You need a Dutch VAT registration as soon as your business starts to perform taxable activities in the Netherlands. This could be when storing inventory in a Dutch warehouse, importing goods from outside the EU, or supplying local goods and services. Local Dutch companies need to register immediately when starting their business operations via the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel, KVK), while foreign businesses need to register directly via the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) when conducting taxable operations without having a local branch in the Netherlands.