Dutch Customs said it would more closely monitor imports of large inflatable boats after several recent shipments arrived in the Netherlands from Turkey by air and land. The Royal Marechaussee intercepted two consignments, while British Customs seized 25 boats in a shipment travelling from Turkey to the Netherlands via a British airport. Dutch prosecutors said criminal networks assemble so-called smuggling packages in the Netherlands, including boats, fuel and life jackets, for delivery to people in France or Belgium. Such packages reportedly cost between €10,000 and €20,000.

The Ministry said Customs was expected to carry out risk-based checks on the boats during 2026. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate said it was working with Customs to obtain import data and establish border controls. Authorities said the boats, which are reportedly sourced from China and routed through Turkey, are often used to carry 60 to 70 people across the Channel and are unsuitable for the crossing. Although the number of people attempting the crossing was reported to be about 42% lower than in 2025, at least 22 deaths had been recorded in 2026, compared with at least 29 in 2025.