Inland revenue and Customs (The Netherlands)

Belastingdienst en Douane

Last modified: 2007-06-23 by jarig bakker
Keywords: taxes | customs |
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Belastingdienst

I spotted several times a flag of one of the most beloved government departments: at the hoist a narrow vertical stripe with the Dutch national colors (without the EU starlets), then an even narrower yellow vertical stripe; the fly is blue with italic  "Belastingdienst" in white. It's flying proudly in Amersfoort (probably 'cause nobody but a flagnut pays attention and needn't bother with tax).

This looks like an Archivexillum, as it is used for the flag of the Customs (below), probably based on the village flags in the municipality of Wûnseradiel (Fryslân province). No idea whether other government agencies use similar flags, but I would be surprised if these were the only ones. To be honest: they are quite conspicuous.
Jarig Bakker, 17 Jun 2007

Douane

Here is a dark blue flag bearing large white letters ‘DOUANE’ (Customs) filling up the central portion.
Found on the Dutch auction site Marktplaats (item no. 8572318513, seen 2 April 2007, offered by “hayfa”), the flag is described as measuring 30 cm by 50 cm and having been used.

Is it still in use?  I am asking this because Shipmate shows another one, seemingly more recent (sixth from top): There, a blue-green field bears the word ‘Douane’ in white, and has the national colours in a narrow vertical panel near the hoist (the twelve yellow stars of the European Union at the top of the blue stripe) separated from the main field by a narrow yellow vertical stripe.

Another question – are/were these used on ships?
Jan Mertens, 17 Jun 2007

Douane (new)