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The twenty imports Netherlands is best placed to replace.

Netherlands imported USD 502bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 425bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 20bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
374products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
1705products Netherlands already exports well
2617product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

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

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Netherlands does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Uranium: natural uranium and its compounds, alloys, dispersions (including cermets), ceramic products and mixtures...HS 284410

    Comes fromCanada 63%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUranium: enriched in U235, plutonium, their compounds, alloys... (exports USD 1.9bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well10

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Canada supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 1.3bnup 199% on 2022
  2. 2

    Furniture: wooden, for kitchen useHS 940340

    Comes fromGermany 88%, 63 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBuildings: prefabricated, not of wood (exports USD 308m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 40m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 3.1bn
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 476m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Germany supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 476mdown 22% on 2022
  3. 3

    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 strengthTractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only... (exports USD 5.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 82m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 47 per cent (1); Belgium supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 1.3bndown 5% on 2022
  4. 4

    Medicaments: containing hormones (but not insulin), adrenal cortex hormones or antibiotics, for therapeutic or...HS 300439

    Comes fromSwitzerland 56%, 54 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in... (exports USD 12bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 835m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 671m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 937m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Switzerland supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 937mdown 22% on 2022
  5. 5

    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 strengthTractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only... (exports USD 5.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 424m; 12 more lines in the heading, USD 22bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 937m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 38 per cent (1); Germany supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 937mup 19% on 2022
  6. 6

    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 strengthPaper or paperboard: waste and scrap, of unbleached kraft paper or... (exports USD 177m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 276m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 1.4bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 591m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Sweden supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 591mdown 9% on 2022
  7. 7

    Tin: unwrought, not alloyedHS 800110

    Comes fromBolivia 41%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTin: unwrought, alloys (exports USD 17m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 73m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 535m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Bolivia supplies 41 per cent (1).

    USD 535mdown 9% on 2022
  8. 8

    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: pallets, box pallets and other load boards: pallet collars (exports USD 207m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 36m; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 709m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 441m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Sweden supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 441mdown 21% on 2022
  9. 9

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

    Comes fromPoland 43%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEthylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific... (exports USD 1.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 43m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 362m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 393m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Poland supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 393mup 50% on 2022
  10. 10

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230641

    Comes fromGermany 72%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding (exports USD 2.6bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 85m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 303m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Germany supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 303mup 2% on 2022
  11. 11

    Glass: multiple-walled insulating units of glassHS 700800

    Comes fromGermany 70%, 47 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass fibres: chemically bonded fabrics (exports USD 104m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 12m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 274m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Germany supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 274mup 14% on 2022
  12. 12

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

    Comes fromGermany 71%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSalt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride... (exports USD 378m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 19m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 283m
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 202m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 40 per cent (1); Germany supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 202mdown 0% on 2022
  13. 13

    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 strengthEthylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific... (exports USD 1.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 61m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 96m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 159m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Germany supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 159mdown 3% on 2022
  14. 14

    IodineHS 280120

    Comes fromChile 99%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUranium: enriched in U235, plutonium, their compounds, alloys... (exports USD 1.9bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 31m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well5

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 137m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Chile supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 137mup 89% on 2022
  15. 15

    Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kgHS 880240

    Comes fromGermany 39%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUnmanned aircraft: for remote-controlled flight only, for other than... (exports USD 193m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 313m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 206m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 2.5bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1).

    USD 2.5bndown 6% on 2022
  16. 16

    Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690

    Comes fromGermany 22%, 155 source countries
    Nearest export strengthEthylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific... (exports USD 1.4bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.8bn; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 269m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 2.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 2.1bnup 0% on 2022
  17. 17

    Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kNHS 841112

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 36%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines and apparatus of a kind used solely or principally for the... (exports USD 19bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 733m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.6bn
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 2.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 2.1bnup 63% on 2022
  18. 18

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Comes fromGermany 22%, 112 source countries
    Nearest export strengthTractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only... (exports USD 5.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.6bn; 13 more lines in the heading, USD 4.9bn
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.7bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 1.7bndown 12% on 2022
  19. 19

    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 strengthCommunication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations)... (exports USD 8.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1.2bn; 1 more line in the heading, USD 187m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bnup 3% on 2022
  20. 20

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

    Comes fromBelgium 32%, 81 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel: structures and parts thereof, doors, windows and... (exports USD 338m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 996m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 391m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Netherlands's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bnup 5% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products 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%
  • Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted imports USD 4.1bn, exports USD 695m, top source Ivory Coast 30%
  • 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%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 2617 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.

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 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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