From the UK & Europe

Seafood Trading Through the Netherlands: The European Hub

Updated: 18 August 2026 Holdwise editorial team Seafood Trading Nordic

Norwegian salmon and Nordic whitefish are sold across Europe, and most of it is traded through the Netherlands. With a Dutch trading BV, a Nordic supplier has direct access to this trade. Rotterdam has the capacity for refrigerated containers, and Urk has a processing cluster. Schiphol handles fresh goods by air. The Dutch VAT rules are made for goods that cross borders quickly. At Holdwise, we keep this answer up to date and change it when the rules change.

Why seafood is traded through the Netherlands

Dutch companies process, repack and distribute seafood for the whole continent. They work from the whitefish cluster in Urk and the cold-chain terminals in Rotterdam. They deliver to Germany, France and the Benelux on the same day. With a Dutch BV, a Nordic exporter works directly inside this network of buyers. You have more control than with a simple shipping arrangement. See the basics of a trading BV.

VAT rules for fresh products

In the seafood trade, a fast delivery means a better margin. Under the Dutch import rules, a border crossing is a quick step on paper. With the article 23 deferment, you declare the import VAT in your periodic return and deduct it in the same return. You pay zero VAT upfront at customs, so you keep more cash to buy fish. See the VAT hub explained and the licence itself.

What the BV does

The BV signs the contracts with buyers and keeps the certification files. It manages the relations with banks for trade finance (see the bank onboarding steps). It also takes ownership of goods while they are in transit. The Nordic parent keeps production, and the Dutch company handles the market side. See the group structure.

Compare the Netherlands with Ireland and Germany on tax, substance, running costs and time. See setting up a Dutch subsidiary for a foreign parent company.

Setting it up

You can set up the company remotely, usually within one week once all documents are complete (see the process). The licence and the registrations typically follow in the first month. The first shipments are usually cleared within the quarter. Fresh goods need this fast timeline.

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Part of Doing Business in the Netherlands, the complete 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

Does the BV help with EU food-safety compliance? +

Yes, directly. As an operator established in the EU, the BV manages the registrations, the health certificates and the buyer audits in one recognised company. Buyers ask for exactly this compliance file.

Where does processing work best: Nordic origin or added in the Netherlands? +

Both options work. You can do the first processing in the country of origin, and repack and distribute in the Netherlands. You can also do the full processing in the Urk cluster for continental customers. The BV can work with either model. Usually, you choose based on the volume.

How are profits paid to the Nordic owners? +

Under the EU rules and the tax treaties with the Nordic countries. If the group has a Dutch holding, the holding receives the profit at 0%. See how a holding works.

Sources Belastingdienst · KVK · wetten.overheid.nl Last updated: 18 August 2026