You can import dehydrated onion and garlic from India into the Netherlands under EU food law, with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) responsible for food controls and Dutch Customs (Douane) clearing the goods. Shipments are usually stopped by ethylene oxide, pesticide residues above EU limits, salmonella, or documents that do not match the lot.
Because the Netherlands is an EU member, most rules are the same as in Germany or France. Our EU import guide covers the shared rules. This page covers what is particular to the Netherlands.
Who checks the goods
The importer is responsible for food safety. The NVWA carries out official controls on imported food at Dutch border control posts and later in the market. Douane handles customs clearance and the tariff.
Some products from some countries are listed under EU Regulation 2019/1793 for increased checks or special conditions. For listed goods, the importer must pre-notify the NVWA with a Common Health Entry Document (CHED-D) through the NVWA's systems, which link to the EU TRACES system. At the time of writing, check whether your commodity code and India appear on the current list. Dehydrated onion and garlic are not usually the focus, but the list is updated regularly. The NVWA also takes market samples, and findings are shared across the EU through the RASFF alert system, so a problem found in one country can trigger checks in others.
Tests that matter
Tests to order for spices going to the EU is a good base plan. Labels for products sold in the Netherlands must be in Dutch and follow EU labelling rules, with allergens in blends declared. Ask for reports from an accredited lab, as explained in which lab reports EU buyers accept.
- Pesticide residues against EU maximum residue levels. See pesticide residue testing for dehydrated onion.
- Ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol, which the EU does not allow on food. See ethylene oxide and EU rejections.
- Salmonella, total plate count, yeast and mould, and Enterobacteriaceae or E. coli as your customers require.
- Moisture, foreign matter and, for garlic, any limits your customer sets.
Documents
- Commercial invoice and packing list with matching lot numbers.
- Bill of lading.
- Certificate of origin. India's exports to the EU have used the EU's REX system of registered exporters for GSP statements on origin, where a preference applies.
- Lab reports for each lot, against EU limits.
- A phytosanitary or official certificate only if current EU rules for your product require it. See whether dehydrated vegetables need a phytosanitary certificate.
Duty and the India-EU agreement
Duty is found in the EU's TARIC database by commodity code, and Douane applies it. We do not quote rates. India and the EU announced the conclusion of free trade agreement negotiations in January 2026, but the agreement must be signed and ratified before it applies. At the time of writing, reports point to signing around the end of 2026 and entry into force in 2027, so check the status with Douane or the European Commission before you plan on preferential duty. How the India-UK and India-EU agreements affect duty gives background.
What the Dutch market buys
The Netherlands is both a consumer market and a trading hub. Dutch spice blenders and food manufacturers use onion and garlic powder and granules in seasonings, sauces, soups, snacks and processed meat, and traders re-export product to other EU countries. Many buyers want steam-treated, low-microbe powder for these uses. See whether steam sterilisation changes flavour.
Ports and route
Most containers from Mundra, Pipavav or Nhava Sheva arrive at Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe, often on direct services or after transhipment. Some arrive through Amsterdam or via Antwerp in Belgium. Transit time is several weeks and has been longer when ships route around the Cape of Good Hope instead of the Suez Canal. Check current routing with your forwarder. Goods entering free circulation in the Netherlands can then move to any EU country without further customs duty.
Cities
How Creston & Co helps
We find and audit processing plants, have every lot tested at an NABL-accredited lab against EU limits, supervise loading and check documents before sailing, for one written fee agreed in advance. You buy directly from the plant. See our dehydrated onion and dehydrated garlic pages, or book a free sourcing review.