EUDR • Deforestation • Due diligence • Import • Traceability

EUDR: the deforestation regulation that raises the bar for imports

The EUDR was introduced to combat deforestation worldwide. European companies may only import products that are demonstrably deforestation-free. Without proper documentation and origin information, a shipment simply cannot enter the EU anymore. That makes the EUDR not an optional guideline, but a hard condition for international trade — and with the application date of 30 December 2026 in sight, now is the moment to prepare.

The EUDR directly touches TOP's daily work: customs matters, import and sea freight. Just like the EORI number and the right Incoterms, EUDR compliance will soon be part of the standard preparation of every shipment containing risk commodities.

Why the EUDR cannot be ignored

The core of the regulation is strict and simple: products are prohibited if they come from land deforested after 30 December 2020. This applies to imports into the EU, exports from the EU and production within the EU itself — and also when the deforestation was entirely legal in the country of origin.

The EUDR therefore demands full traceability. You must know from which plot your product originates, recorded with geolocation coordinates, and report this in advance in a due diligence statement via the European TRACES system. Its reference number belongs in the customs declaration: in the Netherlands, the NVWA checks the documents and Customs verifies on entry whether the due diligence statement is present.

Without exact origin data, a shipment can thus be stopped at the European border. That means extra administration, closer cooperation with suppliers and sharper checks before shipment — exactly the points where TOP, as a freight forwarder, makes the difference.

What companies often underestimate about the EUDR

The first misconception: "that's only about wood." The EUDR applies to seven commodities — cattle, oil palm, soy, cocoa, coffee, rubber and wood — and to derived products such as chocolate, furniture, leather and paper. A coffee roaster, tyre importer or furniture trader falls under it just as much as a timber merchant.

The second misconception: "my supplier will sort that out." Responsibility lies with the party placing the product on the EU market — the importer. You must submit the due diligence statement and be able to show that the geolocation data is correct. A supplier who cannot provide plot coordinates is therefore a direct compliance risk for your company.

And the third: timing. Collecting geolocation data from suppliers in Asia, Africa or South America easily takes months. With the application date of 30 December 2026 for large and medium-sized companies, waiting is no longer an option. Do bear in mind that the European Commission is still evaluating the effects on smaller market participants; details may still change, and TOP follows those developments closely.

EUDR or EUTR: what is the difference?

The EUDR is the successor to the European Timber Regulation (EUTR), which has applied to wood imports since 2013. The new regulation goes further on almost every point. Below is a simple comparison.

EUDR in facts: sources and methodology

The facts below come from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Dutch central government, and were verified for this page in August 2026 — after the second postponement of the application date.

What TOP means for your EUDR compliance

TOP helps you get a grip on EUDR obligations. We think along about documentation, processes and practical execution within your logistics chain: which of your goods flows fall under the regulation, which data must suppliers provide, and how do you link the DDS reference number to the customs declaration without delaying or blocking your import process.

Because TOP keeps the customs handling and the transport in one hand, EUDR compliance becomes part of the standard shipment preparation — just like the declaration itself. If you want TOP to clear goods on behalf of your company, you can easily arrange the authorisation via apply for direct representation, with real-time insight via the TOP platform with API integrations.

Want to know what the EUDR means for your goods flows? Request a customs quote, prepare your shipment via book a shipment, or schedule an introduction with TOP.

Which companies is TOP suitable for?

TOP is suitable for companies importing or exporting commodities or derived products under the EUDR. These can be SMEs trading in coffee, cocoa or wood products that are only now discovering the regulation affects them too, but also multinationals that need to make their worldwide supplier chain EUDR-proof.

Boards mainly want certainty that shipments do not get stranded at the border. Logistics managers want to know which steps must be arranged when. Compliance and procurement look at the data chain towards suppliers. TOP understands that these interests come together in one well-prepared import process.

That is why TOP works in an advisory and practical way. No unnecessary jargon, but clear explanations of obligations, documents and next steps. For general developments in the transport sector, TOP also refers where relevant to industry information from Transport en Logistiek Nederland.

Frequently asked questions about the EUDR

What is the EUDR?

The EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) is the European deforestation regulation. Products may only be placed on the EU market or exported if they are demonstrably deforestation-free and legally produced, proven with a due diligence statement and geolocation data.

Which products does the EUDR apply to?

Seven commodities — cattle, oil palm, soy, cocoa, coffee, rubber and wood — and derived products such as chocolate, furniture, leather and paper. The complete list with HS codes is in Annex 1 of the regulation.

When does the EUDR take effect?

From 30 December 2026 for large and medium-sized companies, and from 30 June 2027 for SMEs and sole proprietorships — although that additional postponement does not apply to wood trading. The Commission is still evaluating adjustments for smaller market participants.

What is a due diligence statement (DDS)?

A statement you submit via the European TRACES system before placing goods on the market, containing among other things the geolocation coordinates of the production plots. Its reference number belongs in the customs declaration.

Who enforces the EUDR in the Netherlands?

The NVWA is the competent authority and checks documents, geolocations and the due diligence system. Customs verifies on entry and exit whether the due diligence statement is present.

What happens if I do not comply with the EUDR?

Without a valid due diligence statement and origin data, a shipment can be stopped at the European border, and the NVWA can take enforcement action under its intervention policy. Preparing in advance therefore prevents standstill and costs.

Conclusion: start now, not on 30 December 2026

The EUDR turns origin data into a hard import condition: no geolocation and due diligence statement means no access to the EU market. Collecting that data from suppliers takes time — and the application date is fixed.

TOP helps companies build EUDR compliance into their existing import process: clear steps, watertight documentation and a customs declaration in which the DDS number is included as standard. That way, your chain keeps moving — under the new rules too.

Want to know more about Trans Ocean Pacific forwarding? Visit the TOP homepage.

Last updated: August 2026. Sources: NVWA and Dutch central government. Online findability and AI readiness of this page in collaboration with HEF Digital.