Ship a Car to the Netherlands from the USA: From $1,100, Plus the New 0% Duty Rule

Container rates to the Netherlands start at $1,100 port to port (New Jersey to Rotterdam). The rate table above lists every route to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, including California sailings routed via Antwerp. The Rotterdam agent's destination charges for a car in a container run €750–€850, before duty, VAT, storage and delivery. Use our calculator for an instant rate on your exact vehicle and route.

It depends on where the car was built and on customs. Since July 1, 2026, the EU has a 0% duty on US-built cars under Regulation (EU) 2026/1455, in effect through December 31, 2029, but the customs office handling the import decides whether to grant it. Current guidance ties the 0% to a certificate of origin, which new cars usually have and a classic built 30 years ago usually does not. Without it, the car pays 10% of its value plus freight, unless it qualifies as a collector vehicle. Origin follows the factory, not the badge: a Detroit-built Viper is US-built, a Brampton-built Challenger is not. Check where your car was built.

Import VAT is 21%, charged on top of the car's value, freight and duty. Cars 30 years or older that qualify as collector vehicles pay 0% duty and the reduced 9% VAT rate. Registering any car at the RDW adds BPM.

From drop-off at the US warehouse to release in the Netherlands, the fastest route is 29–32 days from New Jersey, documents and customs clearance included. The transit timeline above shows every route; California sailings are routed via Antwerp and take longest. Air freight is also available, from $10,900, with 10–14 days in transit.

We load Netherlands-bound containers at our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey, and at a partner facility in Texas, sailing to Rotterdam or Amsterdam. California sailings are routed via Antwerp. We collect from any US ZIP and bring the car to the nearest one.

Yes. A US-registered car driven by a non-EU resident can stay in the EU under temporary admission for up to 6 months in any 12-month period, with no duty, VAT or BPM. Our Rotterdam agent files the temporary admission declaration when the container clears. Keep the US registration, plates and a European insurance policy in place. On the way back the car enters the US as US goods returned with no duty. Tell us at booking so both entries are set up as temporary.

Yes. Cars 30 years or older that qualify as collector vehicles get 0% duty and the reduced 9% VAT rate. The car must still pass RDW inspection before registration. Classic vehicles 50 years or older are exempt from the APK roadworthiness test.

A car imported permanently must pass RDW inspection before it can be registered. The RDW checks technical compliance with Dutch and EU safety rules, the lighting and indicators, and the vehicle's identity; if the chassis number is missing or illegible, it must be engraved before approval. Cars from outside the EU often need lighting changes, such as repositioning turn signals, before the inspection. Registration adds BPM.

Most US auto policies do not cover international transport. Our optional Cargo Damage Protection covers the car from arrival at the US warehouse through loading, the ocean crossing and delivery in the Netherlands, at 2% of the declared value above $500, with a $200 minimum. Without it, carrier liability is capped at $500.

One car, SUVs included, fits a dedicated 20 ft container. A 40 ft is for two to four cars. Your account manager confirms the size from the year, make and model on your shipping form.

The quote covers everything from the US warehouse to the container being discharged at Rotterdam. Terminal handling, customs clearance, the agent's handling fee, duty and VAT (for permanent imports), storage after the free days, and delivery to your address are billed separately by the Rotterdam agent. For a car in a container the agent's destination charges run €750–€850 before duty, VAT, storage and delivery. Ask for their full tariff at booking.

Our Rotterdam agent is an independent Dutch customs agent we work with on every Netherlands shipment, not a WCS office. For a dedicated container you can nominate your own agent or customs broker. Give us their details at booking and we consign the bill of lading to them.