Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Netherlands
Rotterdam is Europe's largest port and one of its fastest customs operations. We ship cars, classics, and equipment from every U.S. coast with full Dutch import handling — including BPM guidance.
Netherlands at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,200+
- Ocean transit
- 10–14 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Rotterdam · Amsterdam
- Import duty + VAT
- 10% + 21% VAT + BPM
- Classic cars 30+ yrs
- 0% duty · BPM exempt
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Netherlands: What You Need to Know
The Netherlands pairs Europe's biggest port with its most digitized customs service — vehicles routinely clear Rotterdam within 24–48 hours of discharge. What makes the Dutch market unique is BPM, a registration tax based on CO2 emissions that applies on top of duty and VAT for cars that will be registered in the Netherlands.
Crucially, classics over 30 years old are fully BPM-exempt and import at 0% duty with reduced 9% VAT — which is why the Netherlands is one of Europe's most active classic-car import hubs. Rotterdam is also the preferred discharge port for cargo moving onward to Belgium and western Germany.
Key takeaway
For modern cars, factor BPM (CO2-based) into your landed cost before buying — it can exceed the duty and VAT combined. For 30+ year classics, the Netherlands is one of the cheapest EU entry points: 0% duty, 9% VAT, no BPM.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Netherlands
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Rotterdam | 10–14 days | Weekly |
| Baltimore, MD | Rotterdam | 11–15 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Rotterdam | 12–16 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Rotterdam | 16–21 days | Weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Rotterdam | 24–30 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Netherlands from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Netherlands, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Netherlands fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Netherlands
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,200 – $1,900 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,400 – $3,400 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,200 – $4,600 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,500 – $2,500 | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Netherlands →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentNetherlands Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 10% | 21% + BPM | BPM based on CO2 output |
| Classic cars (30+ yrs) | 0% | 9% | BPM exempt |
| Motorcycles | 6% | 21% + BPM | BPM lower than cars |
| Boats & yachts | 1.7% | 21% | No BPM on boats |
| Heavy machinery | 0–4.5% | 21% | Category dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Moving to the Netherlands?
The verhuisboedel (household relocation) exemption covers one personal vehicle — no duty, no VAT, no BPM — if you've owned it 6+ months and are moving your primary residence. We handle the application.
What We Ship to Netherlands
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Netherlands's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Netherlands.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Netherlands.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Netherlands
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Netherlands Routes
New York / New Jersey → Rotterdam
10–14 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Baltimore, MD → Rotterdam
11–15 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Rotterdam
12–16 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Rotterdam
16–21 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Netherlands Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
10–14 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Rotterdam · Amsterdam.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Netherlands. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
BPM is a Dutch registration tax based on a car's CO2 emissions, charged on top of the 10% duty and 21% VAT for any vehicle that will be registered in the Netherlands. On a thirsty V8 it can exceed the duty and VAT combined, while an efficient or older car pays much less. Because it can make or break the math, we estimate BPM per VIN before you buy — not after the car has already shipped.
Rotterdam runs one of Europe's most digitized customs operations, and vehicles routinely clear within 24–48 hours of discharge once paperwork is in order. Combined with 10–14 day East Coast transit, that makes the Netherlands one of the quickest EU entry points. We pre-file your import declaration so the clock starts the moment the ship is unloaded.
Classics over 30 years old are fully BPM-exempt and import at 0% duty with a reduced 9% VAT — eliminating the tax that makes modern cars expensive here. That combination, plus Rotterdam's fast clearance, makes the Netherlands one of Europe's most active classic-car hubs. We help document the vehicle's age and condition so it qualifies on arrival.
Yes — Rotterdam is the preferred discharge port for cargo moving onward to Belgium and western Germany, and it sits inside the EU customs union, so a car cleared here is in free circulation across the bloc. We can clear at Rotterdam and arrange onward trucking, or keep the unit in transit to clear at its final country. We'll advise which path is cheaper for your route.
Yes. The verhuisboedel (household relocation) exemption covers one personal vehicle with no duty, no VAT, and no BPM, provided you've owned it for at least six months and are transferring your primary residence to the Netherlands. The BPM waiver alone can save thousands. We handle the application and align it with your shipment's arrival.
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