As of 1 April 2026
the costs of import controls carried out by Skal Biocontrole on consignments entering the Netherlands from outside the European Union will be passed on to importers. Previously, these costs were covered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.
On 26 September 2026 , the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature informed Dutch and foreign importers about the decision to impose fees via a letter.
Why has the Ministry asked Skal to impose these fees?
The import control system has been reorganised, so that it better aligns with European rules. As a result, the Dutch government can no longer automatically cover the cost of import controls from 2026 onwards. From that point on, costs will be charged to the operators who the controls benefit, as is already the case for other import controls. The controls enable the products to be legally sold as organic within the EU.
Determining fees for import controls on organic consignments
As an importer, the fees you will pay for import controls consist of several components. First, there is a system maintenance fee, which is a fixed annual charge to support the operation of the control system. You will also pay a fee for each Certificate of Inspection (COI) issued. If a COI is processed outside regular office hours, a surcharge will apply.
Questions and answers
In the overview below, we provide answers to questions you may have. If your question is not listed or if something is not entirely clear, please contact our Import Helpdesk staff on +31-38-426 81 65 or at import@skal.nl. The helpdesk is open on weekdays from 07.00 to 18.00 (Central European Time).
The amount importers will pay is made up of different components. First, there is a system maintenance fee. This is a fixed amount payable per year. You will also pay a fee per certificate of inspection (COI). A surcharge will apply for COIs processed outside regular office hours.
The amount importers will pay is made up of different components. First, there is a system maintenance fee. This is a fixed amount payable fee. You will also pay a fee per certificate of inspection (COI).
Between 2022 and 2025 the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature covered the cost of import controls on organic consignments. This was necessary because the control system was not yet fully compliant with EU rules. The system has now been reorganised and complies with these EU rules. As a result, the Dutch government will no longer automatically cover the cost of import controls from 2026 onwards. From that point on, costs will be charged to the operators who the controls benefit. The controls enable the products in question to be legally sold as organic within the EU.
In the Netherlands, import controls on organic consignments are performed by Skal. Because Skal incurs costs doing this, it makes sense for Skal to charge these costs to importers by invoicing them.
After 1 April 2026 Skal will send importers an invoice at the end of each calendar month for the COI checks carried out in the preceding month. The invoiced amount covers the costs incurred by Skal for controlling organic consignments being imported into the Netherlands from outside the European Union. Read more about the control fees.
No. After 1 April 2026 Skal will send you an invoice at the end of each calendar month for the COI checks carried out in the preceding month. If you did not import any organic products in that month, you will not receive an invoice.
In order to invoice importers for COI controls, Skal will need extra information. Skal will store this information in a special register set up for this purpose. Importers will receive more information about this later in the year.
Importers whose registered office is not in the Netherlands should inform Skal that they wish to be registered for import controls. After they have been registered, Skal will invoice them monthly based on the number of COI verifications performed. Read about the registration.
On 22 September 2026, the Ministry informed the Dutch House of Representativees about the decision to impose fees via a letter. The Ministry has send all domestic and foreign importers a letter informing them of this decision. The ministry has also informed sector parties, trade associations and companies that provide logistics services to foreign importers, and asked them to check whether their members and customers are aware of this decision.
Bezoekadres
Skal Biocontrole
Dr. Klinkertweg 28a
8025 BS Zwolle
