Ship Car To Amsterdam
Car Shipping Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the Capital of the Netherlands, filled with beautiful, never-ending canals, scenic parks, and historic buildings. It’s one of the top tourist destinations in the Netherlands and has become a very popular place for expats from the United States to relocate permanently. When you have relocated to Amsterdam and need to import your own personal car to the city, you’ll need the services of a professional international automobile transport company to prepare and ship the car overseas for you. Unlike moving from one state to another in the United States, you must carefully plan to ship a motorcar internationally. Your shipping agent will have the facts on customs regulations for Amsterdam and all of the information necessary to let you know what your shipping options will be and what information the company will need from you before shipment. The agent will also go over the shipping cost in great detail so you will know beforehand what you must pay before and after the automobile ships to the Netherlands.
Cost & Time Examples For Shipping a Car to Amsterdam
| To/From | Ground | Ocean | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam to (New York port) to New York, NY | $275 | $1900 | 5+16 days |
| City limits to (California port) to Los Angeles | $350 | $2800 | 5+28 days |
| Las Vegas, NV to (California port) to the area | $450 | $2800 | 5+28 days |
| Phoenix, AZ to (California port) to Amsterdam | $550 | $2800 | 6+28 days |
| Seattle, WA to (California port) to local area | $550 | $2800 | 6+28 days |
| Local delivery to (New York port) to Charlotte, NC | $575 | $1900 | 6+16 days |
| Chicago, IL to (New York port) to Amsterdam | $675 | $1900 | 6+16 days |
| Miami, FL to (New York port) to the area | $925 | $1900 | 7+16 days |
| City limits to (California port) to Dallas, TX | $1,025 | $2800 | 7+28 days |
| Houston, TX to (New York port) to Amsterdam | $1,075 | $1900 | 7+16 days |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.
*Save on ground transport costs by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.
*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.
*Prices are for one car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive, and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.
Ways to Ship to Amsterdam
The best way to ship a car internationally is through Roro or container shipping. Both types of shipping include loading your motorcar onto a cargo ship at an exit port in the United States and then shipping the car by sea to Amsterdam. Roro will take the least time to ship as the vehicle is driven onto the cargo ship, secured for travel, and simply driven off when it reaches Amsterdam. When you use a container your automobile must be loaded inside of the container and then loaded onto the cargo ship to be transported overseas. Due to periodic customs checks, containers may need to be opened, which can sometimes cause container conveyance to take slightly longer than when shipping with Roro. Some people also prefer to ship by air instead of by sea. Air Shipping is the fastest type of international shipping available for shipping a car overseas. Once you speak to your transport agent, you can work together to decide which type of shipping will best suit your motorcar or any other personal items you may need to ship to Amsterdam when you ship the automobile.
Customs Policies for Importing a Vehicle to Amsterdam
Many people often move to Amsterdam and plan to purchase a car once they relocate. They find out all too often that purchasing a motorcar once they relocate is usually far more expensive than just having their own personal car shipped to them at their new location. When you need to have your personal vehicle with you for travel throughout the beautiful city of Amsterdam, you must follow some simple customs regulations that the Government has set in the Netherlands for automobile importation. Some of the policies are as follows:
Legal residents of Amsterdam must have their car registered locally once it is in the city. If you are only going to be in Amsterdam for a short time, however, you may drive with your license plate and registration from the United States. To register your motorcar, you will need to locate the nearest RDW office. The RDW is the Netherlands' national road traffic authority. You will be able to import your vehicle from the United States without having to pay any taxes when importing as long as you have applied for and received a tax exemption permit that must be applied for in advance of import from the customs office. They will generally approve the tax exemption if you have lived in Amsterdam for at least 12 months prior to the importation of the car to the country. You also must have legally owned the vehicle for no less than six months. If you are not approved for an exemption, you must pay import taxes based on your automobile value when it reaches the customs inspection checkpoint. You will also need to pay a Value Added Tax (VAT), a Green Tax (BPM), and import duty fees when the motorcar is imported.
You can contact the Netherlands Embassy for more information on import regulations for Amsterdam as well as useful information on traveling within the city, lodging, and entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ship a car from the USA to Amsterdam?
Shipping a car from the USA to Amsterdam involves inland pickup, ocean freight, customs clearance, and port delivery. Most vehicles ship from East Coast ports like New York or Baltimore to the Port of Amsterdam. You can choose container shipping or RoRo service based on budget and vehicle type. Required documents include the vehicle title, passport copy, and export forms. Learn more about international car shipping.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Amsterdam?
The cheapest way to ship a car to Amsterdam is usually Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) shipping. Vehicles are driven directly onto the vessel, which lowers handling and container costs. RoRo is best for operable standard vehicles and does not allow personal items inside the car. This method is widely used for international car shipping to the Netherlands.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Amsterdam from the USA?
The cost to ship a car to Amsterdam typically ranges from $1,200 to $2,500. Pricing is driven by shipping method, vehicle size, U.S. departure port, fuel rates, and seasonal demand. Container shipping costs more than RoRo, while inland U.S. transport can add $300–$800. For pricing variables and averages, see our car shipping rates.
What documents are required to import a car into the Netherlands?
Importing a car into the Netherlands requires the original title, bill of sale, passport copy, and export declaration. Dutch customs may also request proof of ownership duration and confirmation that the vehicle meets EU compliance standards. Import taxes and VAT may apply unless an exemption is granted. Documentation steps are part of the international car shipping process.
How long does international car shipping to Amsterdam take?
International car shipping to Amsterdam generally takes 3–6 weeks from pickup to port delivery. Ocean transit averages 10–14 days, while export processing, customs clearance, and inland transport add time. Peak summer demand and holidays can cause delays. Container shipments may take slightly longer than RoRo due to consolidation schedules.
Can I ship a non-running or classic car to Amsterdam?
Yes, non-running and classic cars can be shipped to Amsterdam, but container shipping is typically required. Inoperable vehicles need special loading equipment, which increases cost. Classic and high-value cars benefit from added protection against salt air and handling risks. These shipments often use enclosed containers similar to enclosed auto transport.
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