Importers to pay for organic product inspections

From 1 April 2026, an important change will take effect for companies importing organic products. Up to now, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) has covered the cost of inspections. Soon, however, that bill will land directly with the importers. Skal Biocontrole will carry out the inspections and invoice the companies.

Rates to be announced this autumn

At the end of September, importers received a letter from the ministry. The message was clear: the costs will be passed on. Exactly how high those costs will be is not yet known. This autumn Skal will set the rates and publish them on its website. Only then will companies know where they stand. Once the amounts are finalised, importers will also receive additional information.

European rules as the basis

The change is linked to a reorganisation of the inspection system. That system now largely complies with European rules. According to the ministry, it is therefore no longer self-evident that the government should continue to bear these costs. “De kosten worden voortaan toegerekend aan de bedrijven die van de controles profiteren,” the explanation states. Without these inspections, products simply cannot be sold as organic within the EU.

Applies to every shipment

The new rates will apply to all importers and to every shipment requiring a Certificate of Inspection (COI). Whether it involves a small consignment or a full container, the rule applies. For companies bringing organic products into the Netherlands from outside the EU, this means unavoidable extra costs.

Skal.nl