinterland by all modalities (road, rail, inland waterways and shortsea). Custommers throughout Europe can be reached in the most efficient way using the large number of transportation options that are available in the country. Over 500 miljon clients can be reached within 24 hours.
Compliance: customs, VAT and product safety
Another factor that played a role in making the Netherlands an attractive location for warehousing activities is related to the highly efficient and attractive regulations regarding the handling of VAT (Value Added Tax) and the highly efficient and pro-business attitude of the Netherlands’ authorities. It is more cost efficient to set up a tax compliant supply chain in the Netherlands compared to most of the other countries in the EU.
Value added logistics and value added services (VAL/VAS)
Logistics companies in The Netherlands offer a wide variety of VAL and VAS activities adding value to the product offerings of their clients. VAL includes activities like repacking, assembly, repairs and labeling, VAS includes services like fiscal representation, indirect customs representation, Authorised representation, custommer invoicing and customer services.
Interested in knowing more?
Interested in knowing more about the European supply chain? Then don’t hesitate, drop us a note and ne of our supply chain expert will come back to you.