Q&A

I want to do business in the United States. How should I start?

Check out this Playbook for people who would like to do business in the US. this page is developed by the Dutch government, and provide some useful first tips. Additionally, feel free to contact us or one of the local NABC member organizations in our network.

Where can I find a list of companies that are active in my sector?

The International Trade Administration within the US Department of Commerce has a lot business and sector information. If you know in which city or county you would like to operate your business, you can also search the Internet for local chambers of commerce or contact the appropriate consulate.

You can also use a paid resource to provide this information. We recommend the following:

‍Dun and Bradstreet can provide intelligence on a specific company.
‍Hoover’s, which is a subsidiary of Dun and Bradstreet, can provide a list of companies and products.
Grey House Publishing prints an annual directory of business information resources.
‍IBISWorld

‍We also recommend checking with the Better Business Bureau, which collects consumer complaints, before doing business with a company. This is not 100 percent reliable since customers have to file a complaint, but it can help narrow the search for a solid partner.

Where can I find a list of Dutch companies active in the US?

http://nlintheusa.com/economic-ties/ lists Dutch companies that are active in each states. The list is not exhaustive, but it does provide an overview of where Dutch companies are active. You can also check out http://nlintheusa.com/agrifood/ for a list of Dutch agribusiness and food companies in the US.

Where can I find sector-specific business information?

Almost every major sector in the United States has a trade association, and they are all online. The US government maintains a helpfullist. In addition, the International Trade Administration within the US Department of Commerce has a lot sector information.

You can also use a paid resource to provide this information. We recommend Hoover’s, which is a subsidiary of Dun and Bradstreet, or IBISWorld. You can also contact us or contact your local NABC member organization.

Where can I find statistical information on the US economy?

The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides US economic accounts data.
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The Federal Reserve provides economic and financial data.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides data on the labor market.
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The Energy Information Administration provides data on the energy market.
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The UN Comtrade Database provides trade statistics dating back to 1962.

I’m traveling to the US for business. What kind of visa do I need?

Visit the website of the US consulate in Amsterdam for information on visa requirements. Other useful websites include Bureau of Consular Affairs and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. For further questions, please contact us and we can provide you with a list of lawyers and other service providers who can provide further information or help you obtain a visa.

Do you have a list of distributors in the US?

The Dutch government helps Dutch businesses identify potential business partners abroad. The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has a list of its members, and that can be a good start. In addition, distributors are organized by sector, so an Internet search for "beer distributors" or "restaurant supply distributors," for example, will also give you many leads. We are also happy to put you in touch with U.S.-based (Dutch) consultants who work with Dutch companies to help them identify business partners, distributors, suppliers, etc. Please contact us , or contact one of our local NABC member organizations.

I want to set up a business in the US. What laws and regulations do I need to take into account?

A good place to start is our guide, "Legal Aspects of Doing Business in the US." You can also visit the International Trade Administration.

Bear in mind that each state has its own rules on health, tax, environment, regulatory, labor, etc. Thus, location decisions can be affected by those factors. Each state has a Department of Commerce, Department of Business, or a Department of Economic Development. We recommend you go to the website of the state you are interested in, and search for one of these departments. Find a list of state websites.

Finally, hiring a tax attorney and/or other tax advisor to advise you on these location decisions is crucial.

Please contact us or your local NABC member organization for a list of legal and tax service providers that frequently work with Dutch clients.

How can the Dutch American friendship treaty benefit my company? What about the bilateral tax treaty between the Netherlands and the USA?

The Dutch-American friendship treaty is a letter of intent, and has therefore no legal consequences or direct benefits for Dutch companies. The Bilateral Tax Treaty between the Netherlands and the USA has a number of direct consequences for Dutch companies doing business in the United States. We recommend that you contact your attorney or tax advisor to discuss this in further detail. Please contact us or your local NABC member organization if you would like to receive our list of legal and tax service providers that frequently work with Dutch clients.

I want to transport certain products or materials. What permissions do I need?

Visit the Department of Transportation for the regulations on transporting certain materials or products, and Customs and Border Protection for everything you need to know about importing to and exporting from the US. Please note that depending on the product, certain product or sector-specific rules and regulations may also apply. We recommend that you contact your attorney to discuss this in further detail. Please contact us or your local NABC member organization if you would like to receive our list of attorneys and other legal service providers who frequently work with Dutch clients.

I am looking for someone to help efficiently set up my administrative, financial, and/or HR functions in the U.S. Who should I contact?

We have a list of potential service providers in this regard. Please contact us or your local NABC member organization if you would like to receive further information.

I have a dispute with a company. Where can I get legal assistance?

Please contact us or your local NABC member organization if you would like to receive our list of attorneys and other legal service providers who frequently work with Dutch clients.