Importing Your Car from the Netherlands to the USA? Importing a Car from the Netherlands to the USA starts at a cost of $1,850 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 14 – 28 days, depending on make and model of the vehicle, the nearest departure port in the Netherlands and whether the destination in the USA is on the east or west coast. Below, our 2024 guide will explore everything you need to know about importing a car from the Netherlands to the USA.
Netherlands to US Vehicle Import Checklist
Determining Vehicle Eligibility for Import to the USA
Conforming vs. Nonconforming Vehicles
Netherlands to US Car Import Costs & Time Frame
Netherlands to US Vehicle Import Options
Additional Services
Ports Served in the US and Netherlands
Cleaning Your Vehicle’s Undercarriage
Driving Your Vehicle in the United States
Other Netherlands/US Shipping Options
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Want more information on car import services to the USA from Netherlands?
Read on below for our Netherlands to US Vehicle Import Checklist, Determining Vehicle Eligibility for Import to the USA, Netherlands to US Car Import Costs & Time Frame, Netherlands to US Vehicle Import Options, Ports Served in the US & the Netherlands, and other details on how to Import Car from Netherlands to USA.
Netherlands to US Vehicle Import Checklist
Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to import your vehicle to the United States.
More information on the process of importing a vehicle to the United States can be found here.
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Determining the Eligibility of Your Vehicle for Import to the United States
As you engage in the vehicle import process, some of the most important questions to consider include:
These questions and more will determine the costs to import the vehicle to the US, whether your car is eligible for import to the United States, and finally, whether you will need to go through additional steps to make your vehicle eligible for import. In some cases, such as temporary import for racing or other purposes, the usual standards may not apply. CFR Classic can help you through the process of determining what will be required to import your vehicle.
Conforming vs. Nonconforming Vehicles
Generally, if a vehicle already meets the requirements for import to the United States, it is because that model was originally designed for export and sale in the United States, or was manufactured in the United States for domestic sale. As such, nonconforming vehicles are required to be modified to meet all applicable FMVSS and EPA emissions standards.
Things to Consider
If your vehicle conforms to these standards, it will bear a manufacturer’s label on the engine compartment attesting to its compliance to emissions standards in English, as well as a certification label near the driver’s side door confirming that it complies to safety, bumper and theft prevention standards. You will need to complete EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 attesting to your vehicle’s compliance. Additionally, you will need the shipper’s or carrier’s original bill of lading, bill of sale, foreign registration, and other documents covering the vehicle, to be provided to your Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) inspector.
If your vehicle is nonconforming, it may still be eligible for import with modifications by a DOT-registered importer, who modifies the vehicle and certifies that it conforms to all applicable FMVSS and emissions standards. Additionally, the importer must post a bond equivalent to one and a half times the dutiable value of the vehicle (in addition to the normal CBP entry bond). A copy of the bond must be provided with the HS-7 form. The same is applicable for EPA, the list is here: EPA Independent Commercial Importers.
A nonconforming car may be shipped from the Netherlands to the United States under certain conditions, such as re-importing a previously exported vehicle, shipping a vehicle for personal use not exceeding one year, shipping a vehicle as a member of foreign armed forces, diplomatic personnel, or other exceptions authorized by the US State Department, bringing a vehicle into the country for testing, demonstration, or competition, or other special circumstances. CFR Classic can help you identify if your vehicle falls into one of these categories to Import Car from the Netherlands to USA.
Netherlands to US Car Import Costs & Time Frame
Using a baseline of a compact car being imported using the roll-on/roll-off method from the Port of Rotterdam to the Port of Los Angeles, our estimate to Import Car from the Netherlands to USA starts at a cost of $1,850 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 14 – 28 days.
However, the cost to import a car to United States can vary according to factors such as the model and make of your vehicle, your current location, the nearest departure port in the Netherlands, your shipping method of choice, availability of your chosen services and your final destination. Additionally, you’ll need to consider costs such as storage, cleaning, other vendor fees, and American taxes & duties.
Duties are levied by Customs and Border Patrol before your vehicle is delivered; if you are staying in United States and the vehicle is imported concurrently with your arrival in the country, you are permitted to import a car for up to 12 months without having to pay duties.
Taxes & Duties for Importing Cars to the United States
Generally, foreign-made vehicles imported for personal use or sale are dutiable at the following rates:
Duty rates are based on price paid or payable, and most Canadian-manufactured vehicles are duty-free. If you are a resident of the United States returning to the country from travel, work, or study abroad, you may apply your $800 CBP exemption, and those of accompanying family members, towards the value of the vehicle under the following circumstances:
To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to the United States, fill out our free quick quote form. We guarantee a response within 24 hours.
Online Quotes - Guaranteed Response within 24 Hours!
Quotes are available online for domestic and international vehicle shipping services. Depend on us for reliable and expedited vehicle relocation services - Our dedicated team of shipping specialists are always a phone call away to answer any questions you may have.
Netherlands to US Vehicle Import Options
Importing a Car from the Netherlands to USA can be performed using a shared container, a sole container or a roll-on/roll-off service.
Roll-On/Roll-Off – Vehicles will be loaded into a vessel containing a cargo area which resembles a spacious parking garage. This option tends to cost less than others. You pay only port charges and customs clearance charges together with the shipping charge.
Transits tend to be faster than with the shared container service as the vessels depart on a weekly basis.
Shared Container Service – A single container will be used to ship multiple vehicles at the same time. More fees are collected in comparison with the roll-on/roll-off method as the container must be processed, which can then be split between the various clients using the same container. Fees might include a terminal handling charge, trucking charge, charge for uploading the vehicles at a bonded warehouse and customs clearance fees.
One of the disadvantages of using this method is that its use might be subject to a longer wait, since a full load must be obtained from other clients before the container can depart.
Full Container Load – This method resembles the shared container load, except that there is only one vehicle per container. The fees payable also correspond to those for the full container load, except that they are borne by one client.
One of the benefits of using this method is the high level of security afforded to the vehicle being shipped. The vehicle will be received by professionals, and photos will be taken of the vehicle and the loading process. While it is being loaded, the container will be locked, and the vehicle will not be touched until it arrives safely at the destination. At this point, an agent will open the container and photograph the unloading process. Due to the inaccessible nature of the container, other items can also be shipped inside the car. However, it is crucial to pack all items securely as we will not be held responsible for any loss or damage.
This shipping method tends to be faster as there are weekly departures, in contrast with roll-on/roll-off services, which may not have weekly departures.
Unlike other companies, we do not use wood ramps, preferring instead to use a steel loading system that is more effective at preventing loss or damage.
Additional Services
Sourcing Vehicles – Thanks to our comprehensive list of car buyers developed over our nearly thirty years in the auto shipping industry, we can assist with vehicle purchases by sourcing for cars and buying them for overseas clients in exchange for a commission or additional fee.
Other Services – Some of the auto transport services we offer in overseas territories include domestic pickup, vehicle import assistance, tracking of your shipment, customs clearance in the USA and a full vehicle inspection report.
Ports Served in the US and the Netherlands
Departure Ports – Netherlands
The location your vehicle will depart from depends on the method of car shipping to the United States, where your vehicle is located, your budget and which services the nearest port offers. Here are the Dutch ports we can import your vehicle from:
Destination Ports – United States
We are able to import into any port in the USA, with CFR facilities in Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Miami, Oakland, and Charleston.
Cleaning Your Vehicle’s Undercarriage
Before importing your vehicle to the United States, the undercarriage must be cleaned and free of foreign soil to prevent the introduction of invasive plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. This can be accomplished through steam cleaning or other thorough cleaning methods.
CFR Classic can assist with finding an appropriate cleaner to help ensure you comply with this requirement. We do not recommend washing the interior of the vehicle as it can cause mold during transport. Vacuuming the interior is usually more than sufficient.
Driving Your Vehicle in the United States
Before driving your vehicle in the United States, ensure that both you and your vehicle comply with US licensing and registration laws. Requirements differ based on your citizenship status and the length of your stay in the United States.
Your imported vehicle should bear the International Registration Marker, and you may wish to consider acquiring an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you are a foreign national. The Netherlands is a party to the Convention on International Road Traffic of 1949, meaning that Dutch citizens can acquire an IDP and use their driver’s license in the United States.
Other Netherlands/US Shipping Options
Importing a Car from the US to the Netherlands
Importing a Car from the Netherlands to the US
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Car Shipping from the Netherlands to the US
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Cargo Shipping from the US to the Netherlands
Cargo Shipping from the Netherlands to the US
Moving Household Goods from the US to the Netherlands
Moving Household Goods from the Netherlands to the US
This information was updated in January 2024. All information, time frames, pricing, and regulations are subject to change. Please contact a sales representative for the most current rates and information.
Online Quotes - Guaranteed Response within 24 Hours!
Quotes are available online for domestic and international vehicle shipping services. Depend on us for reliable and expedited vehicle relocation services - Our dedicated team of shipping specialists are always a phone call away to answer any questions you may have.