The Netherlands is internationally renowned for the effective cooperation between industry and customs. In order to maintain and further strengthen this advantage, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Maastricht Aachen Airport, Douane Schiphol Cargo, Douane Eindhoven and Air Cargo Netherlands conducted a joint research survey in August and September on the experience of customs processes at both airports.
The logistics sector was asked to fill out an online survey via targeted communication channels. The responses were valuable: Around 50 professionals responded.
The results are encouraging. Two-thirds of respondents rated the customs process as good to very good. More than half found that the Netherlands performs better than other European airports. Respondents described the processes as efficient and praised customs for its reliability and professionalism. Dutch customs stand out for its market-oriented approach and close cooperation with the sector.
At the same time, the study offers concrete points for improvement. Air freight is a time-sensitive sector. And some companies experience bottlenecks in the processes. Customs and logistics companies are busy discussing this issue. It also appears that continued investment in knowledge and experience – both at customs and among logistics parties – is essential to guarantee the quality of the processes.
The insights from the study form a valuable basis for further optimalisation of the customs process. Customs and logistics partners will continue to work closely together on this, with respect for legislation, regulations and everyone’s responsibilities. Together, we are taking steps towards concrete improvement initiatives that contribute to an efficient, reliable, and future-proof air freight chain.
