Black Friday and US Shopping: What Dutch Travelers Should Know

Black Friday is the biggest shopping event of the US year — and for Dutch travelers it can mean real savings on electronics, clothing and more. The catch: US prices exclude sales tax, many US retailers won't ship to the Netherlands, and Dutch customs has strict rules on what you can bring home. This guide covers when the 2026 sales happen, how US deals really work, and how to get your purchases back to the Netherlands without paying more than you saved.

What Is Black Friday in the US?

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving — November 27, 2026 this year. It marks the official start of the US holiday shopping season and is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, with retailers offering deep discounts to draw crowds.

Cyber Monday follows on November 30, 2026 and is the online counterpart: e-commerce discounts on tech, clothing and gifts. Together they form the biggest discount weekend of the American retail calendar — and increasingly the deals stretch into a full week, or even the whole month of November.

When Are the Big US Shopping Events in 2026?

If you're planning a US trip around shopping, these are the key dates and seasons:

• Black Friday — Friday, November 27, 2026: in-store and online doorbusters
• Cyber Monday — Monday, November 30, 2026: online-only deals
• Thanksgiving week (November 23-29): 'Black Friday week' — many retailers run the same discounts all week
• July 4th sales — early July: summer clearance on clothing, grills and travel gear
• Labor Day weekend — early September: end-of-summer clearance
• January 'white sales' — post-holiday clearance on home goods, bedding and winter clothing
• Back-to-school sales — July and August: electronics, backpacks and office supplies

For Dutch travelers, Black Friday week is also one of the cheapest periods to fly to the US — but one of the busiest for shopping. See our guide to US holidays and big events for what else is happening in November.

Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: What's the Difference?

Black Friday (November 27, 2026)

• Both in-store and online — physical stores open early, often from 5-6 AM
• Best for electronics: TVs, laptops, gaming consoles and appliances
• Doorbuster deals are limited stock — popular items sell out within hours
• Expect crowds: long queues, packed parking lots and sold-out shelves

Cyber Monday (November 30, 2026)

• Online only — no crowds, no queues
• Best for tech accessories, clothing, toys and travel gear
• Many retailers add free shipping for the day
• Easier to compare prices across stores while you shop

How US Sales and Discounts Actually Work

Not every Black Friday deal is as good as it looks. US retailers routinely raise prices in the weeks before the sale, then 'discount' them back to the normal price. The best way to spot a real deal is to track prices in advance with tools like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel (both track Amazon price history), or to compare the US sale price against the Dutch or EU price for the same product.

A useful rule of thumb: a US deal is only worth it if the US price plus sales tax plus shipping or customs still beats the Dutch price. Dutch prices include 21% VAT; US prices include none. That difference is often what makes US electronics genuinely cheaper — but it also means the sticker price is not what you pay.

Sales Tax: The Price You See Is Not What You Pay

Unlike the Netherlands, where VAT is included in displayed prices, US sales tax is added at the register. It varies by state and city — from 0% in Oregon, Delaware, Montana and New Hampshire to over 10% in some cities:

• New York City: about 8.9%
• Los Angeles: about 9.5%
• Chicago: about 10.25%
• Texas (state plus local average): about 8.2%
• Florida (state plus local average): about 7%
• No sales tax: Oregon, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire (Alaska has no state tax, some local taxes may apply)

On a $1,000 purchase, that is $70-100 extra. Factor it into every comparison. The Money in the US guide has more on how payments and taxes work for Dutch travelers.

Shopping In-Store vs Online as a Dutch Traveler

In-store: outlets and malls

If you're visiting the US around Black Friday, in-store shopping is an experience — but plan it. Outlet malls (like Woodbury Common near New York, Desert Hills near Los Angeles, or Sawgrass Mills in Florida) run extra Black Friday discounts on top of year-round outlet prices. Arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and bring your passport: some stores ask for ID on card purchases, and you'll need it at the airport anyway.

Online: shipping to the Netherlands

Most large US retailers either don't ship to the Netherlands or charge international shipping that eats the discount. Your options:

• Check whether the retailer ships to NL directly — Amazon.com does for some items, but shipping and import fees are added at checkout
• Use a US freight-forwarding service (MyUS, Shipito, Stackry): they give you a US address and forward parcels to the Netherlands
• Remember: anything shipped to NL is subject to 21% Dutch import VAT plus courier handling fees, even if it was a great Black Friday deal

The Dutch customs guide for US shopping explains the import rules in detail.

Bringing Your Purchases Back to the Netherlands

If you carry your shopping home in your luggage, Dutch customs allows €430 per person duty-free when arriving by air (€300 by land). Above that, you owe 21% VAT on the full value of your goods — not just the excess. Alcohol and tobacco have separate quotas.

• The allowance is per person — a family of four flying home can bring €1,720 duty-free
• Keep receipts and convert prices to euros for customs
• Gifts count toward your allowance; personal items you already own do not
• The US has no tourist VAT-refund scheme — you cannot get US sales tax back at the airport

Read the full Dutch customs rules for returning from the US and the US duty-free allowances guide before you fly.

Electronics and Big-Ticket Items: Check Voltage and Warranty

The most popular Black Friday purchases — laptops, phones, headphones — are almost always dual-voltage (100-240V) and will work in the Netherlands with a simple plug adapter. But anything with a motor or heating element (hair dryers, kettles, coffee makers, some TVs) is built for US 120V and may not work on the Dutch 230V grid without a heavy step-down transformer.

• Check the label: '100-240V' means dual-voltage and safe to use in the Netherlands
• US warranties are usually US-only — an American laptop may not be covered by the manufacturer in the Netherlands
• Apple, Dell and Lenovo have international warranty programs, but coverage must be checked per product
• If you need a local warranty, consider buying electronics in the Netherlands instead

7 Smart Shopping Tips for Dutch Travelers

1. Compare the total cost: US price + sales tax + shipping or customs vs the Dutch price — the deal must win after all extras
2. Track prices for 2-4 weeks before Black Friday with Keepa or CamelCamelCamel to spot fake discounts
3. Know the sales tax rate of the state you're shopping in (0-10%+) and add it to every price tag
4. Keep all receipts in one place and convert totals to euros for Dutch customs
5. Remember the €430-per-person duty-free allowance when flying home — spread big purchases across travelers
6. Check voltage (100-240V = safe) and warranty coverage before buying electronics
7. Pay with a credit card without foreign transaction fees and choose to pay in USD, not euros — 'dynamic currency conversion' adds 3-5%

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Black Friday 2026?

Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026 — the day after Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30, 2026. Many retailers run the same deals all week.

Do I need ESTA to go shopping in the US?

Yes. Shopping is a tourist activity, so the standard ESTA for Dutch citizens applies: apply at least 72 hours before departure, and your ESTA is valid for two years with stays up to 90 days per visit.

Can I get US sales tax back as a tourist?

No. The US has no VAT-refund scheme for tourists. Sales tax you pay in stores is not refundable. Airport duty-free shops only waive US duties on goods leaving the country unused — they do not refund state sales tax.

How much can I bring back to the Netherlands without paying duty?

€430 per person by air or sea (€300 by land). Above that, Dutch customs charges 21% VAT on the full value. The Dutch customs guide has the complete rules.

Do US stores ship to the Netherlands?

Some do, but international shipping plus 21% Dutch import VAT and courier handling fees often erase the savings. Freight forwarders like MyUS or Shipito give you a US address so you can shop from any US store.

Will US electronics work in the Netherlands?

Laptops, phones and tablets are dual-voltage (100-240V) and work with a plug adapter. Hair dryers, kettles and other high-power appliances are 120V-only and need a step-down transformer — often not worth it. US warranties are usually valid only in the US.

The Bottom Line

Black Friday in the US is a genuine opportunity for Dutch travelers — electronics, clothing and travel gear can cost 20-40% less than in the Netherlands, even after sales tax. The deals are real, but only if you compare the full landed cost: US price plus sales tax plus shipping or customs. Track prices beforehand, know your €430 duty-free allowance, and check voltage before you buy.

Planning a US shopping trip? Make sure your ESTA is ready before you book — and read the travel insurance guide so your purchases are covered on the way home. Start your ESTA or visa application here — it only takes a few minutes.