What are the rules for international sale of goods under Dutch law?

Dutch term: Internationale koop | Legal basis: CISG + Book 7 BW + Rome I

International sale of goods contracts involving a Dutch party are typically governed by either the CISG (UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods) or Dutch domestic sale of goods law (Book 7 Title 1 BW), depending on whether the parties have opted out of the CISG. The Rome I Regulation determines which national law applies in the absence of a choice.

The CISG applies automatically to cross-border B2B sales between parties in CISG-contracting states. It covers contract formation, the parties' obligations (delivery, payment, conformity), and remedies for breach (damages, avoidance for fundamental breach, price reduction). Matters not covered by the CISG (validity, property, product liability) are governed by the applicable national law as determined by Rome I.

Why it matters for international businesses

For importers and exporters trading through the Netherlands, understanding whether the CISG or Dutch domestic law governs their sales, and what the practical differences are, is the starting point for any sale of goods dispute.