Warehousing and fulfilment is an essential part of many businesses in the Netherlands. A company that wants to succeed in e-commerce, import and export etc. must have a good warehousing and fulfilment solution in place. The Netherlands is a great destination for companies looking for a warehousing or fulfilment solution. Read this guide to find out more about the costs of fulfilment, how it typically works, what you should be aware of and some practical tips on finding the most suitable fulfilment or warehousing solution for your business.
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Why the Netherlands is attractive to base your warehouse or fulfilment centre
The Netherlands is a great country to locate your warehousing and fulfilment solution. It has an excellent infrastructure, with good roads, waterways and rail links. There are also many warehousing and fulfilment businesses present in the Netherlands, so you can be sure of finding a suitable solution. In this guide, we will discuss why the Netherlands is a great destination for warehousing and fulfilment, and provide some tips on where to rent a warehouse. We will also look at how much warehousing and fulfilment costs in the Netherlands, and what you should think about when looking for a warehouse.
The Netherlands is also a very central location in Europe, which makes it easy to distribute goods throughout the continent. The country has two major ports – Schiphol and Rotterdam – which are both excellent hubs for distribution. Schiphol is also one of the largest airports in Europe, which makes it easy to transport goods internationally.
Read many more reasons why the Netherlands is a preferred destination for many e-commerce and trading companies.
There are over 150M people living within a 500km radius around the Netherlands
Digital Infrastructure: Data Centers in the Netherlands
Beyond physical warehousing, the Netherlands serves as Europe’s digital infrastructure hub. Amsterdam is home to AMS-IX, Europe’s largest internet exchange, making it the internet center of Europe. The Amsterdam region uniquely functions as both a colocation hub and hyperscale cluster – major tech companies like Google (Eemshaven data center) and Microsoft (Middenmeer) have chosen the Netherlands for the same reasons that make it attractive for warehousing: strategic European location, reliable power infrastructure, and abundant green energy from wind and solar.
For businesses expanding to Europe, the Netherlands offers integrated physical and digital infrastructure in a single location. This is particularly valuable if you’re running e-commerce operations requiring both fulfilment centers and cloud services, or combining IoT hardware distribution with data processing capabilities. The same central European location and connectivity that puts 150 million consumers within 500km of Dutch warehouses also makes it ideal for low-latency data services across the continent.
What to think about when choosing warehousing in the Netherlands?
There are a few things that you should think about when choosing warehousing in the Netherlands. Firstly, you need to consider the location of the warehouse. The Netherlands is a very central location in Europe, which makes it easy to distribute goods throughout the continent. However, you will need to consider whether you want to be located near a port or airport. If you are distributing goods internationally, then being located near an airport will be beneficial. Many fulfilment centres are located close to the Belgian and German border. This can also be an interesting option if you are processing orders from that part of Europe (and further East).
You should also think about what type of warehousing you need. There are many different types of warehouses in the Netherlands, so you will need to decide what type of facility is best for your needs. If you are storing large quantities of goods, then you will need a larger warehouse. However, if you only require basic storage, then a smaller warehouse will suffice.
Finally, you need to consider the cost of warehousing in the Netherlands. The cost of warehousing and fulfilment in the Netherlands is generally very reasonable, especially when compared to other countries in Europe. However, it is important to get quotes from multiple providers so that you can compare prices. You should also consider other costs, such as transport and labour, when making your decision.
When looking for warehousing or fulfilment in the Netherlands, you should consider all of these factors before making a decision. By doing so, you can be sure that you find the best solution for your needs.
Warehousing and Fulfilment Costs in the Netherlands
Warehousing and fulfilment costs in the Netherlands are structured around several key components. Long-term pallet storage typically costs between €7-10 per pallet monthly, while short-term storage ranges from €1.75-4.50 per week. Handling costs average €2.00-3.75 per pallet for both inbound and outbound operations. For fulfilment services, companies typically charge €1.75 base fee per order plus €1.90-2.00 per additional order line. Shipping costs vary by destination: €5.99-7.50 for domestic parcels, €7.32-9.27 for Belgium, and €7.91-26.40 for Germany, depending on weight. Most providers offer volume discounts, with rates decreasing significantly for companies shipping over 2,000 parcels monthly compared to those shipping 500. Many warehouses also provide optional services such as WMS integration and customs clearance at additional cost. When selecting a provider, it’s advisable to compare multiple quotes and consider both all-in package prices and itemized cost structures to find the most cost-effective solution for your specific needs.
| Service | Cost Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term pallet storage | €7 – €10 | Per pallet/month |
| Short-term pallet storage | €1.75 – €4.50 | Per pallet/week |
| Inbound/Outbound handling | €2.00 – €3.75 | Per pallet |
| Order processing base fee | €1.75 | Per order |
| Additional order line | €1.90 – €2.00 | Per line |
| Domestic shipping (NL) | €5.99 – €7.50 | Per parcel |
Example cost calculations for two different business scales:
Small E-commerce Business:
Monthly volume: 500 orders
- Storage: 20 pallets x €8.50 = €170
- Inbound handling (one delivery): 20 pallets x €2.50 = €50
- Order processing: 500 orders x €1.75 = €875
- Additional order lines (avg. 1 extra per order): 500 x €1.90 = €950
- Shipping (domestic): 500 x €6.50 = €3,250
- Total monthly cost: €5,295 (€10.59 per order)
Medium E-commerce Business:
Monthly volume: 2,000 orders
- Storage: 80 pallets x €7.50 = €600
- Inbound handling (two deliveries): 80 pallets x €2.25 = €180
- Order processing: 2,000 orders x €1.65 = €3,300
- Additional order lines (avg. 1 extra per order): 2,000 x €1.80 = €3,600
- Shipping (domestic): 2,000 x €6.00 = €12,000
- Total monthly cost: €19,680 (€9.84 per order)
Note: These examples demonstrate how costs per order typically decrease with higher volumes due to bulk discounts and more efficient operations. Actual costs may vary based on specific requirements, contract terms, and service provider. Always request multiple quotes. We can help you with that.
When do I need fulfilment?
You may need a fulfilment solution if you are experiencing that you are:
- running out of space to store your inventory.
- having trouble keeping up with demand from customers.
- losing sales because you do not have enough stock to meet demand.
- experiencing delays in getting products to customers.
- struggling to meet delivery deadlines.
If you are experiencing any of these problems, then you should consider warehousing and fulfilment services. By outsourcing these services, you can free up space in your own facilities, ensure that you have enough stock to meet customer demand, and improve your delivery times.
The Benelux Gateway: EU Compliance for Food Supplements
“A non-EU brand (US/Canada/UK) wants to sell vitamin gummies across the EU using the One-Stop Shop (OSS). They plan to hub their operations in the Netherlands or Belgium. What are the legal requirements?”
The Requirement: GPSR & The “Responsible Person”
Under the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), every food supplement sold in the EU must have a Responsible Person based within the Union. As a non-EU resident, you cannot fulfill this role yourself, even if you own a local BV or SRL.By using a Dutch BV as your import hub, you can apply for an Article 23 license. This allows you to defer the 21% import VAT, meaning you don’t pay it at the border. However, you must appoint a local legal representative to satisfy customs and safety authorities.
To use the OSS (One-Stop Shop) to sell to customers in Germany, France, or Italy, a non-EU entrepreneur must appoint an EU-based Intermediary. This intermediary is jointly liable for the VAT filings, making it a critical professional appointment.
Your EU-based 3PL (Fulfillment Provider) or a specialized service provider can often act as your legal representative. Their name and EU address must appear on your product labels to pass through customs in Rotterdam or Antwerp.
VAT considerations for non-Dutch businesses using Dutch warehousing
If you’re a non-EU business planning to use Dutch warehousing and fulfilment services, you need to understand the VAT registration requirements before you start operations.
Article 23 VAT registration for import deferral When you import goods into the Netherlands, you normally pay VAT at customs immediately. However, if you register for VAT under Article 23, you can defer this VAT payment and handle it through your regular VAT returns instead. This significantly improves your cash flow.
Fiscal representation requirement To register for Article 23 VAT deferral, non-EU businesses must appoint a fiscal representative in the Netherlands. This is an alternative to setting up a new entity from scratch. This representative:
- Acts as jointly liable for your VAT obligations
- Handles your VAT compliance with Dutch tax authorities
- Is separate from your fulfilment partner (they handle logistics, not VAT)
Get clarity before you start Understanding these requirements before signing a warehouse contract prevents compliance issues and unexpected costs. We recommend reading:
- Our detailed guide on Article 23 VAT registration and deferral
- Fiscal representation versus BV entity setup in the Netherlands
🇬🇧 UK-NL: Centralized Inventory or Multi-Country Operations?
Are you a UK enterprise considering a warehouse in the Netherlands while maintaining an office in another country (like Germany)? From a VAT perspective, this is rarely the optimal choice.
Why centralization in the Netherlands pays off:
Keeping both your Dutch BV and your inventory (3PL) in the Netherlands ensures your operations fall under a single VAT regime. Spreading them across two EU countries triggers:
- Dual VAT Registration: You must register and file returns in both countries, doubling your compliance costs.
- Intra-Community Complexity: Moving your own stock between a Dutch warehouse and a German office triggers complex reporting requirements.
- Cash-Flow Loss: Only a Dutch entity with local storage can fully utilize the Article 23 License, which allows you to import goods without paying 21% VAT upfront at the border.
→ Contact us to model your specific UK-to-EU logistics setup
Where do I find a suitable warehouse or storage in the Netherlands?
At Fundainbusiness.nl, you can find a lot of useful information about warehousing and fulfilment in the Netherlands. This website can help you find the right warehouse or fulfilment centre for your needs. You can also learn about the cost of warehousing and fulfilment in the Netherlands, and how to choose the right provider.
Where do I find fulfilment centers in the Netherlands?
There are hundreds of fulfilment centers in the Netherlands so how do you go about picking one?
A few services stand out. One of the better ones is this website, where you can post a request for finding a fulfilment partner after which several fulfilment businesses will reach out to you for additional information or an offer. Make sure to set the page to English with Google translate.
We can help you find a suitable warehouse. Please contact us and we will get you several offers, free of charge. Fill out the form below to get in touch.
Fulfilment outsourcing checklist
A certain software link turns out not to be possible, the cut-off time did not apply to pallets, there are more costs charged for inbound than expected, shipments outside the EU are not possible, etc. To avoid surprises, we have drawn up this checklist. Our urgent advice is to go through this complete list with the fulfilment company. This way you can be 100% sure that there are no uncertainties. These are questions that need to be answered by both the company itself and the fulfilment company. Sometimes things seem trivial but that makes it all the more important to discuss them. Make sure you can be 100% sure to put a tick behind every question so that it is answered.
- Does the fulfilment centre charge an all-in price for shipping? Is there a separate price for packing and shipping, or is this one price?
- What sizes can the fulfilment company ship? Sometimes certain dimensions fall outside of what a fulfilment company does as standard.
- Up to what weight can the fulfilment centre send? Usually this is 20 or 30kg. Are heavier shipments possible with a surcharge?
- Which transport companies do you work with? Usually PostNL or DHL, but sometimes the company also has its own distribution.
- Could another transport company (perhaps on its own contract) come along? Most large transport companies can deliver throughout the Netherlands. The fact that a fulfilment centre works with PostNL as standard does not mean that they cannot also print a label for DHL.
- Can letterbox packages also be sent? Some companies do not, although this can make a considerable difference to the costs.
- Should and can pallets also be sent? And who supplies the pallets? Are half or quarter pallets also an option?
- What are the rates for sending
- Parcels in various sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL)
- Letterbox packages
- Pallets
- What are the rates per quantity of orders per month? It often gets cheaper when there are more orders per month.
- Are there extra costs if more items are packed per box? Sometimes companies charge a small amount per item per order.
- Who arranges the packaging materials? Such as boxes and padding material. And are there extra costs if this is done by the fulfilment centre?
- Is it possible to include a paper packing slip with the shipment? And are there extra costs involved?
- Is it possible to customise the label and the packing note? With your company’s logo and contact information.
- Should the shipment also be sent outside the Netherlands? If so, which countries? Please check all countries and their rates.
- Is the shipment to be sent outside the EU? And who will arrange the export documents? This is often forgotten, but also for a parcel to Switzerland, this has to be arranged.
- What are the rates per package size per country to which the shipment is made? Also take into account future growth. Perhaps you will want to take your company across the border one day.
- What are the storage costs
- Per shelf rack (ask for the dimensions)
- Per pallet location
- What are the storage costs? These are the costs when new goods come in
- Per shipment
- Per item
- What is the cut-off time? This is the time that you can still deliver an order to be processed the same day.
- Are there extra costs for a later cut-off time?
- Can returns be processed by the fulfilment centre?
- What are the shipping costs for returns?
- What are the costs for processing returns?
- What does the returns process look like? For example, is a certain (quality) control possible?
- Are all software links possible for order entry?
- With the web shop
- With the software system
- Are all software links possible for stock management?
- With the web shop
- With the software system
- Are there any costs associated with the software interfaces?
- Do all products have to be provided with an EAN code? This stands for European Article Number. This is a requirement for some fulfilment centres.
- Are there other requirements for the delivery of the products?
- Must and can ADR hazardous goods be sent? For example, lithium batteries, paint or flammable substances.
- Can customers also collect orders?
- Are there any start-up costs?
- Are there other fixed costs?
Negotiate the terms and conditions with a warehousing partner
Make sure you negotiate the right prices, terms and conditions with your new warehousing partner. First and foremost, have clear agreements and expectations about what is and what is not included.
First of all, if you are renting property there should be a commercial lease agreement on paper. Usually the landlord provides this, but if you want to take the initiative, you can also provide it yourself.
Secondly, you should have the specific agreements with your fulfilment/storage partner on paper. The assignment you are giving this company, should be captured in an assignment agreement (also called contractor agreement).
Third, make sure to have your (e-commerce) terms and conditions and your GDPR files in order.
