Finding American Products in the Netherlands for US Citizens
Three weeks after arriving in the Netherlands under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), we stood in the condiment aisle of Albert Heijn staring at rows of unfamiliar bottles. No ranch dressing. No A1 sauce. No Cholula. Just mayonnaise in every possible variation.
That was the day we realized: finding American products in the Netherlands is a skill you have to develop.
After living here and exploring every option from specialty shops to online ordering, here's our complete guide to finding a taste of home.
Specialty American Stores
Kelly's Expat Shopping
This is the one every American expat learns about first, and for good reason. Kelly's has locations in Amsterdam (Rozengracht) and a larger warehouse in Beverwijk.
What you'll find: Reese's, Kraft Mac and Cheese, ranch dressing mix, Pop-Tarts, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, pancake mix, brownie mix, canned pumpkin, root beer, and hundreds of other American staples.
The catch: Prices are two to three times what you'd pay in the US. A box of Kraft Mac and Cheese runs about 5 euros. A jar of Skippy peanut butter is around 7 euros.
Online: They deliver throughout the Netherlands at kellysexpatshopping.nl.
Our verdict: Worth it for specific cravings, but don't do your weekly shopping here or you'll go broke.
Pro Tip: The Beverwijk warehouse location has a bigger selection and slightly lower prices than the Amsterdam shop. If you're stocking up, make the trip.
Sterk
Sterk has multiple locations across Amsterdam and carries a mix of international products, including American items. The selection is smaller than Kelly's, but the stores are more conveniently located. Good for quick grabs when you need something specific.
Tjin's Toko
This international grocery in Amsterdam carries American products alongside Asian and Surinamese food. Good for hot sauces, certain snacks, and baking supplies.
Amazing Oriental
With locations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, Amazing Oriental is primarily an Asian supermarket but stocks a surprising number of American products, especially sauces, snacks, and drinks.
American Book Center (ABC)
Not primarily a food store, but the bookshop on Spui in Amsterdam has a small selection of American snacks near checkout, plus American magazines and greeting cards. Good for browsing books and grabbing some Reese's.
Marqt
Multiple locations in Amsterdam. Organic and specialty foods, including some American brands like maple syrup and quality peanut butter. More expensive than regular supermarkets, but better selection of American-style products.
Online Options
Amazon.de
German Amazon delivers to the Netherlands and carries a solid range of American products. You can find American candy, snacks, sauces, and pantry staples.
Shipping: Usually 3 to 10 euros, or free with Prime. Delivery takes two to five days.
Our tip: Set the site language to English. You're shopping German Amazon, so the selection differs from the US version, but it's better than you'd expect. We order regularly.
Kelly's Online Shop
kellysexpatshopping.nl delivers throughout the Netherlands. Same products and prices as the physical store, with delivery to your door.
iHerb
Good for health-oriented American products: protein bars, supplements, natural snacks, and organic goods. Shipping varies but is often free above a certain order amount.
Package Forwarding Services
Services like MyUS.com, Shipito, and Planet Express give you a US mailing address. You order from American websites, they forward the package to the Netherlands.
The reality: Shipping plus customs duties can double the cost. Packages over 150 euros get hit with VAT and customs fees. Only worth it for things that are truly unavailable in Europe. For more on this topic, see our guide to shipping packages between the US and Netherlands.
What Regular Dutch Supermarkets Carry
Don't overlook the standard grocery stores. They have more American products than you'd expect.
Albert Heijn: Oreos, Heinz ketchup, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, some American cereals (Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Cheerios), Lay's chips (different flavors), Doritos, Chips Ahoy, and decent peanut butter. The biggest Dutch chain with the most American options.
Jumbo: Similar to Albert Heijn with a slightly different international selection. Their international aisle varies by location.
Lidl: Runs occasional "American Week" promotions with themed products like hot dog buns, BBQ sauce, and American-style snacks. Worth checking when it happens.
Aldi: Very limited American products. Cheap, but don't go here expecting anything from home.
For a full breakdown of Dutch grocery shopping, check out our Dutch grocery shopping guide for Americans.
Category-by-Category Guide
Peanut Butter
Every supermarket has it. Dutch brands (Calve is the most popular) are slightly less sweet but genuinely good. American brands like Skippy and Jif are at specialty stores for 6-8 euros. We buy Calve now and don't miss Jif.
Sauces and Condiments
This is where we miss the US most. Ketchup and mustard are easy. But there is no ranch dressing. This is the biggest complaint from Americans. Heinz 57, A1, and BBQ sauces are available at specialty stores. We make our own ranch now with seasoning packets we brought from the US.
Breakfast Cereal
Basic cereals (Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Cheerios) are in regular supermarkets. But no Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, or most fun American cereals. Kelly's has a wider selection. We've adjusted to Dutch breakfast: bread with cheese or hagelslag.
Candy and Chocolate
M&Ms, Snickers, and Twix are in regular supermarkets. Reese's and Hershey's are at specialty stores. But honestly, Dutch chocolate is objectively better. We've become fans of Tony's Chocolonely and Verkade.
Chips and Snacks
Lay's (different flavors), Pringles, and Doritos (limited flavors) are available. No Cheetos, Fritos, or most American chip brands. Dutch borrelnootjes and stroopwafels are excellent alternatives.
Mexican Food Ingredients
This is our biggest food disappointment. Old El Paso taco kits are in supermarkets, but good tortillas, decent Mexican cheese, and a proper hot sauce selection are nearly impossible to find. We make tortillas from scratch now and order from Amazon.de.
Baking Ingredients
Flour, sugar, and butter are everywhere. But vanilla extract is expensive and different, chocolate chips are limited, and brown sugar is a different type. Dutch flour is different and measurements are metric, so recipes need adjustment.
Coffee
Dutch coffee is good. Starbucks beans are at specialty stores. No Dunkin' or Folgers. We've adjusted and actually prefer Dutch coffee now.
Soft Drinks
Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Fanta everywhere. Dr Pepper at some stores. Root beer at specialty stores only. No Mountain Dew or most regional sodas.
Medications and Toiletries
Paracetamol (Tylenol equivalent) and ibuprofen are available. But specific US medication brands and some over-the-counter medications are hard to find. You'll find equivalents for most things, just not the exact brands.
What We Wish We Knew: Bring ranch dressing seasoning packets in your luggage. They weigh nothing, last forever, and you can make ranch with Dutch buttermilk and mayo. We wish we'd packed twenty of them.
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Book a CallWhat to Bring in Your Suitcase
Based on our experience, these items are worth the luggage space:
Definitely bring: Ranch seasoning packets, your favorite hot sauce, taco seasoning, vanilla extract (expensive here), specific medications you rely on (3-6 month supply), favorite beauty products if you're particular.
Consider bringing: Favorite snacks to ease the transition, baking ingredients you use often, specific brands you can't live without.
Skip these: Anything heavy, anything perishable, anything you can order from Amazon.de, anything available at Kelly's (expensive but accessible).
For tips on celebrating holidays with American ingredients, see our guide to celebrating American holidays in the Netherlands.
Dutch Alternatives Worth Trying
Instead of fighting to find every American product, try these Dutch alternatives:
Calve peanut butter instead of Jif or Skippy. Slightly less sweet but genuinely good. We switched permanently.
Tony's Chocolonely instead of Hershey's. Dutch chocolate is objectively better. This is an upgrade, not a compromise.
Stroopwafels instead of Pop-Tarts. Warm one on top of your coffee mug for two minutes. You'll never go back.
Dutch cheese instead of processed American cheese. You're in the Netherlands. The cheese here is incredible.
Fritessaus instead of ranch as a dip. It's not the same thing at all, but it fills the "dip everything in something creamy" role.
Tijgerbrood or volkoren instead of American bread. Dutch bread is different but good.
Dutch coffee instead of Folgers. Give it a chance. You'll likely prefer it.
Eating Out: American Food in the Netherlands
If you're craving American food but don't want to cook:
Burgers: The Butcher, Burger Bar (multiple locations), Lombardo's.
BBQ: Pendergast, Boca's (Tex-Mex BBQ).
Mexican: Los Pilones (best in Amsterdam, still not great), Taco Cartel.
Breakfast/Brunch: Bakers & Roasters (American-style brunch), Dignita.
Manage your expectations. American food in the Netherlands is expensive and not quite right. But it's there when the craving hits.
The Adjustment Curve
The first month, you'll spend too much money at specialty stores trying to feel normal. By month three, you'll have found your routine and started trying Dutch alternatives. By month six, you'll be eating hagelslag on bread for breakfast and wondering why you ever needed Lucky Charms.
You won't find everything. That's part of living abroad. But between specialty stores, online shopping, and Dutch supermarkets, you can get close enough to satisfy most cravings.
And honestly? Some of the Dutch alternatives are better than what you left behind.
FAQ
Q: Can I get everything from US Amazon shipped here?
A: No. US Amazon doesn't ship most items internationally. You'd need a forwarding service, which is expensive. Use Amazon.de instead.
Q: Is it cheaper to bring American products in my luggage when I visit the US?
A: Sometimes, if you're visiting anyway. But don't make a special trip just for products.
Q: Will I get used to Dutch products?
A: Probably. Most people adjust within 6 months. Some things you'll always miss, but you'll find substitutes for most.
Q: Should I stock up before moving?
A: Bring some comfort items for the first month, but don't go crazy. You'll figure out what you actually need once you're here.
Q: Are American products at specialty stores authentic?
A: Yes. Stores like Kelly's import real American products. They're just expensive because of import costs.
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