Netherlands bans trade in goods from Israeli settlements

THE HAGUE, July 21, 2026 — A Dutch national trade ban covering goods from Israeli settlements deemed unlawful by the Netherlands took effect Tuesday, two months after the government published the sanctions measure in the official gazette.

The measure prohibits the import, direct or indirect purchase and sale of covered goods, as well as brokerage services connected with such trade. Activities intended to circumvent the restrictions are also banned. Dutch Customs said businesses or individuals that fail to comply may face prosecution.

The restrictions apply to goods wholly or partly obtained or produced in settlements identified through an EU postcode list. Importers may be required to provide documents showing that goods originating in Israel were not produced in the affected settlements, including certificates of origin, supplier declarations, invoices and production-location records.

The ban does not alter Dutch trade arrangements with Israel within the internationally recognized pre-1967 boundaries, according to Dutch Customs. Goods from the affected settlements may still transit through the Netherlands under specified customs procedures, provided they are not released onto the Dutch market.

The prohibition also applies to travelers carrying affected goods in personal luggage, including souvenirs, gifts and products for personal use, even where the goods were purchased before Sept. 22 but brought into the Netherlands after the ban took effect.

The Dutch government said the measure is intended to implement what it considers its international-law obligation not to contribute economically to the maintenance of unlawful settlements. The sanctions decision was submitted to the Council of State for expedited advice in May and was published July 21 without changes resulting from that review.

The Netherlands has separately maintained a policy since 2006 discouraging economic activities linked to Israeli settlements in occupied territories.