Trip to Holland?

[ericdockum]

Looks like I may be making a short visit to Holland sometime soon by car. Probably Delft and Utrecht area. So, obviously....... taking the opportunity..

Anyone know any good wood/tool suppliers in the area that would be worth a short diversion? Anything special (or cheap) I should be looking for?

Also anyone know if I was to buy some blanks over there would I need all sorts of paperwork to bring them into the UK? I have tried to find out on the govt. websites, but they seem to be aimed at people running a business, not bringing in a few (prepared blanks). I would probably not bring any with bark on just to avoid problems.

Thanks,

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It's The Netherlands not Zaire - why do you anticipate problems?

 

[Rhossydd]

Have a look at The UK Border agency's document "Bringing fruit, vegetable and plant products into the UK"
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 2k&cad=rja

The important bit is;"Natural wood –non-manufactured wood
From listed European and Mediterranean countries, you are allowed a maximum of 5 pieces without bark, each no more than 1 metre in length."

From that anything more would likely count as a commercial enterprise and be subject different import controls and conditions.

So probably prudent to try to get any wood sold with a receipt that shows it's species and origin.
Customs officers are people you REALLY don't want to upset, they have sweeping powers and can make transit through ports a complete nightmare if they suspect anything suspecious.

 

[woodfarmer]

that works out at 3x 300mm bowl blanks per metre. so 15 bowl blanks.. but then that would be each so how many in your car ???

I wouldn't worry they are interested in immigrants, firearms and anything sharp .

 

[Rhossydd]

that works out at 3x 300mm bowl blanks per metre. so 15 bowl blanks.

The wording is 5 PIECES.

I wouldn't worry they are interested in immigrants, firearms and anything sharp .

Don't be complacent. They still have to do completely random checks that can and do involve anyone. Also remember that the Netherlands have relaxed policies towards drugs, so anyone passing through there might attract more attention than other places in the EU.

 

[NickWelford]

Don't forget the curry ketchup and frites mayonnaise. Aldi, or others. Beer is still cheap too......

 

[ericdockum]

Thanks for the thoughts folks, and the link.

I had ended up at the defra and other places, and missed out on the Border Agency. I guess out of 5 x 1m pieces I can get quite a few blanks. Interestingly the diameter is not mentioned..... anything under 1 m should be ok then.

I did have a problem going the other way once, when the Dutch customs confiscated and destroyed a tray of 18 Cadburys Creme Eggs because they contained cream, and therefore might transmit BSE. I pointed out that the creme filling was a sugar fondant, and it was spelt differently, to no avail. I further explained I was unlikely to run into a field and force feed a cow with one, but I guess something got lost in translation. The Kids were unlucky that Easter.

Apart from a Patatje Oorlog at the chippy, I plan to bring back some Dutch coffee. Although that might attract the drugs squad .

I have been looking for turning suppliers close to my destination, but not found much.

Thanks,

 

[marcros]

Is there much timber that is native to the Netherlands that is not readily available here?

 

[Gerard Scanlan]

Hello Erik,

There are a few specialist suppliers in the Netherlands but they are not near to Delft/Utrecht. Amsterdam has a specialist timber merchant, as does Arnhem. Arnhem also has the best handtool supplier http://www.baptist.nl in the country (and it is good but no bargins). You just missed an open day at a great timber supplier in Zwolle https://nl-nl.facebook.com/MasaveHout last weekend but he may open for you if you contact him and tell him what you are looking for. He has better prices than most as although he has a fairly big business he runs it to cover his costs not to make a profit. You have highlighted a problem in the Netherlands. There are not a lot of furnture timber suppliers. Most turners scratch around for trees for gardens anyway to keep the cost down. Sorry I can't give you any better news.
I think those customs officers must have had a sweet tooth. How on earth did you get stopped entering the Netherlands from the UK?

 

[woodfarmer]

that works out at 3x 300mm bowl blanks per metre. so 15 bowl blanks.

The wording is 5 PIECES.

I wouldn't worry they are interested in immigrants, firearms and anything sharp .

Don't be complacent. They still have to do completely random checks that can and do involve anyone. Also remember that the Netherlands have relaxed policies towards drugs, so anyone passing through there might attract more attention than other places in the EU.

I travel to/from Uk to France several times a year. Some times they search my car. but never any problems. They are only interested in the above. Oddly both ways ie into or out of UK. I carry everything from eggs, plants in pots and all manner of stuff, lathes motorcycles, whatever. no problems.

Re 5 pieces.. Hot Glue ???

How long has it been since you entered The Netherlands, over the past ten years or so I have done it often as the main road from Antwerp to Germany passes through the Netherlands and there are no checkpoints, you are unlikely to notice the transition from Belgium to There as I have been shopping in the Netherlands from Antwerp several times.

Mind you it could be different travelling by air. I find the security there so hassling it is quicker and easier by ferry or Train.

 

[Rhossydd]

The question was what is officially allowed to be brought in and if any documentation is needed. So let's try to answer that correctly eh?

The chances are that you won't get searched crossing an internal EU border and within mainland Europe it's almost unheard of. Crossing into and out of the UK searches are more likely. Mostly they are looking for more serious issues than someone importing too much timber, but that doesn't mean it will never be a problem for anyone.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Is there much timber that is native to the Netherlands that is not readily available here?

:lol: DUTCH ELM :lol:

 

[EnErY]

Is there much timber that is native to the Netherlands that is not readily available here?

:lol: DUTCH ELM :lol:

:lol: :lol: Trust You Vic or a pair of clogs
Bill

 

[ericdockum]

I have in fact lived in the North of the Netherlands (Drenthe) for a total of 9 years, in two hitches, and two of my kids were born there. I have therefore made quite a few trips Harwich - Hoek, in later years with cats on pet passports, all without too much difficulty, however I don't think the customs tend to stop families in cars rammed full of the usual gear it seems necessary to travel with if you have kids. Last time must have been about 8 years ago. The practice then was that they would seem to target certain cars, or seemed to operate on stopping one every tenth car or so. Worst time was when there was BSE in the UK, they had the army on the dock at the Hoek as well as the customs, and turned every car over. Quite possibly different now.

Might also be different for a single bloke in an almost unladen car, who has visited Holland for a short period, and has a aroma of Douwe Egberts coffee in the car.

All my time in the Netherlands was before I got on the slippery slope of woodturning, buying gouges and eyeing skips as possible sources of wood. So although I lived there for quite a while I know nothing of what is available turning wise there.

thanks all,

 

[chipmunk]

I recently brought some seasoned timber back through Heathrow in my hold baggage from Switzerland (outside EU) and took it through the red channel with an intention to declare it.

After spending a few minutes on the phone provided (yes the red channel was unmanned) to explain why I thought I might need to declare it they sent me on my way without even looking at it.

Ash die-back? Sudden oak death? Never heard of 'em
Jon

 

[woodfarmer]

I recently brought some seasoned timber back through Heathrow in my hold baggage from Switzerland (outside EU) and took it through the red channel with an intention to declare it.

After spending a few minutes on the phone provided (yes the red channel was unmanned) to explain why I thought I might need to declare it they sent me on my way without even looking at it.

Ash die-back? Sudden oak death? Never heard of 'em
Jon

A friend of mine regularly goes back to the UK with his transit pickup full of French oak. He makes beautiful custom Kitchens with it.

 

[Grahamshed]

A sacrilegious thing to say on here but for once...... forget the wood and bring back a car full of Frikadella.