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The twenty imports the Netherlands is best placed to replace.

The Netherlands imported USD 469bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 398bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 16bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
134products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1705products the Netherlands already exports well
1,609public purchases of goods joined to a product family, from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU)
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing the Netherlands already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in the Netherlands would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition carries public buyers from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU), 9,365 award notices from 2025-11-03 to 2026-11-02, joined to each product's customs heading through a crosswalk we authored. The buyers are shown as context and do not change the score, because award values in these records include framework ceilings and outliers that would distort it. The regional layer (where the capability sits) is built only where a country publishes regional trade by product, and the Netherlands does not publish it in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Furniture: wooden, for kitchen useHS 940340

    Comes fromGermany 88%, 63 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 40m; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 3.0bn
    Public buyers in the family196 awards from 138 buyers. Most frequent: Contractables

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 476m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Germany supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 476mdown 22% on 2022
  2. 2

    Vehicles: bodies (including cabs) for the motor vehicles of heading no. 8701, 8702, 8704 or 8705HS 870790

    Comes fromBelgium 54%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 1.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 82m
    Public buyers in the family30 awards from 26 buyers. Most frequent: Gemeente Leiden

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 1.3bndown 5% on 2022
  3. 3

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity...HS 870332

    Comes fromGermany 49%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 424m; 11 more lines in the heading, USD 21bn
    Public buyers in the family51 awards from 39 buyers. Most frequent: Politie

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 937m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); Germany supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 937mup 19% on 2022
  4. 4

    Wood pulp: chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of...HS 470321

    Comes fromSweden 56%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthKraft paper and paperboard: kraftliner, uncoated, bleached, in rolls... (exports USD 57m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 276m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 1.4bn
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 591m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); Sweden supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 591mdown 9% on 2022
  5. 5

    Wood: coniferous species, of fir (Abies spp.) and spruce (Picea spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled...HS 440712

    Comes fromSweden 42%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood: for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, not agglomerated... (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 36m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 543m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 441m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); Sweden supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 441mdown 21% on 2022
  6. 6

    Plastics: builders' ware, doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doorsHS 392520

    Comes fromPoland 43%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 43m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 362m
    Public buyers in the family47 awards from 41 buyers. Most frequent: Gemeente Rotterdam

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 393m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); Poland supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 393mup 50% on 2022
  7. 7

    Glass: multiple-walled insulating units of glassHS 700800

    Comes fromGermany 70%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 12m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 274m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Germany supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 274mup 14% on 2022
  8. 8

    Cement: hydraulic kinds n.e.c. in heading no. 2523HS 252390

    Comes fromGermany 71%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 19m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 283m
    Public buyers in the family47 awards from 41 buyers. Most frequent: Gemeente Rotterdam

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 202m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Germany supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 202mdown 0% on 2022
  9. 9

    Vinyl chloride polymers: monofilament, of which any cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1mm, rods, sticks and profile...HS 391620

    Comes fromGermany 75%, 46 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: bidets, lavatory pans, flushing cisterns and similar... (exports USD 61m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 61m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 159m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Germany supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 159mdown 3% on 2022
  10. 10

    IodineHS 280120

    Comes fromChile 99%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 31m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 137m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); Chile supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 137mup 89% on 2022
  11. 11

    Amine-function compounds: acyclic polyamines and their derivatives, hexamethylenediamine and its saltsHS 292122

    Comes fromFrance 92%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEpoxides, epoxyalcohols, epoxyphenols and epoxyethers: with a... (exports USD 107m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 29m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 133m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 72m, top 41 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); France supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 72mdown 56% on 2022
  12. 12

    Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kNHS 841112

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 36%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 733m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 824m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 2.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1).

    USD 2.1bnup 63% on 2022
  13. 13

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853710

    Comes fromGermany 24%, 135 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachinery parts: buckets, shovels, grabs and grips, for the... (exports USD 112m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.2bn; 1 more line in the heading, USD 187m
    Public buyers in the family44 awards from 40 buyers. Most frequent: Waterschap Drents Overijsselse Delta

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bnup 3% on 2022
  14. 14

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromBelgium 32%, 81 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading... (exports USD 349m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 996m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 284m
    Public buyers in the family30 awards from 24 buyers. Most frequent: Gemeente Den Haag

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bnup 5% on 2022
  15. 15

    Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including...HS 848180

    Comes fromGermany 33%, 110 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFurnaces: parts of furnace burners, for liquid fuel, pulverized... (exports USD 41m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 739m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 863m
    Public buyers in the family4 awards from 4 buyers. Most frequent: Ministerie van Defensie

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 1.3bnup 0% on 2022
  16. 16

    Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or lessHS 220421

    Comes fromFrance 29%, 70 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 153m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 274m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1).

    USD 1.2bndown 2% on 2022
  17. 17

    Lasers: other than laser diodesHS 901320

    Comes fromJapan 37%, 65 source countries
    Nearest export strengthApparatus based on the use of x-rays, including radiography or... (exports USD 202m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 134m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 69m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 905m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1).

    USD 905mup 36% on 2022
  18. 18

    Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612

    Comes fromGermany 36%, 55 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 239m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 87m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 785m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 50 per cent (1).

    USD 785mdown 25% on 2022
  19. 19

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not...HS 392010

    Comes fromGermany 32%, 69 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, for the... (exports USD 281m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 422m; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 759m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 639m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1).

    USD 639mdown 14% on 2022
  20. 20

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, other than cellularHS 392190

    Comes fromGermany 32%, 84 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 397m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 84m
    Public buyers in the family1 award from 1 buyer. Most frequent: Gemeente Amstelveen

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 596m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to the Netherlands' export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1).

    USD 596mdown 3% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products the Netherlands already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines... imports USD 14bn, exports USD 8.8bn, top source China 21%
  • Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg... imports USD 11bn, exports USD 6.2bn, top source China 78%
  • Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: catheters, cannulae and the like imports USD 6.4bn, exports USD 2.1bn, top source Ireland 49%
  • Units of automatic data processing machines: processing units other than those... imports USD 6.8bn, exports USD 3.9bn, top source United States 33%
  • Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no.... imports USD 5.1bn, exports USD 3.5bn, top source United States 51%
  • Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91 imports USD 3.5bn, exports USD 2.1bn, top source Japan 33%
  • Biodiesel and mixtures thereof: not containing or containing less than 70% by... imports USD 5.3bn, exports USD 4.0bn, top source Germany 28%
  • Monitors: other than cathode-ray tube: capable of directly connecting to and... imports USD 2.7bn, exports USD 1.4bn, top source China 57%
  • Automatic data processing machines: presented in the form of systems, n.e.c.... imports USD 1.5bn, exports USD 466m, top source Poland 35%
  • Printing, copying, and facsimile machines: machines which perform two or more... imports USD 1.8bn, exports USD 722m, top source Thailand 30%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 2464 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Public buyers, context only, never scored: 9,365 award notices from Tenders Electronic Daily (EU), 2025-11-03 to 2026-11-02, of which 2,266 were classified by the buyer as goods and 1,609 joined to a product family through a crosswalk we authored, because no official one exists. Only notices whose code names a specific product group are joined; broad division codes are left out. The join is a family, not an exact line, and the counts are a floor.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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