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The United Kingdom (UK) continues to implement changes to its border control measures, following its departure from the European Union (EU).

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, U.S. export health certificates are now required to either follow the Great Britain model health certificates (for destinations within England, Scotland, or Wales) or the European Union model health certificates if shipping to Northern Ireland.

The Netherlands is working towards a ‘sugar tax’. As a first step, the existing levy on non-alcoholic beverages (excluding dairy, soy drinks and water) was increased to €0.26 ($0.29) per liter starting January 1, 2024.

The Netherlands, as a Member State of the European Union (EU), conforms to all EU regulations and directives. However, rules for the certification of imports are complicated and, in practice, are not always harmonized across EU Member States.

This report is an addendum to the GAIN report number E42023-0041 EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Report, November 13, 2023. It lists the Dutch import regulations and standards that are not harmonized within the EU or where the Netherlands varies from the EU standards.

In 2023, the United Kingdom continues to face a cost-of-living crisis. Price inflation remains a concern negatively impacting consumer purchasing decisions. For example, October 2023 food prices were 30 percent higher than in October 2021.