Importing a car from abroad

Pros and cons of importing a car from abroad

Do you want to import a car? Importing a car from abroad certainly has some advantages but it is smart to consider the disadvantages.

Benefits

• Lower purchase price than in the Netherlands
• Larger choice of models and versions
• Ability to find unique cars
• Financial advantage in young or luxury cars
• Savings possible despite additional costs

Cons

• Unexpected costs (BPM, transportation, import duties)
• Time-consuming paperwork and inspections
• Technical modifications needed for non-EU cars
• Risk of hidden defects
• More difficult to inspect without a personal visit

Importing a car from the European Union

For a vehicle previously registered in a member state of the European Union (EU) or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), you can get a Dutch registration certificate. This also applies to a vehicle that has previously been registered in Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City.

You can prove this with the registration certificate from the country where the vehicle comes from. The condition is that it is a regular registration certificate with no special features.

Cost of importing a car from abroad

Importing a car involves more costs than just the purchase price of the car. Important in calculating the cost is the origin of the car: there is of course a difference in cost between importing a car from Germany or from America.

Not only are transportation costs different, but also any import duties and type approval. Are you importing a car from outside the EU? Then the purchase price also plays a role in import duties.

1. Tax (VAT) on imported cars.

When importing a car from abroad, you always pay VAT, but the amount of VAT may vary. When importing a car from an EU country, it does not matter whether the VAT is paid in that country or in the Netherlands. However, there is one exception.

If the car is less than 6 months old and/or has driven less than 6,000 km, the tax authorities may consider it new. That means you have to pay 6% VAT again, even if you have already done so in the country of origin.

When you import a car from outside the EU, you must always pay 21% VAT on the purchase price, transportation costs and import duties. A standard VAT rate of 6% applies to an import car older than 30 years.

2. Import duties for imported cars.

Are you importing a car from an EU country? Then you do not have to pay import duties. When importing a vehicle from outside the EU, you do pay import duties. For a car younger than 30 years this is 10% over the purchase value and transport costs. For cars older than 30 years you do not have to pay import duties. You then only pay 6% VAT on the purchase price.

3. Paying Passenger Car and Motor Vehicle Tax (Bpm).

In the Netherlands, you pay tax for every passenger car or motor vehicle that is registered. We call this bpm. So when you import a car, you also have to pay bpm. You can calculate the amount of bpm you have to pay yourself.

For a passenger car, you make the calculation based on the CO2 emissions of your car. Once you have calculated the amount, you can report it to the tax authorities. You used to do this at Customs. A car or motorcycle is not registered until the bpm declaration has been made and the bpm has been paid.

4. Transporting an import car

The cost of transporting a car from abroad depends on how you transport the car. Do you pick up the car yourself or do you have a transporter do it? A transporter usually sets the price based on these points:

• The distance the car has to travel
• Whether the car is easily accessible by truck or car ambulance
• Whether it involves 1 or more cars
• When transportation must be done

5. Inspection by the RDW

If you want to register a car from abroad in the Netherlands, you must meet a few conditions. One is a type approval by the RDW. An imported car must always first be type-approved by The RDW.

During this purchase inspection, an inspector checks whether the car meets all environmental and safety regulations so that the car may be driven on Dutch roads. The inspector also collects the data for the bpm declaration.

Technical condition and MOT

When examining an import car from an EU country, the RDW does not check the technical condition of the car. But if the car (almost) needs an MOT inspection, the car must meet the MOT requirements. Read more about APK when importing a car.

Car import from Cyprus, Channel Islands, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom

Was the vehicle previously registered in an EU member state where people usually drive on the left? Then in the Netherlands it must be equipped with dipped headlights for right-hand driving. If the vehicle is equipped with 1 rear fog light, it must be mounted on the left or in the middle. The RDW charges extra at inspection for the assessment of these lights.

Calculation example car import from Germany

In this example, we are importing a 2016 Volkswagen Golf with 80,000 kilometers on the odometer from Germany. The asking price there is €15,000 while a comparable car in the Netherlands costs about €20,000. That seems like a big saving but there are additional costs.

• Travel expenses (public transportation to Germany and fuel for the return trip): €150
• Temporary insurance and one-day license plate: €100
• BPM (Taxation of Passenger Cars and Motorcycles): €2,000
• RDW inspection: €140
• License plates: €50
• Tolls and vignettes (depending on route): €30

The total cost of the car including additional expenses is €7,470. The original savings seemed €5,000 but the actual benefit after import is €2,530. Check for yourself if this is worth it.

Documents for importing a car from abroad

To inspect an imported vehicle, you must be able to show the following vehicle documents:

• If the vehicle was previously registered within the EU: the foreign registration certificate.
• If the vehicle was not previously registered in a member state of the European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA): the foreign registration certificate and a declaration of conformity.
• If the vehicle was never previously registered: a declaration of conformity and proof that the vehicle was not previously registered.

If the vehicle does not have a registration certificate from an EU or EFTA country, you must show that it meets the admission requirements. You can prove this with a declaration of conformity. In this declaration, the manufacturer says that the vehicle was built according to a valid type approval and lists the technical specifications.

Has the vehicle been previously registered in an EU or EFTA country? Then the vehicle has already been checked for these requirements there. In that case, you only need to show the foreign registration certificate.

Submit a declaration of type approval data (CVO)

For the examination, you must submit the original and complete registration certificate from the country of origin. Is the car built in 1995 or later? Then you can also submit a CVO.

When you submit a CVO, all important (environmental) technical data are put on the Dutch vehicle registration certificate and/or in the vehicle register. You can request a CVO from the manufacturer of the vehicle or a representative in the Netherlands.

Consider the import car purchase contract

A purchase contract for an import car is important for legal security. It contains information about the buyer and seller, details of the car (such as make, model, year of manufacture, VIN, mileage), price, any warranties and agreements on delivery.

Always check that the information matches the car's documentation and have the contract translated if it is in another language. Preferably buy from an authorized dealer and provide copies of relevant papers such as the foreign registration certificate and maintenance history to avoid problems at import.

Applying for Dutch registration for a foreign car

Has the vehicle been approved by the RDW? Then you can apply for a Dutch license plate at the RDW. Without a Dutch license plate, you may not drive the car on Dutch public roads.

Do you still need to drive the imported car to an RDW inspection station? Then you can apply for a one-day registration plate. You can apply for the one-day registration plate immediately when you make an inspection appointment at the RDW. Keep in mind that it may take a few days before the application is processed.

This is how to arrange car transport when importing

There are a number of options for getting your new car to the Netherlands:

Driving by yourself

You can drive the car to the Netherlands yourself, but you need valid third-party insurance. For foreign license plates, Dutch insurers often do not offer this.

Transportation by a carrier

With an auto ambulance or transport company, you will have the car transported without driving it yourself or having insurance.

By sea or by plane

For cars from America, for example, you can opt for shipping containers (individual or shared). Air transport is faster, but more expensive.

Loading truck rental

With a ramp truck, you can transport a car by yourself. Do pay close attention to driver's license requirements and the weight of the car.

Transport from Spain, Italy or Germany

When picking up yourself, you have to consider costs such as fuel, tolls, vignettes, overnight stays and travel time. Transportation from Germany is easier because of the short distance.

The cost of car transport

Costs vary depending on distance, accessibility and type of transport. Prices often start around €90 from transport companies. Request a quote for an exact price.