The Netherlands is one of the main import/export locations in Europe. With its exceptional infrastructure and major ports, such as those in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, this country is a great place to set up a trading business. Those companies who engage in international trade will have easy access to Europe and the rest of the world because of the Netherlands’ particular geographical and infrastructural advantages.

Trading companies in the Netherlands

Trading companies engage in a wide variety of business activities, including but not limited to importing and exporting; wholesaling; buying and selling; the intermediary sale or purchase of goods; and assisting and counselling other companies in sourcing their supplies.

Dutch trading companies do not have to limit themselves to importing or exporting just one type of item. They can easily diversify their business to suit market conditions anywhere in the world. Trading companies can also specialize in a specific type of product if they desire. Anything from food products to health and beauty items can be traded from a base in the Netherlands.

Trading companies in the Netherlands can also set up their offices in whichever Dutch location they feel would be best for them. They can take advantage of the opportunities in larger cities, like Amsterdam or The Hague. Or, they can set up a shop in one the Netherlands’ smaller cities. All locations will benefit from the same transportation and communication infrastructure that make the Netherlands such a great place to do business.

Setting up a trading company in the Netherlands

An investor who wants to set up a Dutch trading company can either open a branch of an existing international company or create a new legal business entity based in the Netherlands. Opening a branch is easier, but it does not offer as much flexibility as creating a new entity. In terms of potential liability, forming a Netherlands company is also a better option.

Like many other types of businesses, trading companies must also acquire special permits and license in order to operate legally in the Netherlands. There are also rules and regulations regarding the import and export of controlled goods that have been imposed by the Dutch government and must be followed carefully. We can assist you in acquiring all necessary licenses and permits so that your trading company can operate legally. We can also advise you about laws that may affect the types of goods you wish to trade and distribute, and tell you what you must do to follow them.

Our agents in the Netherlands can walk you through the entire process of forming a Dutch trading company. We can assist you in choosing a company name, preparing the necessary documents to form a company, and registering the new business with the Dutch Company Register.

Please contact our Dutch agents to find out how to open a trading company in the Netherlands. We are also happy to discuss with you general details about investments in the Netherlands.

The Dutch company register

Every company that does business in the Netherlands is listed on the Dutch Company Register, also known as ”Chamber of Commerce”, ”Dutch Trade Register” and ”Dutch Business Register”. The available information for each company includes the name and address of the business, telephone number, the number of employees, and details about the company’s representatives. You can also find out financial background such as any bankruptcies that may have occurred in the history of the company. Most of the information found on the Chamber of Commerce is free of charge, yet, financial statements, documents that have been filed on behalf of the company, history of the company, and corporate relationships are among the extras that can be purchased.

How to register in the Dutch trade register

The process of becoming registered can be fairly simple with the help of Intercompany Solutions. You must have the deed of incorporation, shareholder’s details, details about the company’s managers, bank references about the deposited share capital, and authorization for Intercompany Solutions to act on your behalf. Once all of this information is gathered and submitted you will be issued an access code. Only people with access codes are able to view the information contained in the Netherlands Trade Registry.

Before you can be registered with the Dutch Company Registry, however, you must complete the necessary forms to obtain approval for your company name. This will ensure that you are legally allowed the rights to the company name you wish to do business under. Intercompany Solutions can also help you submit your company name to the Dutch Company Registry for approval. Intercompany Solutions can assist you with registering at the Dutch trade register. Most commonly for a Dutch company registration would be a B.V. company, a BV needs to be registered at a Dutch Notary. The registration in the Chamber of Commerce finalizes the process of your Dutch business registration.

Netherlands company register online

Whether you are a natural-born citizen or a citizen of another country that is looking to open a business, the Netherlands can suit you well. Due to the bilingual capabilities of most residents, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce is also set up with a bilingual website. English and Dutch versions of the site are available to create ease of use by people even beyond the borders of the Netherlands. This adds to the user-friendly website that makes information easily accessible in both languages. Another key feature to the website is the ease of payment for any additional information you may want to obtain. Online payment is available by using your credit card or iDeal and you can also choose to use direct debit from your bank account.

Dutch Business Register Services

Intercompany Solutions can help with every step in the process of setting up your new business. We can help you with applying for local banking, company establishment, and local representative services if you are working out of the country. Once your business is up and running we can also be of service when it comes to bookkeeping and taxation. Leaving the heavy lifting up to us allows you to focus on the more important aspects of the business. Our full-service package consists of:

• Opening a Dutch BV company (1-2 working days)
• Opening a Dutch Company Bank account
• Assisting services in the first year
• Obtaining VAT number

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