Fee organic consignments

Questions and answers

• Fees

  What fees will be introduced for import controls on organic consignments?

  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.  

• Fees

  How has the ministry publicised its decision that Skal should start charging for import controls?

  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. 

• Fees

  How are these fees calculated?

  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). 

• Fees

  Why are fees being charged for import controls on organic consignments?

  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.

• Fees

  Why is Skal charging these fees?

  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.

• Fees

  Who will these fees be invoiced to by Skal?

  Skal will send the invoices of the import fees to the importer as mentioned in Box 12 of the COI, because the Importer is the only unvarying party that bears the responsibility of the COI.

• Fees

  When will the fees take effect?

  Skal will begin charging import control fees as of 1 April 2026.

• Fees

  When will Skal start sending invoices for these fees?

  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.

• Fees

  Will Skal send an invoice for each COI?

  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.