Shipping to the Netherlands

Shipping cargo, automobiles, and household goods to the Netherlands.

One of the biggest challenges when relocating to or from the Netherlands is transporting your car, household goods, and personal belongings.

Whether door-to-door or port-to-port, we will tailor our transport and relocation services to meet your deadlines. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Major Cities in the Netherlands:

• Amsterdam
• Eindhoven
• Tilburg
• Breda
• Rotterdam
• Utrecht
• The Hague
• Arnhem
• Almere
• Zwolle
• Groningen

* Services are also available to other cites in the Netherlands.

What is import and what rules apply to your goods?

Sweden is a member of the European Union (EU). The Union is a Customs union, which means that the member states have a common trade policy towards the countries outside it, so-called third countries. Which countries are members of the EU!

The member states employ a common Customs tariff. The purpose of this is to ensure the same duty rates regardless of which member state the goods are imported into. When we henceforth use the term import, we have in view commodities brought in from countries outside the EU, e.g. Norway or the United States.

Before you import goods you should find out what rules apply to your particular goods. In order to import certain commodities, e.g. foodstuffs or textiles, you may have to present a permit or an import license. Other examples of goods for which permits are required are arms, hypodermic syringes and needles, animals and plants of endangered species, wine and spirits.

Things to know when you are importing goods into the Netherlands

The Netherlands, on the coast of the North Sea, is twice the size of New Jersey. Part of the great plain of north and west Europe, the Netherlands has maximum dimensions of 190 by 160 mi (360 by 257 km) and is low and flat except in Limburg in the southeast, where some hills rise up to 322 m (1056 ft). About half the country's area is below sea level, making the famous Dutch dikes a requisite for the use of much of the land.

You are not liable for Dutch VAT on this transaction as the VAT charge is transferred to your customers. You are liable for Dutch VAT if you sell the goods to private individuals. When you complete your VAT return, you may then deduct the VAT you paid when you imported the goods as input tax. More information can be found here.

You are supplying goods to a customer in the Netherlands

If you, as a non-resident entrepreneur, supply goods to a Dutch entrepreneur, you do not normally have to deal with VAT, because the levy of VAT is often transferred to the buyer of the goods. If you are a non-resident entrepreneur, you make supplies in the Netherlands and you are liable for VAT on these supplies (for example, because the buyer is either a private individual or another entrepreneur who is not established in the Netherlands), you must in any event register with the Dutch Tax. More information can be found here.

You buy a new or used car in a non-EU country

If you buy a car in a country outside the European Union (i.e. a non-EU country), the car will be deemed to be imported. You are required to pay customs duties and Dutch VAT on imported goods. Therefore you must report the goods to the Customs Administration upon import. It makes no difference whether you import the car as a business owner or as a private individual.

For passenger cars and motorcycles, you must pay BPM (private motor vehicle and motorcycle tax) in addition to VAT and customs duties. BPM is a tax on the issue of a Dutch vehicle registration certificate.

More information about this subject can be found at Private motor vehicle and motorcycle tax (BPM).

Import declaration

If you import new or used cars into the Netherlands from a country that does not belong to the EU, you are required to report all such activities to the Customs Administration. If you wish to place the car in free circulation, you must submit an import declaration. You will then be required to pay VAT and may be required to pay customs duties. Anyone can import declaration with the customs authorities and pay the VAT that is due upon import. Import declaration is usually done electronically. To do so, you must use the services of a customs agent, because only customs agents are permitted to submit returns electronically.

You are required to pay the VAT and any customs duties immediately, unless you obtain permission from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration to pay the VAT by means of your ordinary VAT return.

Paying VAT by means of the ordinary VAT return

If you opt to pay the VAT by means of an ordinary VAT return, you must file an import declaration with the customs authorities, but you are not required to pay the VAT immediately.

In order to pay the import VAT by means of the VAT return you will require permission from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. To obtain that permission you must submit a written request to the tax office that is competent in your case. You will be informed when your request is granted. As soon as you have permission, you may pay the import VAT with your VAT return. You must give your VAT identification number when you file the import declaration with the customs authorities.

How does it take to ship to the Netherlands?

Time frame - Whether you are shipping a car or shipping a container of household items generally takes three to four weeks. Cars and Autos are shipped in individual containers, but many sea carriers will allow partial containers of household goods.

Please contact one of our shipping agents to discuss your auto transport and shipping needs. If necessary, we will be able to help deliver the container to your house for packing, then retrieve it for delivery to the docks. All of our agents are skillfully trained and certified.

WE ARE A TRUSTED LEADER IN INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC CARGO SHIPPING.

Since 1977 our safety records for cargo shipment delivery have exceeded all industry standards and have made us one of the most dependable shipping companies in the industry. Thus, whether you are shipping cars, vehicles, full households, individual furniture, antiques, or other goods, you will comfortable knowing that Schumacher Cargo Logistics will take care of all aspects of your relocation needs.

Get your FREE shipping quote today.