Check a trade route
Start with what is already known. We separate the country route, the goods and the companies, then show what is established, what remains unknown and the next safe action.
South Korea imports from Netherlands across a customs border. An agreement is on record, but the preferential rate depends on the exact goods and proof of origin. Classify the goods and verify the supplier before relying on any number.
Can a buyer in South Korea import from Netherlands?
TR-KR-NL-DA3E1DBuyer in South Korea → Supplier in Netherlands · Goods not specifiedThird-country import into South Korea
Netherlands to South Korea crosses a customs border. A customs declaration is filed on entry and the importer needs a Customs-registered business number.
No country-level sanctions programme on record (EU)
No country-level programme of EU covers Netherlands or South Korea in our sanctions register (register entries reviewed between 2026-05-27 and 2026-10-14). EU binds the supplier itself: a seller established in Netherlands follows its own export-control and sanctions rules whatever the currency.
EU-Korea FTA covers this pair
The agreement is on record (in force since 2011-07). The preferential rate itself is a product question: it needs the exact HS code, the product schedule and proof of Netherlands origin.
Add the exact HS code · Obtain acceptable proof of origin from the supplier
Import VAT 10% in South Korea, Customs-registered business number required
South Korea charges import VAT of 10% on goods plus freight plus duty; the importer clears with a Customs-registered business number. Duty depends on the HS code and is not stated here.
Add the exact HS code for the duty rate
Goods not specified
Without the exact HS or CN code neither duty nor product rules can be established.
Add the exact HS or CN code · Describe the product
No supplier company selected
Country information cannot establish a supplier identity. Select the exact legal entity to screen it.
Select or establish the exact legal entity
Answer before detail
Country data cannot clear a transaction by itself. The boundary stays visible.
Established now
Still needed
Commercial invoice and packing list
Core shipment and valuation documents.
Transport document
Bill of lading, air waybill or road consignment note.
Customs declaration
Filed by the importer or a customs representative under the Customs-registered business number.
Proof of origin
Needed only when claiming the preferential rate.
Product compliance evidence
Depends on the product code and intended use.
Typical and mandatory are kept separate. Each requirement names the responsible party.
Korea Customs Service (UNI-PASS)
Observed Jul 21, 2026 · Import mechanics reviewed 2026-07-21
United Nations Security Council, sanctions information
Observed Aug 27, 2026 · Current official programme index
European Commission, EU Sanctions Map
Observed Aug 27, 2026 · Current official programme index
EU-Korea FTA
Observed May 27, 2026 · In force since 2011-07
Access2Markets, My Trade Assistant (tariffs and product requirements by HS code)
Observed Aug 27, 2026 · Live product query required
NTS Korea
Observed Jul 21, 2026 · Standard rate reviewed 2026-07-21
TR-KR-NL-DA3E1D+The same facet states, sources, evidence dates, missing inputs and transaction context as structured JSON.
{
"schema_version": "trade-route-answer.v1",
"kind": "trade_route_answer",
"context_id": "TR-KR-NL-DA3E1D",
"mode": "third_country",
"transaction": {
"buyer": {
"company_id": null,
"name": "Buyer in South Korea",
"country": "KR"
},
"supplier": {
"company_id": null,
"name": "Supplier in Netherlands",
"country": "NL"
},
"movement": {
"ship_from": "NL",
"origin_country": "NL"
},
"goods": {
"description": null,
"hs_code": null,
"end_use": "unknown"
},
"payment": {
"currency": null,
"bank_jurisdiction": "unknown"
}
},
"verdict": {
"state": "review",
"title": "The route is open at country level. Duty, product rules and the supplier remain to be established.",
"summary": "South Korea imports from Netherlands across a customs border. An agreement is on record, but the preferential rate depends on the exact goods and proof of origin. Classify the goods and verify the supplier before relying on any number."
},
"coverage_summary": "3 established · 1 need input · 2 not checked",
"facets": [
{
"key": "route",
"state": "established",
"conclusion": "Third-country import into South Korea",
"explanation": "Netherlands to South Korea crosses a customs border. A customs declaration is filed on entry and the importer needs a Customs-registered business number.",
"scope": "Country route only. Says nothing about the goods or the parties.",
"missing_inputs": [],
"sources": [
{
"source_id": "customs-id-kr",
"source_label": "Korea Customs Service (UNI-PASS)",
"source_url": "https://unipass.customs.go.kr/",
"observed_at": "2026-07-21",
"source_as_of": "Import mechanics reviewed 2026-07-21"
}
]
},
{
"key": "restrictions",
"state": "established",
"conclusion": "No country-level sanctions programme on record (EU)",
"explanation": "No country-level programme of EU covers Netherlands or South Korea in our sanctions register (register entries reviewed between 2026-05-27 and 2026-10-14). EU binds the supplier itself: a seller established in Netherlands follows its own export-control and sanctions rules whatever the currency.",
"scope": "Country-level programmes only; listed persons and entities are screened per company",
"missing_inputs": [],
"sources": [
{
"source_id": "un-sc-sanctions",
"source_label": "United Nations Security Council, sanctions information",
"source_url": "https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/information",
"observed_at": "2026-08-27",
"source_as_of": "Current official programme index"
},
{
"source_id": "eu-sanctions-map",
"source_label": "European Commission, EU Sanctions Map",
"source_url": "https://www.sanctionsmap.eu/",
"observed_at": "2026-08-27",
"source_as_of": "Current official programme index"
}
]
},
{
"key": "trade_preference",
"state": "needs_input",
"conclusion": "EU-Korea FTA covers this pair",
"explanation": "The agreement is on record (in force since 2011-07). The preferential rate itself is a product question: it needs the exact HS code, the product schedule and proof of Netherlands origin.",
"scope": "Existence of the agreement only; rate and origin rules per product",
"missing_inputs": [
"Add the exact HS code",
"Obtain acceptable proof of origin from the supplier"
],
"sources": [
{
"source_id": "fta-eu-korea-fta",
"source_label": "EU-Korea FTA",
"source_url": "https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/south-korea_en",
"observed_at": "2026-05-27",
"source_as_of": "In force since 2011-07"
},
{
"source_id": "access2markets",
"source_label": "Access2Markets, My Trade Assistant (tariffs and product requirements by HS code)",
"source_url": "https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/home",
"observed_at": "2026-08-27",
"source_as_of": "Live product query required"
}
]
},
{
"key": "vat_and_customs",
"state": "established",
"conclusion": "Import VAT 10% in South Korea, Customs-registered business number required",
"explanation": "South Korea charges import VAT of 10% on goods plus freight plus duty; the importer clears with a Customs-registered business number. Duty depends on the HS code and is not stated here.",
"scope": "Standard rate on a B2B import; reduced rates, deferral schemes and duty are outside this statement",
"missing_inputs": [
"Add the exact HS code for the duty rate"
],
"sources": [
{
"source_id": "vat-kr",
"source_label": "NTS Korea",
"source_url": "https://www.nts.go.kr/english/main.do",
"observed_at": "2026-07-21",
"source_as_of": "Standard rate reviewed 2026-07-21"
},
{
"source_id": "customs-id-kr",
"source_label": "Korea Customs Service (UNI-PASS)",
"source_url": "https://unipass.customs.go.kr/",
"observed_at": "2026-07-21",
"source_as_of": "Import mechanics reviewed 2026-07-21"
}
]
},
{
"key": "goods",
"state": "not_checked",
"conclusion": "Goods not specified",
"explanation": "Without the exact HS or CN code neither duty nor product rules can be established.",
"scope": "Product-specific requirements per code",
"missing_inputs": [
"Add the exact HS or CN code",
"Describe the product"
],
"sources": [
{
"source_id": "access2markets",
"source_label": "Access2Markets, My Trade Assistant (tariffs and product requirements by HS code)",
"source_url": "https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/home",
"observed_at": "2026-08-27",
"source_as_of": "Live product query required"
}
]
},
{
"key": "company_screening",
"state": "not_checked",
"conclusion": "No supplier company selected",
"explanation": "Country information cannot establish a supplier identity. Select the exact legal entity to screen it.",
"scope": "No counterparty in scope",
"missing_inputs": [
"Select or establish the exact legal entity"
],
"sources": []
}
],
"documents": [
{
"title": "Commercial invoice and packing list",
"note": "Core shipment and valuation documents.",
"responsible_party": "Supplier",
"requirement": "Typical"
},
{
"title": "Transport document",
"note": "Bill of lading, air waybill or road consignment note.",
"responsible_party": "Carrier",
"requirement": "Typical"
},
{
"title": "Customs declaration",
"note": "Filed by the importer or a customs representative under the Customs-registered business number.",
"responsible_party": "Buyer / broker",
"requirement": "Mandatory"
},
{
"title": "Proof of origin",
"note": "Needed only when claiming the preferential rate.",
"responsible_party": "Supplier",
"requirement": "Conditional"
},
{
"title": "Product compliance evidence",
"note": "Depends on the product code and intended use.",
"responsible_party": "Supplier",
"requirement": "Conditional"
}
],
"next_actions": [
"company_passport",
"pre_payment_check",
"landed_cost",
"alternative_suppliers",
"rfq"
],
"human_page": "https://hellofapartner.com/can-i-trade/south-korea/netherlands"
}Recommended next step
Reported facts with their official sources, not legal advice.
Before contracting, verify the Netherlands supplier at the registry. Selling the other way? Can a buyer in Netherlands import from South Korea?