Online Shopping

Online shops (webwinkels) are popular in the Netherlands. The comforts of shopping from your armchair and home delivery as well as good consumer protection laws make it a logical choice for many. You can source most products online, from computer equipment, to furniture, to take away food. One national supermarket chain, Albert Heijn , have an online shopping service which promises to deliver to your kitchen. Their registration process is simple, and part of their web site is in English.

There are several ways to pay for goods ordered over the internet: credit card, using iDEAL, the online payment system via your Netherlands bank account, cash on delivery (rebours), Paypal, or payment using an Acceptgiro once you receive the goods.

It is usual for a delivery fee to be charged and many online shopping sites have the facility to bill to one address and ship to another. Most sites will also advise what shipping method is being used, i.e. courier or post, and the option to track and trace your package.

If ordering something from outside of the Netherlands, you will be liable to customs duties unless the item is under eur 22. There are also some goods that cannot be imported because they are forbidden or they require an import licence. Full details can be obtained in English on the Netherlands tax and customs website: www.douane.nl/english/internetpurchases

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