This term refers to goods that are transported via Dutch territory on their way from one country to another, while remaining in ownership of a person or entity located outside the Netherlands. Unlike re-exports, transit trade within the European Union is not included in imports and exports under the concept of change of ownership, because the goods remain in the ownership of a person or entity located outside the Netherlands.
When goods are transported through the Netherlands to or from countries outside the European Union, they are included in trade statistics under the concept of ‘border crossing’. In this case, the goods leave or enter the EU, passing through customs checks. Goods that pass between countries outside the European Union via the Netherlands are referred to as ‘quasi-transit trade’.