Consumer9/28/2026

The Netherlands Banned the Import, Purchase, and Sale of Products from the Settlements

A ban on the import, purchase, and sale of products from Israeli settlements beyond the “Green Line” and from the Golan Heights took effect in the Netherlands on September 22. According to Globes, violating the ban was defined as a criminal offense and may result in a heavy fine and imprisonment for a period of one to six years.

Key facts

•Effective date: September 22
•Publication of the order: July
•Penalty: imprisonment for one to six years
•Heavy fines may be imposed
•Legal basis: the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice
•Services were excluded from the ban

What Exactly Was Banned

The restrictions apply not only to organized imports, but also to the purchase and sale of the relevant products. The ban may also apply to products only part of which originates in the territories in question. Services were excluded from the scope of the new rules.

Enforcement Also Applies to Travelers

The Dutch Customs Authority warned that criminal liability may apply even to a gift or a product for personal consumption. Information signs were posted at Schiphol Airport; media outlets also reported special inspections of the luggage of Israelis arriving in the country. Several stores and websites selling kosher products have already begun removing certain products from their selections.

The Legal Basis and Adoption of the Measures

The measures were adopted by government order without debate in parliament, published in the official journal in July, and took effect on September 22. The explanatory notes repeatedly mention the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice concerning the illegality of the Israeli occupation of the territories. Globes does not state the official name of this legislation.

Possible Implications for Israel

Exports from the settlements to Europe account for less than 1% of all Israeli exports, but the Netherlands is one of Israel’s largest trading partners in the European Union, partly due to the Port of Rotterdam. Uncertainty regarding the origin of components may cause importers to avoid other Israeli products as well. The affected categories included wine, dates, olives, and tahini.

What this means for you

Travelers arriving in the Netherlands should bear in mind that, according to the source report, the ban applies even to gifts and purchases for personal consumption. For sellers and importers, the origin of individual components has become material, not only the origin of the finished product. The source does not specify the amount of the fines or how the particular term of imprisonment is determined.

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