Import Car from USA to Netherlands

Importing a Car from the USA to the Netherlands? Car imports from the USA to the Netherlands start at a cost of $749 and take an estimated turnaround time of 14 – 28 days, depending on make and model of the vehicle, the nearest departure port in the United States, and your final destination in the Netherlands. Below, our 2024 guide will explore everything you need to know about importing cars from the USA to the Netherlands.

US to Netherlands Vehicle Import Checklist

Vehicle Import Options

Vehicle Import Approval

US to Netherlands Car Import Costs & Time Frame

US to Netherlands Vehicle Import Options

Additional Services

Ports Served in the US and Netherlands

Cleaning Your Vehicle of Biosecurity Concerns

Plating Your Vehicle in Netherlands

Other Netherlands/US Shipping Options

Are you ready to get started importing a car from the USA to the Netherlands?

Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to import your vehicle to the Netherlands.

More information on the process of importing a vehicle to the Netherlands can be found here.

As you engage in the vehicle import process, some of the most important questions to consider include:

These questions and more will determine whether your car is eligible for import to the Netherlands. Your actual tax rate is based on these details.

You should never assume your scenario is the same as someone else’s. Some vehicles such as used cars may have eligibility requirements that differ from those for newer vehicles for import into the Netherlands.

To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to the Netherlands, fill out our free quick quote form.

Upon arrival of your vehicle import to the Netherlands, the vehicle must be declared in Customs.

You’ll need the following documentation:

Taxes & Duties for Netherlands Car Imports

Prior to importing a vehicle from US to the Netherlands, verify your vehicle’s specifications and compliance with Dutch requirements. The USA is not a member state of the EU, therefore anyone shipping a vehicle to the Netherlands needs to pay certain duties.

If you are importing a vehicle to the Netherlands from the USA, your car will be subject to local customs duties as well as a value added tax or VAT levied by the Netherlands government.

However, in certain circumstances you might be able to gain exemption from paying customs duties and taxes.

Importing a Car from USA to Netherlands 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 tend to 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.

Sourcing Vehicles – Thanks to our comprehensive list of car buyers developed in 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.

Departure Ports – United States

The location your vehicle will depart from depends on the method of car transport to the Netherlands, where your vehicle is located, your budget and which services the nearest port offers. We have multiple departure locations in the USA, including Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Miami, Savannah and more.

Destination Ports – Netherlands

Here are the Netherlands entry ports where your vehicle can be imported.

Before importing your vehicle to the Netherlands, 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.

Vehicles imported from the U.S to the Netherlands must be registered. All shipped vehicles to the Netherlands must pass a safety inspection before they can be registered.

You will need the following:

• Proof of identify (passport or ID card)
• Conformiteitsverklaring, Dutch version of a certificate of conformity
• Proof of residence, usually in the form of local community registration
• A customs clearance certificate (certificaat van inklaring)
• A copy of the title of the car

Importing a Car from the US to the Netherlands
Importing a Car from the Netherlands to the US
Car Shipping from the US to the Netherlands
Car Shipping from the Netherlands to the US
Een Auto Importeren uit Amerika 🇳🇱
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.

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