Can customs stop products without CE marking?

Yes. Customs authorities actively stop and seize products arriving in the European Economic Area (EEA) if they lack a mandatory CE mark. If your product requires a CE mark (such as electronics, toys, machinery, or medical devices), selling or importing it without one is illegal.

What Happens at Customs

When customs detects a product requiring a CE mark, they typically follow these steps:

• Detention: The shipment is held, and customs notifies you or the importer.
• Document Requests: You will likely be asked to provide an EU Declaration of Conformity and the product’s technical file.
• Refusal or Destruction: If you cannot prove conformity, the goods are usually refused entry, returned to the sender, or destroyed.
• Penalties: Selling or importing non-compliant products can lead to heavy fines and legal liabilities. For example, in the Netherlands, violations can result in fines up to 20,500 euros per offense.

Important Exceptions

Not all products require a CE mark. It is only mandatory if your specific product falls under one of the EU’s “New Approach” directives. For example, cosmetics, food, and printed books do not require CE marking, though they must still comply with general product safety regulations.