Every import route has its own rules, costs and lead times. On the country pages you'll find what an import from each country costs, how the process runs and what to watch out for.
We import and ship vehicles from all over the world.
Bringing a car in from abroad sounds simple: buy it, ship it, register it. In practice an import stands or falls on the right paperwork, a complete cost calculation and a solid grasp of customs and RDW requirements. A single mistake in that chain quickly costs hundreds to thousands of euros, or weeks of delay.
Inspecting a car on the other side of the world yourself is rarely an option. We check the documents, vehicle details and seller before you pay.
RoRo or container, and from which port? The right choice decides the price, the lead time and how well your car is protected during the sea voyage.
An imported car has to meet Dutch requirements. We prepare the car for the RDW inspection and apply for the Dutch registration on your behalf.
How long an import takes varies by country: allow roughly 6 to 14 weeks from purchase to Dutch plates. These six steps apply every time, wherever the car comes from.
Before you buy, we check the paperwork, the chassis number (VIN) and the vehicle history. So you know the car checks out and what the import will cost.
Once the car is bought, we collect it from the dealer, auction or private seller and arrange transport to the port of departure.
We handle the export documents and book the shipping: RoRo or container, depending on your car and your budget.
We will collect the container from the port or the vehicle from the RoRo terminal and unload it at our site in Roosendaal or Bergen op Zoom.
We clear the car through customs, settle the import duty and VAT, and take care of the full BPM declaration.
After the RDW inspection we apply for the Dutch registration. You collect the car in Roosendaal or we deliver it to you.
Already know which car you want to import, or would you like the costs calculated first? Our specialists are happy to think along, with no obligation, before you buy.
Request a quoteThe cost of an import always comes down to the same items: the purchase price, transport in the country of origin, shipping, insurance, import duty, VAT, BPM and the cost of the inspection and registration. How much each item adds up to varies widely by country and by car.
We calculate the full picture before you buy, broken down per item. So you can see in black and white whether importing works out cheaper than buying here in the Netherlands. You’ll find indicative costs per country on our country pages; for your specific car we draw up a tailored quote.
The right method depends on value, condition, scheduling, and whether parts or luggage need to be transported. Marlog advises on the best option for each vehicle and explains how it affects your costs and risk.
Affordable and fast for drivable cars without loose parts or luggage. The car is driven on board under its own power and remains on the ship during the voyage.
Enhanced protection for classic cars, exclusive vehicles, or vehicles with loose parts. Also suitable for non-running cars. Can be booked on an exclusive or shared basis.
Send us the make, model, build year, purchase price and country of origin. You'll receive a clear indication of the transport costs, taxes and next steps, before you finalize the purchase.
We import more than passenger cars. Classic cars, motorcycles and boats each come with their own rules and tax advantages. See what's involved in importing each type of vehicle.
Contact our specialists; they would be happy to explore the possibilities with you.
ContactThe total cost is made up of the purchase price plus transport in the country of origin, shipping, insurance, import duty, VAT, BPM and the cost of the RDW inspection and registration. How much that adds up to varies widely by country: shipping from the US, for example, is cheaper than from Australia because the sea voyage is shorter. Expect roughly € 1,200 to € 3,500 for the shipping alone, depending on the country and method. Our country pages give a breakdown of every cost item per country. Want certainty before you buy? We calculate the full import cost for you in advance.
From purchase to Dutch plates, an import takes 6 to 14 weeks on average, depending on the country of origin. From the US you’re usually looking at 6 to 10 weeks, while from Australia or Asia that rises to 10 to 14 weeks because of the longer sea voyage. The biggest time factors are the shipping itself and waiting for a suitable sailing. After arrival in Rotterdam or Antwerp come customs clearance, the BPM declaration and the RDW inspection; that part typically takes two to three weeks. We keep you posted on the status throughout the entire process.
On import from outside the EU you face three charges. Import duty: for passenger cars, 10% of the value of the car plus the transport costs. VAT: 21% on that same amount including the import duty. And BPM: the amount depends on the car’s CO₂ emissions and depreciation. Exceptions apply to classics: cars 25 years and older are BPM-exempt, and classics 30 years and older in original condition often fall under 9% VAT and 0% import duty. We handle the full declaration and calculate in advance what you’ll pay in your situation.
With RoRo (roll-on/roll-off), the car is driven onto the ship under its own power and secured on a vehicle deck for the crossing. That’s usually the most cost-effective option for cars in running condition. With container shipping, the car travels inside a closed container, on its own or shared with other vehicles. That offers more protection and is the logical choice for valuable, fragile or non-running cars. A shared container is often a good compromise between price and protection. We advise per situation which method fits and arrange transport insurance for the sea voyage.
Yes. Marlog can assist you throughout the purchasing process. We provide expert advice, offer secure payment through our escrow service, and help verify the seller and documentation where possible. After the purchase, we take care of the complete import process, including transportation, customs clearance, RDW inspection, and Dutch registration.
If you’re moving to the Netherlands from a country outside the EU, you can import your own car free of import duty and BPM under certain conditions. The main requirements: you’ve lived outside the EU for at least twelve months, you’ve owned and used the car for at least six months, and you don’t sell it for at least twelve months after import. You apply for the exemption before the car is shipped. We handle the application and the entire transport as part of our removal goods service.
That depends on the model and the price difference with the Netherlands. Importing pays off above all for cars that are scarce or much more expensive here: American pickups, Japanese sports cars, luxury cars from Dubai or young electric cars from China. A favorable exchange rate or a BPM-exempt classic can make the difference too. Set against that are the import costs, which vary by country, so the answer always calls for a calculation up front. Send us the make, model and asking price: we’ll work out, with no obligation, whether the import is worthwhile for you.
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