Importing a car: What about it?

Having the vehicle examined for import, is it necessary?

If you want to have a vehicle purchased abroad fitted with a Dutch license plate, you must meet a number of conditions. One of these is an examination by the RDW. You must have the vehicle examined at an RDW inspection station. During the examination, the inspector checks whether the vehicle can be allowed on the road in the Netherlands. The inspector also establishes the data for the BPM declaration. For the BPM declaration you can then go to the Customs declaration point, which is located at the inspection station.

Technical condition and MOT check needed?

When examining an imported passenger car from an EU member state, the RDW does not look at the technical condition of the car. However, if the vehicle is (almost) subject to MOT, it must be approved for MOT. You can find more information about APK upon importation here. Is the vehicle previously registered in an EU member state where left-hand driving is common, then for the Netherlands the vehicle must be equipped with dipped beam(s) for right-hand driving. If the vehicle is equipped with one rear fog light, it must be mounted on the left or in the center. The RDW will charge additional fees for assessing these lights at the time of examination.

What required documents do I need when importing?

When examining a vehicle, you must provide the following vehicle documents :

If the vehicle was previously registered: the foreign registration certificate and a declaration of conformity, if the vehicle was not previously registered in a member state of the European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

If the vehicle was not 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 be able to prove that it meets the admission requirements. This can be demonstrated by submitting a so-called declaration of conformity. On this declaration, the vehicle manufacturer indicates that the vehicle is built according to an applicable type approval and what the technical specifications are. If the vehicle was previously registered in an EU or EFTA country, then it has already been tested for these requirements in that particular country. In that case, you only need to submit the foreign registration certificate.

Documents

During the investigation, you must submit the original and complete registration certificate from the country of origin. You may also present a CVO if the car is built in 1995 or later. If you present a CVO, all relevant (environmental) technical data will appear on the Dutch registration certificate and/or in the vehicle register. A CVO can be obtained from the vehicle manufacturer or its authorized representative in the Netherlands.

Which Member States belong to the European Union and the European Free Trade Association?

The Member States belonging to the European Union and the European Free Trade Association are:

European Union (EU) member states.
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus - Greek part only, Turkish part not
Denmark
Germany
Estonia
Finland
France
Greece
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Austria
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Spain
Czech Republic
Sweden

Member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Norway
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Switzerland

Car import from France is that possible?

There are several good reasons to import a car from France. Maybe you have lived in France for a while and are now moving back to the Netherlands, but would like to take the car with you. Or maybe you have found a special car in France that you cannot buy in the Netherlands. There is a wide range of beautiful cars in France. Moreover, it is not too far from the Netherlands. If you buy a car in northern France, you could basically drive there and back in a day.

Importing car from America is it possible?

America has a lot of unique cars that you can't find anywhere else in the world. For example, a real American, tough pickup. Or an original Caddy from the 1950s, those cars you always see driving around in movies. Is it your dream to own such a car? Then you can import a car from America. Just keep in mind that importing a car from the United States takes more effort than importing a car from the EU.

Car import from Belgium is that possible?

In terms of location, Belgium is obviously an ideal country to import a car from. Moreover, if you import a car from Flanders, you don't have to deal with a language barrier, which makes it a lot easier. In addition, importing a Belgian car has several advantages. For example, buying a car in Belgium is often cheaper and they are generally more luxuriously equipped than in the Netherlands. Importing a car from Belgium is therefore becoming increasingly popular, especially for young, used cars.

Car import from Switzerland is that possible?

Did you know that Switzerland is a popular country to get a car from? The supply in Switzerland consists mainly of well-maintained cars from the more expensive segments. Moreover, the cars often have low mileage because Switzerland is not such a large country. In addition, Switzerland has a strict inspection policy. All this makes Switzerland an interesting export country. Remember, however, that Switzerland is not an EU country. As a result, you have to deal with border import duties and VAT. This obviously affects the cost.

Importing a car from Italy is it possible?

Italy is known as a car country for a reason. You will find a wide range of fast sports cars, trendy minis and renowned family cars. Think brands like Alfa Romeo and Fiat, but also more luxurious segments like Ferrari and Lamborghini. In Italy, they know how to make beautiful cars. Did you come across a special type of car during your vacation that you can't get in the Netherlands? Then you can import the car from Italy. Don't forget to take into account the BPM amount to be paid.

Car import from Sweden possible?

Do you have your eye on a car from Sweden? Then you may be considering importing a car. Sweden is home to two well-known and popular car brands for a reason: Volvo and SAAB. It is important to note, however, that cars in Sweden are not always cheap. If you have your eye on a well-known model of a standard brand, it might pay off sooner to import it from Germany, for example. However, Swedish cars are regularly maintained and are therefore often in good condition.