Israelis planning to fly to the Netherlands in the coming period should expect the possibility of lengthy customs inspections upon arrival. The Foreign Ministry is issuing a travel warning following reports in recent days of intensive luggage checks for passengers arriving in the Netherlands on flights from Israel.
1+The Foreign Ministry warns that travelers may encounter lengthy and even “offensive” luggage inspections, stemming from a new order that took effect in the Netherlands on September 22. The order includes restrictions on bringing in goods originating from Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.
According to the Foreign Ministry, violating the order’s provisions is defined as a criminal offense and could result in fines and even imprisonment. This means that even products found in passengers’ personal luggage could become relevant in the event of a customs inspection, depending on their origin and the order’s provisions.
The restrictions don’t only apply to bringing goods into the country. The order also includes a ban on commercial activities related to the goods it covers, including import, purchase, sale, and brokerage.
The Foreign Ministry recommends that Israelis planning to fly to the Netherlands familiarize themselves in advance with the new provisions and prepare for the possibility of lengthy customs inspections upon arrival. Travelers are advised to pay particular attention to the products they’re carrying with them and their origin, to avoid a situation where a product found in their luggage leads to a delay or additional inspection.
1+The order took effect on September 22, making these relatively new guidelines for passengers arriving in the Netherlands. At this stage, the Foreign Ministry’s warning focuses on the possibility of lengthy customs inspections following the order’s provisions and reports received about how the inspections are being conducted.