Customs Laboratory

The examination of substances

Initially, the Customs Laboratory had the task to examine the exact quantity of sugar in food items such as syrup. At the time, sugar was subject to excise duty, which is a tax on the import and the sale of certain items. Today, the Laboratory can determine the composition of almost all products. Not only to determine the tax category of the product, but also to verify whether any items contain drugs or other illegitimate substances. Or, alternatively, substances which are subject to the obligation of having a permit. At times, the Laboratory examines whether a product comes from protected animals, such as coral or ivory, as it is prohibited to import such products.

Location and the division of tasks

The Customs Laboratory is in Amsterdam. The Laboratory has approximately 75 people working there, divided into 4 teams. Each team consists of:

• a manager;
• technicians;
• chemists.

Scientific evidence

The managers provide leadership to their team; the technicians carry out the examinations; the chemists look at the results and draw up their conclusions in a report. Such a report is the scientific evidence for the substances found. Customs decides on the next action on the basis of that report, such as a request for payment to the seller for the product subject to examination.

Going to companies

Technicians tend to mainly work in the Laboratory but occasionally, they will go to companies to do an examination there, typically concerning clothing companies, bag manufacturers or large retail chains. The results can be reported directly and the technicians can provide extra information.

Working method

The Customs Laboratory does not examine complete consignments but it only examines ‘samples’.  At times, such samples concern small quantities of a product with the aim of deciding from what materials these are made. Every year, the Laboratory examines approximately 18,000 samples.
Safety is of prime importance, which is why every staff member must keep to strict rules and regulations. Flammable and dangerous materials are stored in special cabinets, analysts wear safety goggles and large fume hoods are used to keep the air clean. Someone who gets a dangerous substance in his eyes can rinse out his eyes with a special eyewash.

Working meticulously

Those working for the Customs Laboratory must work accurate in addition to making good plans and being well-organized. An examination may take up to 5 hours. The quality of the examination is vital as its results determine such matters as to whether someone has committed an offence or whether a product is permitted to enter the Netherlands. All of the customs services in the European Union work in exactly the same way in their Laboratories, which leads to the results being the same everywhere. This means that Customs is able to perform better and international cooperation between customs services is effectively improved.

Special knowledge

The staff of the Customs Laboratory have particular skills and expertise and they come across the most unexpected things during the course of the examinations. Such as young glass eels destined for China, the latest fashion items and exotic foods. It keeps their work surprising.